Being Fit Isn't About Getting Skinny - It's About Finding Power

It's time to stop hiding those wide hips, strong thighs and luscious ta-tas.

It's also time to throw away your scale, stop staring at your cellulite and agree that starving yourself is not an option. While you're at it, throw comparing yourself to others out the window, too.

Self-Esteem Lobotomy

Do you constantly feel like your fitness plan falls short? Never satisfied with the shape of your calves? It's probably because you're working out for the wrong reason: you want to be hot.

Fair enough, but here's why you need to get your head checked: Your exercise time is not just about making your ass smaller. It's a time to work on your inner strength and find some peace with who you are right now. Whether you're busting out push ups in bootcamp or sweatin' to the oldies, every time you work out it's a chance to practice being a stronger person. If you're not viewing fitness this way, you're missing the mark, sweetie.

Change of Heart

A hot bod comes from the inside out. Want to get crazy fit and super slim? Start by accepting where your fitness level and waist line are now. By embracing the shape of your body - and starting from a place of love - you skip over that whole part where you tear yourself to shreds with self-loathing. This week, come up with five reasons why you're bitchin'. Is it your cute pirate smile? Your perfectly-shaped bootie? Go ahead. Say it out loud: My ass is amazing. Feels good, doesn't it? Repeat as needed.

Wash Your Mouth Out

You can't have real power and talk shit about your body. Just stop that crap right now. If you feel an overwhelming need to comment about your flaws, make it sassy and positive."Damn my thighs are hot. I'm so hot I want to have sex with myself,"  is so much better than, "this leg jiggle is the reason I'm still single." It may seem silly, but your words are powerful. Use them to affirm, not to destroy (or at least use them you make you laugh). Judgment hinders positivity. If you think badly of yourself and your body, you won't strive for change. So watch your mouth, girlfriend. For every slip, donate a dollar to your local favorite charity.

Why Am I Working Out?

Why do you work out? Is your motivation coming from a good place or from fear of the double chin? When we think about why we work out we have the opportunity to fall in love with exercise and our bodies. Notice why you work out and connect with how it makes you feel.

Do What You Love, Love, Love

So many women think they have to kill themselves doing workouts they hate. Learning to love your body is also about enjoying the time you spend working on it. When you love the way exercise feels, it's not only more effective but you give your soul a little vacay. The art of enjoying yourself is dying, ladies. Work out doing something you love and don't judge how easy, hard, short or long it is. Just do it and be present. See how strong and centered you feel when you're done.

Power in the Push Up

There's nothing more powerful than being able to hold your own body weight. Being able to physically support yourself bleeds through into the rest of your life. Push ups are your opportunity to see that you can support yourself. Do 5-25 push ups every day as a reminder that you already have all the strength you need, honey.

The key to creating change in your body starts by accepting who you are right now. Try loving yourself - and your cellulite, arm flab or imperfect abs. Only then will you finally be in the place to create the body you want.

What exercises makes you feel powerful? We want to hear! Let us know in the comments below.

Tweet me @AngelaParkerFIT to keep me posted about your successes and challenges. I'll be sure to give shout-outs, spicy tips and tricks, awesome advice and motivation! 

Do you have a burning fitness question for Angela or a topic you want her to cover? Email us at info@healthybitchdaily.com.

Angela Parker, Resident Fitness Guru
As the founder of bodyinspiredfitness.com, Angela believes that it’s possible for everyone to live a truly healthy, happy and vibrant life. She recently wrote and published her first book, 90–Days to a Stronger Body & Deeper Connection with Your Daughter, available exclusively on Amazon.com. Angela's unique at-home program encourages mothers to inspire their daughters (ages 7 to 18) to create a lifetime of being fit and healthy. Angela can now be seen every Tuesday night on MTV's new hit show, "Chelsea Settles," as Chelsea's trainer.