I had an interesting conversation this weekend. I was dressed up and wearing make-up at a social event. Another mom commented on that fact, since she’s never seen me in make-up before. My response was that she only sees me at school drop-off and pick-up and why would I be wearing make-up then?
Her response?
“To feel good about yourself.”
My rather flip response:
“Running does that for me.”
When I said it, I was being a little bit facetious, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was true.
Don’t get me wrong. I like to look nice as much as the next girl and I do make an effort if there’s a reason. But I’m long past the days of not leaving the house without a shower or make-up. And I’m long past caring.
Running has made me comfortable in my own skin. I’m proud of how hard I work to be fit. I’m proud of what my body can do.
I may not always be rockin’ hot (unless by that you mean sweaty and red-faced), but I’m always strong. I may have times when my jeans are snug, but these solid thighs of mine have gotten me across many a finish line.
So, if you see me looking like a train wreck with my hair in a pony tail and mismatched running clothes or wearing a hot dress with makeup and a perfect ‘do, know that, either way, I’m feeling pretty good about myself.
Running does that for me.
Couldn’t agree more!!!
That’s a great sentiment. I don’t always feel very good about my running, but I almost always feel pretty good about what running does for me (physically and emotionally). With extra confirmation from my college aged daughter who reminds me that “You & Dad are in a lot better shape than most of my other friend’s parents”
Since November I have been commuting full time (of course I only commute 2 days a week) on my bike, so I am constantly in and out of the daycares in my biking clothes and my look is only going to get worse once the weather is hot. Oh well! Totally worth it.
AWESOME post!! 🙂 Running is awesome and what’s even awesomerer (totally a word!) 😉 … is that you feel comfortable and legit in your own skin whether that be in a dress and makeup or running clothes with your hair thrown up!! 🙂 You go girl!! 🙂
Great post, you hit the nail on the head. My answer for so many things is “running does that for me”. I love that you are comfortable in your own skin (as you should be), you are rockin’ and you don’t need to be dressed up to do be that way. I work at a job where I have to dress up a little, and it’s nice (I really don’t mind it), BUT my favorite clothes to be in are my workout clothes. Give me a ponytail, my sneakers and some workout/running clothes any day.
Love this post and couldn’t agree more!
Love this post! Confidence is a beautiful thing!!!
I love your response to her. Running gives you a glow that make-up can only hope to aspire to.
I ALWAYS think this way!! I like to wear makeup too – but if I’ve got my running clothes on – back off! I like to tell myself: “it’s not what your body weighs, it’s what your body does” … not exactly the same but you catch my drift!!
Couldn’t agree more! I rarely wear make-up and I feel great in workout clothes and running shoes. Sure it’s nice to get dressed up and actually fix my hair but that doesn’t make me feel any better about myself than I do when I am a hot sweaty mess after a race.
Great post!
Love this! What a great post! I feel the same way, people are surprised to see me when I get dressed up, and I do enjoy doing it, but I am so past the everyday make-up routine and needing to look “great” for groceries or casual hang-outs. I feel great inside and out because I’m a runner and crossfitter, plus my husband thinks I’m hot, so I’m all set in life 😉
and this I love…and is weights for me.
Two thoughts:
1 – Good for you. Great comeback!
2 – I sort of feel bad for that lady if she needs makeup to feel good. I mean, who doesn’t like dressing up “fancy” once in awhile? (Men and women alike.) But needing makeup to feel good? That just makes me sad…
I actually like you best in your running outfit. It has way much more personality! I don’t wear make-up either. I agree with you: running does that for me too.
Love this.
Awesome post! I’ve also cut way back on wearing makeup since I started running. Running and working out now take priority over a few extra minutes in the mirror to put on eyeliner. And I find that I don’t care as much! I’m with you!
i feel just as confident in a cute/well-fitting workout outfit as i do in a “fancy”/nice everyday outfit. love your reply!
Love your take on beauty and self confidence. I’m glad you linked this up on the SITS FB page because I’m just now trying to get into running. I see friends and family that are runners enjoy running, but I’ve never been that way. I’m on a mission to change that, though. Off to browse through more of your blog!
Exercising is my mental health days. Right now I feel sloppy and gross, but once I feel better I will make it back to working out and running. Damn winter blues!
I absolutely love this. It’s so true. Yes I might put on a little concealer before leaving the house to try to hide my horrendous bags under my eyes but it is through movement and exercise and living in my body that I feel the best about myself. I love your response.
I know how you feel. I can’t run outside because of asthma and problems with my knees from a fall I took while running years ago, but I still run. I run inside. I jog in place on a mini trampoline, and I love it. I do it 60 to 70 minutes a day, sometimes longer or another short jog later in the day. It even helps my knees by strengthening them. I wrote about it on my site so others like myself could benefit from it. It is definitely a confidence builder. Thanks for sharing your story!
Wonderful post. I wish there was something I was passionate about that made me feel as good as that. I think I might have to try taking up running, as everyone I know who does it seems to feel amazing. 🙂
Go you!!! You should feel great weather in a pair of Nike track pants or your little black dress. A smile looks prettier than any makeup one can put on.
Love your response! I may use it next time someone says that to me. I don’t wear much makeup either, but I like a natural look and so does my husband 😉