I haven't written in over 6 years. What can I say? Life got busy and I hung in there with it. Some times I think I might have even made some of the crazy myself. But that might be a story for another day.
For today, I'm thinking of blogging here again. I've taken on a lot of things over the past 6 years - cross country drives, debt, moving, international travel, sock knitting, workaholism (I had to look up this noun) - and smashed my goals. Other things are still a glimmer in my eye like distance hiking (which I've romanticized) and sweater knitting (which I'm on attempt number two with so much more road ahead).
Other things haven't gone so well. I started this blog when I realized that I had a large amount of weight to lose. I've returned to it as I've dug the hole even deeper on that front. The regularity with which I used to visit the gym is gone. And my moods haven't exactly benefitted from these changes.
But I'm starting to make changes again. And I need to write. I need to remind myself that I CAN DO THIS! I need to insist to you that YOU can do this too - whatever "this" might mean to you.
Today we will start with this simple entry. Just like the gym membership I used for the first time this morning, start small. Momentum needs time to build.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Monday, April 8, 2019
Monday, July 9, 2012
Workout 120709: Modifications
Thanks to a small loss I found a new blog last week, The Lean Green Bean. The name alone pulled me in, but then I found out about Foodie Penpals (which I subsequently joined) and the posting of weekly workout programs. Last Friday the workout posted was a 5 min Medicine Ball Workout. I don't have a Medicine Ball and knew some modifications would be needed but the thought of timing my exercises versus counting reps was intriguing.
Monday's workout:
10 min Treadmill warmup - 3.0 mph
5 min Med Ball Workout with Mods
5 min Elliptical
5 min Med Ball Workout with Mods
5 min Treadmill walk
Stretch
To start off, I did not use a medicine ball. I figured for starters I would just attempt to survive the 5 minutes. Additionally, I can't actually do some of these thing yet. But attempting is the first part of succeeding, right? *grin* So here's how I modified:
20 sec Pushups - I tried a pushup with my knees on the ground. I could get within 12 inches of the floor before I was unable to push myself up again. So instead of pushing myself back up, I just lowered my upper body to the floor as slow and controlled as I could. Admittedly, the last 4 inches was usually a flop.
40 sec Wall Passes - I think there are where you take a medicine ball and slam it into a wall and then catch it on the rebound. I didn't attempt this one as the room I was working out in had mirrored walls. Instead, I took a 6 pound ball and used it to do tricep presses. I held the ball above my head with both hand, lowered it down behind my head and then pushed it up again.
60 sec Plank - one 35 sec plan followed by a 15 sec plank. Versus having my arms straight with hand on a medicine ball, I was supporting my upper body on my elbows. It turns out that a 35 sec plank is a bit harder than a 30 sec plank (which I have been doing). I spent the rest of the 60 sec struggling to get back into plank position resulting in about 15 more sec of actual proper form.
80 sec Overhead Lunges - Here is simply left off the medicine ball. When I lunged forward I lifted my hand in the air. As I came up I lowered them. I was shocked at how many of these you can do in 80 sec. I managed 8 in my last workout; today I did a lot more than 8. Next time I'm going to try these with the 6 pound ball.
100 sec Wall Sit - Again, I left out the Medicine Ball. I also had to break this into a 50 sec wall sit followed by a 30 sec wall sit.
All in all I am thrilled with how that workout turned out. I know my total time in some of the exercises didn't match the total prescribed, but I wanted to keep close to 5 minutes. The point of this workout for me was to (1) see if I could complete it and (2) do short bursts of strength building stuff balanced with cardio time. I count this workout as a success.
Six months ago, I never would have attempted this. Today... I did it! I have lots of room to grow, but I actually find that reassuring. There's a lot to learn here. I'm no where near topping out and that is so refreshing. As long as it is going to take me to lose this weight, I don't have to be bored doing the same exercises day in and day out. Woohoo! I wish I could bottle this feeling and carry it through the rest of my life.
Monday's workout:
10 min Treadmill warmup - 3.0 mph
5 min Med Ball Workout with Mods
5 min Elliptical
5 min Med Ball Workout with Mods
5 min Treadmill walk
Stretch
To start off, I did not use a medicine ball. I figured for starters I would just attempt to survive the 5 minutes. Additionally, I can't actually do some of these thing yet. But attempting is the first part of succeeding, right? *grin* So here's how I modified:
20 sec Pushups - I tried a pushup with my knees on the ground. I could get within 12 inches of the floor before I was unable to push myself up again. So instead of pushing myself back up, I just lowered my upper body to the floor as slow and controlled as I could. Admittedly, the last 4 inches was usually a flop.
40 sec Wall Passes - I think there are where you take a medicine ball and slam it into a wall and then catch it on the rebound. I didn't attempt this one as the room I was working out in had mirrored walls. Instead, I took a 6 pound ball and used it to do tricep presses. I held the ball above my head with both hand, lowered it down behind my head and then pushed it up again.
60 sec Plank - one 35 sec plan followed by a 15 sec plank. Versus having my arms straight with hand on a medicine ball, I was supporting my upper body on my elbows. It turns out that a 35 sec plank is a bit harder than a 30 sec plank (which I have been doing). I spent the rest of the 60 sec struggling to get back into plank position resulting in about 15 more sec of actual proper form.
80 sec Overhead Lunges - Here is simply left off the medicine ball. When I lunged forward I lifted my hand in the air. As I came up I lowered them. I was shocked at how many of these you can do in 80 sec. I managed 8 in my last workout; today I did a lot more than 8. Next time I'm going to try these with the 6 pound ball.
100 sec Wall Sit - Again, I left out the Medicine Ball. I also had to break this into a 50 sec wall sit followed by a 30 sec wall sit.
All in all I am thrilled with how that workout turned out. I know my total time in some of the exercises didn't match the total prescribed, but I wanted to keep close to 5 minutes. The point of this workout for me was to (1) see if I could complete it and (2) do short bursts of strength building stuff balanced with cardio time. I count this workout as a success.
Six months ago, I never would have attempted this. Today... I did it! I have lots of room to grow, but I actually find that reassuring. There's a lot to learn here. I'm no where near topping out and that is so refreshing. As long as it is going to take me to lose this weight, I don't have to be bored doing the same exercises day in and day out. Woohoo! I wish I could bottle this feeling and carry it through the rest of my life.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Workout 120704: Freedom!
Wednesday morning I woke up and went to the gym. Even though it was a holiday, there were a lot of people there. Thankfully for the employees they were only open until 1pm. But I do need to remember that they revamp their class schedule on holidays to offer up a good mix to those who venture out. Having not planned ahead, I did my own thing:
15 min Arc Trainer - Interval Level 3
3 min Treadmill cooldown
10 Side Lunges each side
10 Abductors with 5 sec hold each side
7 Bridges with Kickout (I love that I'm adding one more of these every time I do them!)
15 Reverse Curl with Stick
10 Adductors each side
10 Glut Press each side
Stretch
Earlier this week I ran across a guest post workout on The Lean Green Bean. I was humbled and motivated all at the same time. By the time I got down to the Swiss Ball Overhead Pass my legs and abs were quivering. No action required.
I can look at my body and say honestly that I am more fit right now than I have been in 12 or 13 years. I haven't been able to do the things I'm doing now since my first couple years of college. I would have never even read to the end of a workout post with such challenging moves. I couldn't have done it, so why bother?
Lately, I'm bothering. I'm bothering to dream and wonder at what my body is going to be able to do. Looking at those workouts, I'm pretty sure even a fit person would feel challenged. To test it out, I asked a couple of fit people and they ran away shrieking. However, maybe I can get there. How satisfying would it be right now to be able to perform one of each of those exercises? Not even worrying about the reps. What if I did just one? Or even simply tried to do just one? That would be a huge start...
15 min Arc Trainer - Interval Level 3
3 min Treadmill cooldown
10 Side Lunges each side
10 Abductors with 5 sec hold each side
7 Bridges with Kickout (I love that I'm adding one more of these every time I do them!)
15 Reverse Curl with Stick
10 Adductors each side
10 Glut Press each side
Stretch
Earlier this week I ran across a guest post workout on The Lean Green Bean. I was humbled and motivated all at the same time. By the time I got down to the Swiss Ball Overhead Pass my legs and abs were quivering. No action required.
I can look at my body and say honestly that I am more fit right now than I have been in 12 or 13 years. I haven't been able to do the things I'm doing now since my first couple years of college. I would have never even read to the end of a workout post with such challenging moves. I couldn't have done it, so why bother?
Lately, I'm bothering. I'm bothering to dream and wonder at what my body is going to be able to do. Looking at those workouts, I'm pretty sure even a fit person would feel challenged. To test it out, I asked a couple of fit people and they ran away shrieking. However, maybe I can get there. How satisfying would it be right now to be able to perform one of each of those exercises? Not even worrying about the reps. What if I did just one? Or even simply tried to do just one? That would be a huge start...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Maintenance Fears
Today I found My Fitspiration, a blog written by Olivia and Hannah from The Biggest Loser Season 11. Olivia lost 129 pounds; Hannah, 120. It was amazing to watch them change as the season carried on. I'd heard of The Biggest Loser before, but that was the first season I followed from beginning to end. I found it inspiring. Inspiring and terrifying.
I work a full-time sedentary job. I'm raising 2 daughters along side my husband. I've been overweight most of my life. While I understand that my weight endangers my health, I'm not willing to leave my family and career at this point to spend 22 weeks in isolation redefining my mind, body and life. I'm not always happy with where I am. But I'm not THAT unhappy either.
So I took the show for what it was, a glimpse into an immersion experience focused on changing lives. It's not something I should expect for myself. That's fine.
At the end of the show, the conquering heroes return to their lives. They go home, return to their jobs and get mired in everyday life. Just like me. Somehow they figure out how to maintain. The show is over at that point. There are no more cameras, no more being accountable to millions of at home viewers.
But somehow many of them maintain the weight loss. Olivia and Hannah have made fitness and spreading the word their new mission in life. That brings a bit of accountability into the equation for sure. Reading their blog, they are maintaining their weight loss with 90 minutes of exercise 6 days a week.
Full stop. Please wait a moment while I close my jaw and try to refocus my eyes. 90 minutes per day. 6 days per week. For maintenance. Um. I'm not sure I can do that. Let me rephrase. I'm not sure I want to do that. What if that is what it takes? What if I reach a point where nothing else is working? Will I find a place in my life for that kind of dedication to exercise?
Thankfully I'm making progress with my plan. I have quite a bit of room for adjustment before I have to face that decision. And I don't know how going through all this will change me. I know that things have to change. Every day I go to the gym, I change a little more. But where I'll end up? What I'll make a priority in my life? I don't know.
In the meantime, I do worry. And fret. And wonder. And hope. I hope that I'll succeed this time. I hope I'll find out what it takes to maintain a monumental weight loss. I hope these are fears I get to face.
I work a full-time sedentary job. I'm raising 2 daughters along side my husband. I've been overweight most of my life. While I understand that my weight endangers my health, I'm not willing to leave my family and career at this point to spend 22 weeks in isolation redefining my mind, body and life. I'm not always happy with where I am. But I'm not THAT unhappy either.
So I took the show for what it was, a glimpse into an immersion experience focused on changing lives. It's not something I should expect for myself. That's fine.
At the end of the show, the conquering heroes return to their lives. They go home, return to their jobs and get mired in everyday life. Just like me. Somehow they figure out how to maintain. The show is over at that point. There are no more cameras, no more being accountable to millions of at home viewers.
But somehow many of them maintain the weight loss. Olivia and Hannah have made fitness and spreading the word their new mission in life. That brings a bit of accountability into the equation for sure. Reading their blog, they are maintaining their weight loss with 90 minutes of exercise 6 days a week.
Full stop. Please wait a moment while I close my jaw and try to refocus my eyes. 90 minutes per day. 6 days per week. For maintenance. Um. I'm not sure I can do that. Let me rephrase. I'm not sure I want to do that. What if that is what it takes? What if I reach a point where nothing else is working? Will I find a place in my life for that kind of dedication to exercise?
Thankfully I'm making progress with my plan. I have quite a bit of room for adjustment before I have to face that decision. And I don't know how going through all this will change me. I know that things have to change. Every day I go to the gym, I change a little more. But where I'll end up? What I'll make a priority in my life? I don't know.
In the meantime, I do worry. And fret. And wonder. And hope. I hope that I'll succeed this time. I hope I'll find out what it takes to maintain a monumental weight loss. I hope these are fears I get to face.
Monday, May 7, 2012
How Much a Number Can Mean
There's a piece of news that I've been keeping to myself. Mostly due to all the offline introspection going on, but also... I'm proud of it. This month's weight-in results?
I am 10 pounds down from my start weight in January! This is 10 % of my overall goal! I'm just a little thrilled. *grin* I'm happy to be seeing progress and I'm hoping that I'll get to continue seeing it. Just so you have an idea of where I've been for the past week, here's more on what this number means to me.
The last time I weighed in at 230, I had a tiny baby in my arms. My second baby was 6 weeks old. When I found out I was pregnant with her, I weighed 245 lbs. I'd had a c-section with my first child and was terrified to go through that process again. I knew it would be worth it to have a healthy baby, but I was out-of-my-mind scared. I blamed the c-section for the depression which followed the birth of my first baby. Recovery was slow and painful and scary for me. Thinking of going through all that again with the addition of a toddler was mind-numbing.
I'm not sure my doctors ever fully understood the depth of my fear. But they did present me with a way out. A VBAC. I could have my second child naturally if nothing went wrong. I had to have a completely uneventful pregnancy AND I had to gain minimal weight. The sheer fact that I weighted 245 lbs at 8 weeks pregnant made me high risk; it didn't matter than my first pregnancy contained no weight-related complications (my c-section was required due to my first baby being in a breech position). Adding to my weight was the previous surgery. The doctors would accept no additional risk factors.
Fear is motivating. I went home from that first appointment determined to make this work. I made a plan. I joined BabyFit - Spark People's pregnancy accommodations. Using their exercise suggestions (which appeared to have actual pregnant women performing the exercises), I planned out a workout for 5 days a week. I did strength training MWF and walked for 30 minutes on TuTh. I also abandoned my habit-forming French Fry Fridays I'd adopted during my first pregnancy. These changes, constant monitoring by my OB and obsessive worrying on my part resulted in a 12 pound gain for my entire pregnancy.
For the first time in my health life, I felt powerful and successful. Move the body and monitor the food to get the results you seek. It was empowering and just what I needed to conquer my fears upon finding out I was pregnant a second time. During those months, I truly believed "You can do this!" and I did. It was terrific. And at my 6 week check up, my hard work was validated. I was 15 pounds lighter that I was at the start of the pregnancy. And I had two beautiful babies. Life was absolutely wonderful.
So this past week, I returned to that place. The place where I felt accomplished and powerful. I'd achieved my goals and felt terrific. I'm feeling a little more of that these days. Life is still wonder filled. And I can accomplish goals just as I did 2 years ago. I make a plan. I execute the plan. I find the results I seek.
Next up? More on the plan.
230
I am 10 pounds down from my start weight in January! This is 10 % of my overall goal! I'm just a little thrilled. *grin* I'm happy to be seeing progress and I'm hoping that I'll get to continue seeing it. Just so you have an idea of where I've been for the past week, here's more on what this number means to me.
The last time I weighed in at 230, I had a tiny baby in my arms. My second baby was 6 weeks old. When I found out I was pregnant with her, I weighed 245 lbs. I'd had a c-section with my first child and was terrified to go through that process again. I knew it would be worth it to have a healthy baby, but I was out-of-my-mind scared. I blamed the c-section for the depression which followed the birth of my first baby. Recovery was slow and painful and scary for me. Thinking of going through all that again with the addition of a toddler was mind-numbing.
I'm not sure my doctors ever fully understood the depth of my fear. But they did present me with a way out. A VBAC. I could have my second child naturally if nothing went wrong. I had to have a completely uneventful pregnancy AND I had to gain minimal weight. The sheer fact that I weighted 245 lbs at 8 weeks pregnant made me high risk; it didn't matter than my first pregnancy contained no weight-related complications (my c-section was required due to my first baby being in a breech position). Adding to my weight was the previous surgery. The doctors would accept no additional risk factors.
Fear is motivating. I went home from that first appointment determined to make this work. I made a plan. I joined BabyFit - Spark People's pregnancy accommodations. Using their exercise suggestions (which appeared to have actual pregnant women performing the exercises), I planned out a workout for 5 days a week. I did strength training MWF and walked for 30 minutes on TuTh. I also abandoned my habit-forming French Fry Fridays I'd adopted during my first pregnancy. These changes, constant monitoring by my OB and obsessive worrying on my part resulted in a 12 pound gain for my entire pregnancy.
For the first time in my health life, I felt powerful and successful. Move the body and monitor the food to get the results you seek. It was empowering and just what I needed to conquer my fears upon finding out I was pregnant a second time. During those months, I truly believed "You can do this!" and I did. It was terrific. And at my 6 week check up, my hard work was validated. I was 15 pounds lighter that I was at the start of the pregnancy. And I had two beautiful babies. Life was absolutely wonderful.
So this past week, I returned to that place. The place where I felt accomplished and powerful. I'd achieved my goals and felt terrific. I'm feeling a little more of that these days. Life is still wonder filled. And I can accomplish goals just as I did 2 years ago. I make a plan. I execute the plan. I find the results I seek.
Next up? More on the plan.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Plans for the Weekend
This weekend I will walk my second 5K. This 5K is truly a walk. It's a fundraising event for the National MS Society. I'm participating in the MS Walk for the first time. I've followed the event for years, but the timing has never worked out. I'm so happy to be able to join in this year. We'll be walking around downtown Annapolis, MD as a group in bright Hawaiian shirts. It's going to be a blast!
And for a wonderful cause. In the past 10 years, my life has been personally affected by MS. I do not have it, but two of my family members do. I can say that watching their struggles provides motivation for me to get my health in order as well as participate in an event like this. This is something I can do to help them as well as help myself meet my goals. I love when I'm reaching goals efficiently. *smile*
Looking at the website, there are other events all around the country. In Washington DC later this year there is a Challenge MS event. Challenge Walks are 30 - 50 mile walks over 2 - 3 days. There are 10 of them going on this year. Imagine walking 30 miles is 2 days. What an inspiring way to raise awareness for a disease which robs people of their ability to move. Maybe I could do something like that.
I'm not signing up today. Just thinking about it right now. My focus has to be getting healthy and out of PT before I take on something like a 30 mile walk. I imagine my physical therapist would have more than a few choice words for me if I presented the idea right now. But walking 5K is an approved and encouraged event. One which I am very very excited to do on Sunday!
Please consider supporting me and my team by making a donation today. Thank you!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Start Believing
Did you know that I can be a negative person?
Shockingly, I might be a pessimist. Maybe I'm the only person this surprises. I hope not. I always thought of myself as a happy person. But lately... Between my struggles with PT and adding dietary restrictions in my life and some deadline pressure applied at work... I've been very negative.
I appear to look at the bad side first. I complain before I appreciate. I critique the process before I fully engage in it.
And I'm starting to notice. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to change.
I've always thought there are two kinds of people, optimists and pessimists. All shades of gray between the two are represented by cynics. Cynics are people who were once Optimists but can't keep up the energy any more. They start to see the frayed edges, the faded colors. In time, Cynics become Pessimists. I remember years ago when I was an Optimist. But then I grew up. I became cynical, skeptical, suspicious. Without noticing I became a pessimist. I stopped believing.
How is this relevant?
Today a friend posted that she'd achieved a BMI of 24.6 with regular exercise. Initially I dismissed the number. BMI is just a way to label people, to judge them for being less. I won't let that number define me. I have enough to feel bad about without worrying about a number that doesn't even really mean anything. That number doesn't show how hard I work or how much I like vegetables.
Pause...
The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.
Think...
The overweight range is 25 to 29.9.
Consider...
My BMI is 38.8.
That is a very sobering thought. Where I am now is terrifying. Doctors use this number as a guide. it helps them assess where a person's health might be and what issues they may need to focus on. It's problem solving 101. And I have a big red flashing light over my head with siren blaring. There might even be one of those Vegas style neon signs. The doctors are paid to see the lights and sirens. That's why they've bugged me so much. I've refused to accept it.
Reconsider...
I need to lose 54 more pounds before I get to overweight.
The goal appears so very unattainable. Losing 54 pounds, just to be overweight at 179 pounds. Fifty four pounds and I'll stop being obese. This is an intermediate goal. This is a GOOD intermediate goal.
It's still gigantic. Huge. Obese, if you will. Bigger than I can wrap my mind around.
I have to start believing.
Others have done this. It is far from impossible. Everyone's process is different, but there are proven steps to attaining a goal like this. Move more. Eat less. Make better food choices. Love yourself. Be patient. Discard what doesn't work. Search for what does work. Keep fighting. Believe.
My definition of optimism was that of a pessimist. Anyone starting there had only to wait until life got hard and reality changed them. Pessimism was inevitable and I'd never considered a way out of it. Why would I? Once you stop believing, what could ever make you start again?
Results. That is my only answer. I have to embrace positive results. My results, but also the results achieved by others. I need to search for inspiration. As I reach goals, I must accept and celebrate the work it took to get here. As I progress, I pray that proof translates to belief. Belief in the process. Belief in myself. Belief that I can do this.
Shockingly, I might be a pessimist. Maybe I'm the only person this surprises. I hope not. I always thought of myself as a happy person. But lately... Between my struggles with PT and adding dietary restrictions in my life and some deadline pressure applied at work... I've been very negative.
I appear to look at the bad side first. I complain before I appreciate. I critique the process before I fully engage in it.
And I'm starting to notice. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to change.
I've always thought there are two kinds of people, optimists and pessimists. All shades of gray between the two are represented by cynics. Cynics are people who were once Optimists but can't keep up the energy any more. They start to see the frayed edges, the faded colors. In time, Cynics become Pessimists. I remember years ago when I was an Optimist. But then I grew up. I became cynical, skeptical, suspicious. Without noticing I became a pessimist. I stopped believing.
How is this relevant?
Today a friend posted that she'd achieved a BMI of 24.6 with regular exercise. Initially I dismissed the number. BMI is just a way to label people, to judge them for being less. I won't let that number define me. I have enough to feel bad about without worrying about a number that doesn't even really mean anything. That number doesn't show how hard I work or how much I like vegetables.
Pause...
The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.
Think...
The overweight range is 25 to 29.9.
Consider...
My BMI is 38.8.
That is a very sobering thought. Where I am now is terrifying. Doctors use this number as a guide. it helps them assess where a person's health might be and what issues they may need to focus on. It's problem solving 101. And I have a big red flashing light over my head with siren blaring. There might even be one of those Vegas style neon signs. The doctors are paid to see the lights and sirens. That's why they've bugged me so much. I've refused to accept it.
Reconsider...
I need to lose 54 more pounds before I get to overweight.
The goal appears so very unattainable. Losing 54 pounds, just to be overweight at 179 pounds. Fifty four pounds and I'll stop being obese. This is an intermediate goal. This is a GOOD intermediate goal.
It's still gigantic. Huge. Obese, if you will. Bigger than I can wrap my mind around.
I have to start believing.
Others have done this. It is far from impossible. Everyone's process is different, but there are proven steps to attaining a goal like this. Move more. Eat less. Make better food choices. Love yourself. Be patient. Discard what doesn't work. Search for what does work. Keep fighting. Believe.
My definition of optimism was that of a pessimist. Anyone starting there had only to wait until life got hard and reality changed them. Pessimism was inevitable and I'd never considered a way out of it. Why would I? Once you stop believing, what could ever make you start again?
Results. That is my only answer. I have to embrace positive results. My results, but also the results achieved by others. I need to search for inspiration. As I reach goals, I must accept and celebrate the work it took to get here. As I progress, I pray that proof translates to belief. Belief in the process. Belief in myself. Belief that I can do this.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Workout 120402: Inspiration
Today's workout:
20 min Arc Trainer (interval setting level 2)
10 min Treadmill (2.5 mph for 5 min; then cool down)
Hip Abductors (10 reps 3 sets each leg)
Bridges (15 reps with 5 sec hold)
Stretch
There are two people in my gym right now who inspire me. I'm not sure they even know they are there. I don't know their names.
One I first took note of about 6 weeks ago. He's an older man in decent physical shape (from the looks of it). There are a group of men and women who work out in the mornings and have been for so long that they know each other. He's part of the gym community. About 4 weeks ago, I overheard him talking with one of the women. He was going in for major back surgery. He'd been putting it off for years and finally the time had come. Today he returned to the gym. Wearing a back brace and looking a bit more tired than before, he was working out on the elliptical. People greeted him and welcomed him back. He smiled and chatted, the whole while continuing his workout.
I want to achieve physical fitness in my life. I see that in him. I want to gain control over my physical health and make maintaining it a part of my life. I think he personifies that for me. Someone who had made going to the gym and maintaining his health part of his life. Maybe it isn't even a priority, just something he does everyday. I don't know, but I like the dedication I see there.
The second person is a woman. I started seeing her in the gym about 3 weeks ago. She's heavier than me. She also appears to be more out of shape than I am. Each day I'm there I see her working out by herself or with a friend. It's hard work. She puts in at least an hour each morning. I don't know exactly how long, because I only put in 30-45 minutes. She's there working before and after me. While that is enough to admire, it isn't what inspires me. Every time I look her way, she is smiling. She chats with her friend and laughs. Though we've never been introduced, she smiles in greeting when we pass in the hall.
I want to appreciate the time that I have at the gym. I don't know why that woman smiles. Given the state of my health, on down days, I don't see a lot to smile about. I struggle to see the positive side of things. Maybe it is because I've never had it really bad. Maybe it is just my disposition. But in that woman I see hope. I don't know if it is real or just what I want to see, but that's what I find when she smiles at me. And, in turn, that hope in her makes me smile. I appreciate the time I have to work all this out just a little more.
20 min Arc Trainer (interval setting level 2)
10 min Treadmill (2.5 mph for 5 min; then cool down)
Hip Abductors (10 reps 3 sets each leg)
Bridges (15 reps with 5 sec hold)
Stretch
There are two people in my gym right now who inspire me. I'm not sure they even know they are there. I don't know their names.
One I first took note of about 6 weeks ago. He's an older man in decent physical shape (from the looks of it). There are a group of men and women who work out in the mornings and have been for so long that they know each other. He's part of the gym community. About 4 weeks ago, I overheard him talking with one of the women. He was going in for major back surgery. He'd been putting it off for years and finally the time had come. Today he returned to the gym. Wearing a back brace and looking a bit more tired than before, he was working out on the elliptical. People greeted him and welcomed him back. He smiled and chatted, the whole while continuing his workout.
I want to achieve physical fitness in my life. I see that in him. I want to gain control over my physical health and make maintaining it a part of my life. I think he personifies that for me. Someone who had made going to the gym and maintaining his health part of his life. Maybe it isn't even a priority, just something he does everyday. I don't know, but I like the dedication I see there.
The second person is a woman. I started seeing her in the gym about 3 weeks ago. She's heavier than me. She also appears to be more out of shape than I am. Each day I'm there I see her working out by herself or with a friend. It's hard work. She puts in at least an hour each morning. I don't know exactly how long, because I only put in 30-45 minutes. She's there working before and after me. While that is enough to admire, it isn't what inspires me. Every time I look her way, she is smiling. She chats with her friend and laughs. Though we've never been introduced, she smiles in greeting when we pass in the hall.
I want to appreciate the time that I have at the gym. I don't know why that woman smiles. Given the state of my health, on down days, I don't see a lot to smile about. I struggle to see the positive side of things. Maybe it is because I've never had it really bad. Maybe it is just my disposition. But in that woman I see hope. I don't know if it is real or just what I want to see, but that's what I find when she smiles at me. And, in turn, that hope in her makes me smile. I appreciate the time I have to work all this out just a little more.
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