Mormon Health And Fitness Attire - You Choose What's Best For you To wear

I've recently been called out about being a Mormon (member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and NOT exercising in the "appropriate" clothing that a Mormon is meant to wear. Mormons have a strict dress code of being modest, with covering our shoulders and making sure our shorts always go to the knees or longer. And followers knew I was mormon because of the pictures hanging in my foyer behind me. While the picture itself is not "mormon" it is typically displayed in Mormon households.

First of all, for someone to make comments and tell me that I'm being a "bad mormon" because I wasn't following the strict dress code really did affect me. I felt massive amounts of guilt, to the point I started to cut off the picture so it wasn't so obvious that I was a member and was not following the rules. I don't have to and shouldn't have to explain myself. But if I'm being called out, I'm sure other women are too, or other women are feeling guilty for wanting to change their clothing to exercise in and want to know why one person does something and feels okay with it while others won't. So...if you're a mormon and you want to know, keep reading.

For years, I wore cotton t-shirts, and biker shorts to the gym. I did hours at the gym sweating my brains out. My shirt would be drenched, if I let myself get that sweaty, but often I would hold back in my workouts because I didn't want to look like I was dying. At one point I decided to change it up and I wore a Tank Top to the gym. The amount of comfort I had at the gym compared to the day before was night and day. But, I felt like I was naked. I felt like I was going to get struck down by lightening because I was breaking my promise to dress modestly. I also was fearful of someone I knew from my ward seeing me. But I decided for my own health and safety while exercising, I feel the most comfortable and less overheated when my body can breathe better in a tank top. 

(at our Diamond Retreat and I was the only one in modest clothing sweating my brains out so I could uphold my worthiness standards.)

I've come a long way since that day, and now I workout in whatever I feel most comfortable in, including just wearing a sports bra and shorter shorts. 

But really, it's not anyone's place to put down another person for what they are wearing. It's never okay. Women should be cheering on other women and supporting each other. 

In the end, I do follow the standards of a Mormon when not exercising. To other Mormons reading this, wear what you need to be the most comfortable. Goal is for health and safety, and if that means, being able to last a little longer or do a little more because you feel like you won't pass out from heat exhaustion in an oversized cotton shirt. Then wear the dang tank top.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!