05/15/2020
"I’m nervous to post this before and after because there has been some recent controversy over the body positivity movement and before and afters.
My intentions are never to hurt anyone or make them feel less than, but here are my thoughts on that.
I wish I loved myself completely at my heaviest. But there were times I would not leave my house because I didn’t feel comfortable in my clothes. That makes me sad to say, but it’s the truth.
I joined CrossFit for a few reasons.
1. I suffered from chronic lower back pain, and a slipped disc and I was told I needed to build core strength.
2. I could barely breathe. Yes, I smoked and have asthma. Yes, I was a dum dum, but I was tired of being out of breath from walking up a single flight of steps, or just chasing my kids around the back yard.
3. I wanted to feel better about myself and my appearance.
I didn’t necessarily lose weight because I wanted to wear a bikini. I use to say “Even if I lose the weight I wouldn’t be caught dead in a bikini”. This year I wore a bikini for the first time 🤣, and trust me I definitely have my fair share of stretch marks and lose skin. I had two c-sections and a weight loss of 100 pounds. It’s not going to look perfect, and I’m ok with that.
I’m finally confident in my appearance because I’m finally confident in myself, as a whole person. My abilities, my strengths, my weaknesses and my 2 pack 🤣. I think everyone should feel good about themselves always because that’s when we are our best selves.
Everyone is different though. I wasn’t my best self on the left because my mental and physical health was not good.
I loved myself enough to change my lifestyle for my health, and I want to share that for those who need to hear my story."
—Haley Racine Lifts