I'm starting this post with a few disclaimers:

1.  We all have cellulite.

2.  We all have belly fat. ( I've named mine.)

3.  I don't care if you have fat.  (You're beautiful to me.)

4.  I really don't care if you're skinny.  (You're beautiful to me in an "I hate you" kind of way.)

5.  I totally have 6-pack abs.  Located right underneath my belly fat.

6.  We all have problems.  And problem areas.  Some of my problems are bigger or smaller than yours...and thus, so are my problem areas.  It's all relative.

Ok, we good?  Good.

Most of you know that I tend to live my life out loud, meaning that not a lot gets filtered before I click "post" on social media platforms.  This has its pros and cons but as I inch closer and closer to 40, I've come to place authenticity as a pretty high value.  It's not fun to live life edited...believe me, I spent about 15 years doing just that.  #notcool  #uglycry

So yet another example of authentic living was fulfilled the other day when I decided that pinching my belly fat, snapping a photo and sharing it with friends was a good idea.  And why stop with just my close friends?  My brain doesn't work in small numbers.  It thinks in terms of masses and large quantities, and so my brain thought that sharing the photo with you would be an even better idea.  Because clearly viral marketing is preferable to private texting.  (My brain is such a show off.)  So here you go...

I know what you're thinking.

I totally look like JLo.

Aside from that, you're probably thinking WHY on earth did she do that?  And I totally have an answer.

The answer is that I'm a little tired of the gym selfies being circulated on instagram (in particular) from fitness accounts that I follow.  I guess it kind of boggles my mind that seeing someone else's skinny would be motivating to others.

I am in constant awe of the fitness models who look flatter than flat Stanley...and they're not even sucking in.  I'm not really sure how the caption underneath the photo "follow this account for fitness motivation" can actually create motivation since I could never possibly achieve flat Stanley status.  And another thing...I'm completely confused by the models' attire....is that a sports bra or bra?  Sports bra.  Definitely a sports bra.  No wait, there's lace....definitely bra (which makes it lingerie) and now I'm just completely confused by what's being promoted.  #unfollow

I think it's time that we take a real look at real life and real struggles of real people on a real journey towards fitness and health.  And in that pursuit of "real"....I decided that pinching my belly fat in public was not just a good idea, but a  D E C L A R A T I O N  OF REAL.

In the past few years of dream-chasing this thing called REFIT® we have had the opportunity to meet so many people who are radically embracing the call of real fitness.  From fans to instructors, we've heard countless stories of failure and fear, of feeling inadequate, of self-loathing, of comparison and criticism.  And each of these stories has only confirmed the need for fitness that targets not just weight issues...but the lies associated with these weight issues.  And it begins with the choice to love yourself.

Talk about engaging the heart as a muscle....and a soul.  #whoa

The REVOLUTION is happening, folks...not only in my heart, but in the hearts of women who have faced fears and failures to become part of the REFIT COMMUNITY not just as a participant...but as a freaking instructor.  (Be still my heart.  I just fainted with excitement.)  Now THAT is revolutionary.

I encourage you to go check out the REFIT instructors page and look at the beautiful faces who have said "yes, I am worth it."  Pray for them...that they would embrace all that God has for them, and that they would rise to meet His challenge.

And, if you're really feeling a little spunky, pray for the audacity that each one of us would embrace our declaration of real...by pinching our belly fat in public.

--Angela