Rio - Its okey to be you

Honesty, there are 2 places in the world that I have never been interested in traveling to. Brazil and Australia. I don't know why, I just havn't. Rio is my mothers dream, and since she has brought me up to become this decent humanbeing, I really wanted to do this trip with her. I thank Caroline and Zofia for coming up with the idea, and I thank everyone with me on this trip for making it a memoralble one.

So quess my surprize when I realize that I LOVE Rio. And it has nothing to do with the citys outer beauty, its deeper than that. Its the citys mentality and its the way Brazilians see themselves, see others and their attitude to life. Everything. Since this blog is about my journey to Ironman, I will be sticking to body. I have alway heard that Brazilians care alot about looks and body. Before coming here I thought that I was going to have to hide my chubby tummy in a tight swimsuit. But really, no one cares. Everybody works out - fat, skinny, black, white, female, male, old, young, rich, poor. The WHOLE city of Rio, gives everyone the oppertunity to take care of themselves. There are outdoor gyms everywhere. They have more outdoor gyms than we have busstops. (most of them look like busstops) On weekends they close all the major beach and lakefront streets so there is room for everyone to bike, jog, powerwalk, skate and so on. They take working your body seriously over here. And its for everyone. People play vollyball, beach crossfit, weight lifting. You can borrow all kinds of equipment. I have never been on a vacation with so many oppertunities for outdoor exercising. And its all free.

Best part is you don't have to look skinny. At home everyone is always talking about weight. It more about looking like the Swedish norm. Skinny, and its a tough goal for a fullbody girl like me. Okey I am abit to heavy for my Ironman challange, and I need to get rid of some pounds before the competion....but still. Here in Brazil its alright to have curves, its alright to be old...... Most of all, its alright to be you.

I was upset before my trip when my swim teacher Annie and half ironman Swedish silver champion had to defend here weight. She is for most if us a light weight, but she is heavier than many other female triathletes. And people honestly care about how much she weighs? The girl is second best in Sweden! Give it a break..Instead of focusing on what other people weigh start focusing on you... My GOD this topic can get me fired up....Annie you rule..... And Brazil you rule! I am in love

Outdoor gym

Björn is rocking this old peoples gym

Saturday morning jog on streets closed for traffic

Even the hotel has a swimming pool for athletes 25m

Gym for the older generation

Women and men doing thier thang

Björn and I on a 14K jogg one of our first days

Beach exersises

Well made biking/jogging lanes

Lovin it

Does it get better than this?