What's the perfect body type?

By the world"s standards and at first glance I'm a middle-aged woman with a healthy BMI ( a bit lower than average because I'm an athlete),I eat a healthy diet (I really really do), I exercise regularly (really really on that point, too), and I am a generally thankful human being. Is this an ideal body type? Depends. 

Like most of us, I have had to come to terms with my body type, where it is now and where it will go in the future. I sometimes post videos of myself in a plank or doing a hill workout. If you didn't know me you might think "Oh, there's another one of those "motivational get your butt up off the couch" videos. I get it. Remember, many of those trainers including myself genuinely want to help and or inspire the viewer.

Ideal body type? Take a closer look. Guess what? My joints are crooked from having Rheumatoid Arthritis most of my life and all of my adult life. My hands are crooked, my elbows don't fully extend, I have a total knee replacement and I have significant joint range of motion limitations. Guess what else? I train anyway.I work hard for every ounce of muscle I have.  I work with what I do have and push the boundaries on even that. Ideal? Maybe for me. 

Why do I go hard? Why do I push the boundaries? A couple of reasons. Number one: I am thankful to be ALIVE. Number two: If I don't move (and sometimes it hurts folks) I am worse than the pain I inflict on myself from a workout. Number three: I'd rather be a "case study" than a patient. 

Like we all do from time to time, I have had to swallow the old humble pie. Sometimes it's daily but sometimes it feels like the whole pie at once. I actually think that's a good thing but not while it's happening.  I guess my point is, that no matter where you are in your journey, no matter what you look like or what you THINK you look like, no matter your physical fitness level, no matter your limitations perceived or otherwise,  you decide what you are going to do with what you have.

Body type? Yes, I have one and so do you. My body type gets my butt out of bed each day so that I can see the people I love and hopefully have a positive impact on my community and the people in it. Life is too short to get caught up in the perfect body type. The perfect body type is the one that makes you most effective at what you need to do. 

I choose to get better. I choose to be better. With all my might and God's grace and mercy I will put one foot in front of the other and work on improving the things I can now. I will also help those that want the help do the same. And I am thankful.