Aaron should have used a mirror to dress himself. . . .Or maybe his 2 year old helped him
I’ve always been “stocky.” I’m 5 feet tall and built just like my grandmother. Think Gimli, but with much less hair. I would not call myself fat, but I certainly 
have felt that way…often. Even at my peak fitness, playing NCAA softball and rugby, I was never thin. However, I was always strong. When I speak with people about their fitness or athletic goals, I’d wager big money, that everyone mentions something about looking thinner, being more built, or more toned (whatever that means). Most people focus on what they want to look like and quickly get discouraged when the mirror doesn’t show them what they want to see. So, here are a few things to remember when the mirror mirror on the wall is being an ass.
1. Check your resting heart rate. I’d wager that it’s gone down. My resting heart rate when I started crossfit was in the mid 80s. Last night I clocked in at 56.
2. Check the notches on your belt. Often your clothes will fit looser before you ever see any noticeable changes in the mirror.
3. Things you do every day have gotten easier. You’ll notice your aren’t winded when taking the stairs or you can hold your baby for far longer before getting fatigued, or in my case, I can lift a full cooler (80 pounds) without help.
4. Saddle up to the blood pressure machine at the grocery store. Notice a difference? That has gone down too.
5. I love a nap, maybe too much. However, your energy has gone up giving you the ability to fight the midday nap cravings.
6. Consistently working out has given you the ability or form more good habits. Most everyone will make lifestyle changes for the better. You’re eating better and maybe even given up some bad habits.
7. I know for sure you’re getting stronger. Go back and look at where you started with a lift or a benchmark work out and see how far you’ve come. In two years my back squat has gone from 160# to almost 200# and I’ve knocked 8 seconds off of my Fran time. (Scaled, of course, again…think Gimli. I’m not setting any land records here.).
8. Something hardly anyone ever considers is the group of people you’re sweating with have become your family. That’s one heck of a PR, new family.
9. All that sweating has dumped more of the happy neurochemicals in your brain and you’re likely having a more positive lookout on life…but if not, see number 8 for support.
10. Ok. Ok. Go ahead. Look in the mirror. You may not have a six pack or that brick house figure you want….YET, but you’re making progress. You’re changing your body composition, losing fat and gaining lean mass. It’s happening. I promise.
So, cut yourself some slack. Step away from the mirror and go sweat with your friends.