arkingarts

[arkingarts]

I was 19, my uncle had just passed away from an undiagnosed genetic heart condition and my own mother was diagnosed with it just after. I had asthma, malnutrition and was chronically dehydrated. I’ve been exposed to “perfect” body types all my life and indeed it had crossed my mind how much easier life would be if I had that. I’ve always been thin, or average and never obese or overweight but when the idea of life threatening health problems came I decided to let it motivate me. 

I saved up bought a punching bag, a bench press, treadmill and various other weight machines and free weights. It never really struck me how inactive I’d been until I did a light jog for 4 miles in 40 minutes on the treadmill the day I got it and found my legs so tight and in pain over the next 24 hours that I couldn’t sleep or rest at all. I was so out of shape my legs felt like they were being ripped apart from the inside. It changed how I saw myself and how I saw my ability. I began to talk to friends about it and was shocked to find the response I was given. 

I was selling out, buying into the gay white male image in the media and magazines. I was perpetuating an unhealthy lifestyle and becoming the type of person who fat shames other people by simply being. This response I garnered for just saying I was really going to try and improve my ability after the situation on the treadmill. I’m choosing my words very specifically here because I was raised around people of different abilities, shapes and sizes. People who can do what I can’t 10x better, longer, faster and look like me, bigger, smaller, older or younger. 

What I wanted to change about myself was what I was capable of, not how I looked. If I could eat a dozen doughnuts a day and still run 4km in 35 minutes I would, but the reality was things had to change. I was shocked that I received a rather toxic response from my friends but I’m aware of the pain they’d been through and I tried my best to not let it deter me from meeting my goals.

I’ve kept the same goals since then, I’ve wanted to learn how to swim, to do a hand stand, to do the splits, to run a 5 minute mile, to do pullups and situps and not feel winded or sick and so much more. By working hard I’ve reached the mile goal, I’ve helped overcome my breathing issues, and I’m just now 10+ years later learning to swim. My body though, it looks the same if a bit of tone added. I’m happy just being able, if I get muscle or get thinner doing the things I want to be able to do than sure that’s who I am and I accept it. But even still I play on a team of people of all ages, genders, sizes and ability and it’s the same now as it was then. I’m still the new guy learning, admiring and taking notes from everyone else trying to match their skill level and have fun. So my challenge for anyone getting into fitness is to not consider what you’ll look like but rather what you’ll be able to do by the end of it. Chances are your body will undergo a change, but you’ll find yourself reaching a different set of goals one that can easily be measured by you alone. Whether you set your goals in reps, sets, trying something new or perfecting something old, you’ll grow. We’re all built differently, biology is a funny thing. :) 

What helps push you to lose weight?

I just answered an ask and now I’m curious about everyone else

I’m not talking about your overall motivation factors (like health, looking good, etc.). I mean what is it that you use to push you to get started in the first place? What was/is it that helped kick your butt in gear?

For me, it was looking at myself in the mirror and facing what my body looks like vs what I want it to look like, as well as stepping on a scale to face the weight that I am.

But what about everyone else? What are your methods that get you to step it up?

[arkingarts]

Well bunches of my content has been flagged, and yet some of the more risky stuff hasn’t. If you don’t already follow me in instagram https://www.instagram.com/ouijiarking/ as I’ll probably be ditching this sinking ship. 

[arkingarts]

It's rare that we get sun in the winter here in Vancouver or at least warm sunny days so you enjoy it when you can #selfcare #sunny #winter (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsUO3VlOaM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2mdio6116ig1

[arkingarts]

Odd that it's been since I did that thing where I grew out and shaved my beard. Dislike all that scruff. Enjoy this montage of me being a goof #moustache #beard #ginger #movember (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqp4u0fl2Si/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fvfd4q6uewwm

[arkingarts]

It's been a bit since this photo was taken, lost a fair bit of weight and kept working on being positive :) big plans for the new year already hourly be content to share https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYAjasnV6a/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1orxjir6goe2h

[arkingarts]

Snapping that prebaked look before it inevitably boils over and is ruined lol why can't I just wave a wand and instantly have it baked to perfection? #baking (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTVUfPFgWj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ujvpxsf5ri67

[arkingarts]

Almost done prepping another pidgeon pie for tomorrow nights early game of thrones themed thanksgiving #got #gameofthrones #pidgeonpie #thanksgiving https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQQy1cF_x-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wr4ai1cg2o40

[arkingarts]

It's evident I don't use a selfie stick given the big ole shadows on my face. Oh well I enjoyed today and this shot turned out pretty well #selfie #badphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp3D3otgHHC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bxp9nki4digx

[arkingarts]

Been a great day so far, just chilling in the autumn weather with my dog. #kitsuboop #puppy #dayoff #selfie (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp21DSvA1jJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2hypk9fgtqbf

[arkingarts]

Still got a ways to go before I finish this costume proper and have it ready for a photoshoot with my little dog too. Just need to finish ordering some Emerald rhinestone buttons to complete this outfit and be done with it finally! #halloween #wicked #wip #cosplay #sewing #wizardofoz https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzzW_bAIlU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=moomnngowp1e

[arkingarts]

Made some pan de muerto yesterday and thought it looked good enough to share but totally forgot to upload a photo. #dayofthedead #pandemuerto #baking #tradition (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpu13bxHjkT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qijf7t8rg7zc

[arkingarts]

Lord squid dog wishes you all a happy Halloween and many thanks for sticking with me here. It's not been easy trying to find what people like and my low resolution selfie photos leave much to be desired I know. Thanks for the patience, I'll get better I promise! 🎃🎆#halloween (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpn2qQRhYSv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=149ld5x0y80pi

[arkingarts]

Well once more not having notions caused me to cut out part of my costume this time a jacket needing buttons. It also came about that my blouse was missing as will so I had to reuse the costume from a few days ago combined with the dress base and bustle from the wicked witch costume I've been silently working on. Fun fact Spirit Halloween green makeup crumbles off skin ....:p #wicked #wickedwitch #wizardofoz #Halloween #witch #costume #cosplayer (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnnFvmBgea/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u10kgj4aw4vk

[arkingarts]

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Being a dork I liked how much expression I could have with this. Admittedly this was an expensive three hour quick makeup but it was fun and that makes it worth it #witch #halloween #drag #costume https://www.instagram.com/p/BpkMGV2F0o5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1frveidv7rgco

[arkingarts]

Some wickedly fun shots of today's quick costume. Bad for only my second time attempting this kind of makeup with the last being almost a year ago #drag #halloween #cosplay #costume #witchy (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpinAL1FsPT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gza2lbsbpyc0

[arkingarts]

She's baaaaack! Scroll through for photos!! Witchy witch round II this time with real makeup and thirty minutes compared to the ten last year! #witch #Halloween #drag (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiT8Enlcda/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ywy96i3e4jtq

[arkingarts]

I didn't make my deadline thanks to the lack of a zipper be here's a quick free shots of the finished leotard sans muscle armor #cosplay #cosplayer #halloween #dickgrayson #robin #batmanforever https://www.instagram.com/p/BphmcQJlBHk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rv988nmbyaj8