“I am obsessed with becoming a woman comfortable in her own skin.”
– Unknown

Comfortable in my own skin.  It’s a bit of a weighted concept.  Literal or rhetorical – it comes down to looking into the mirror and thinking “Wow – you go girl – all that hard work has paid off.”   I’ve always been a bit of an exercise junky – so staying fit, healthy and active has been an extremely important part of my adult life.   Vanity is a powerful motivator – being able to fit into jeans that are 10 years and at least 2 babies old always makes me smile.  However, the mental effects are so much more rewarding.  I have more energy, less stress and am generally a nicer person when I get regular exercise.  I love walking into the gym – full of crab and grump – and walking out feeling like a million bucks.

So, I was completely thrilled to realize I could incorporate my love of fitness into the kind year journey!  This month I’ve been able to support 2 great causes though fitness “jams”.  A “jam” session tends to last about 90 minutes versus a normal 60 minute class block and can incorporate multiple instructors and formats.  On October 1st I participated in a Party in Pink at Lifetime Fitness to support Susan G Koman and breast cancer research.  I donated $5 to participate in the  Zumba fitness jam and it was worth every penny – SO MUCH FUN.  LOL – I know – I’m a total dork but I just LOVE to Zumba.  It is my complete guilty pleasure – I get to dance, shake my booty AND raise money for an awesome cause.  Win win for sure!

Where’s Kim? Hidden in all that PINK!

Just a few days ago I was able to head back to Lifetime Fitness for another jam – this one dedicated to healthy school food – by making a $10 donation to the Lifetime Foundation.  I was able to do 3 classes instead of my normal Saturday morning kickboxing class and worked out for 90 minutes instead of 60.  It was AWESOME.  There is something very satisfying about working out, doing something good for my body and knowing that it would help kids get healthy food to fuel their bodies.

Overall, it’s been so much fun to discover this simple way to incorporate kindness into my fitness routine.  Every step I take on this journey brings me a bit closer to complete comfort with myself.  I may not be perfect, but I am confident that I am on a path of progress that will end the best “me” possible.

What simple ways have you found to incorporate kindness into your every day life?  How have you found comfort in your own skin?