I thought I would give you a little background on why I decided to do this.
Those of you who have followed this blog or my blog know that my goal for 2006 was to lose weight for my 20th high school reunion later that year. This was a huge challenge becuase over the years, I have put on the pounds due to laziness and ass-horizonaltology. I also wanted to get fit becuase it would help in managing my RA. I was tired of the steroid treatments that caused me to gain weight. Also, I knew that regular exercise would keep the flares to a minimum.
So, I began a slow process of reincorporating fitness into my life. At that time in '06, my fitness level was very low. I had no energy. Working out was painful. I decided to start by working out one day a week for 30 minutes. At first, I thought I was going to die of pain. But, the slow progression allowed my body to adjust. Also, I could schedule working out to fit my hectic schedule.
Over the next few months, I began to add to my workouts. One workout became two days a week, two days a week became three. I increased the duration and intensity. I even added strength and flexibility. I was feeling great. At reunion time that November, I lost 20 pounds and dropped two sizes.
It was not always easy. There were many days when I just did not want to work out. I would have preferred a root canal over working out. But, what helped were my "girls", friends from work with whom I worked out. We supported each other and pushed each other. There were times one of use would have to drag the other to the gym. We kept each other sane. I would reward myself with non-food rewards to celebrate small milestones, like when I could walk two miles in 30 minutes, or when I reached my goal of working out two days a week.
Sadly, I lost my job at the end of '06 and fell into a huge depression. I spent the majority of '07 getting myself back emotionally and mentally. I also had some illnesses, injuries and mishaps that made working out less of a priority. Now, that I am in a better place, I am ready to get back in shape. Sadly, I regained the 20 pounds, but it's OK becuase I know that I can lose it again, and then some. When my clothes started getting a little tight, I knew I had to get back in gear.
I wanted to re-lose the weight that I gained, plus get toned. That's when I had a thought. Why not get others to join in? It makes it more do-able when you have others to support you. Many of use have the same goals, but need that extra support to make them reality. I thought about a challenge, not like a "Lets see who can lose the most, but a let's work together to make fitness part of our lives. I bounced the idea of a challenge to some folks and well, you know the rest.
Now for my challenge update...
Yesterday, I did 35 minutes on my treadmill at home. Just a steady state, no intervals or anything. It felt pretty good. The only bad thing is that my Ipod died recently, so I had to dig out some CD's to listen to while working out! I will be shopping for a new one this weekend.
So that's my story. What's yours????
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2 comments:
I am a recovering addict, food and exercise addict that is. I was an athlete in high school and my freshman year of college. When I had to quit my sport due to injury, I got so worried that I would put on weight (swimmers are known to pork out after they quit), I went off the deep end with not eating enough and exercising too much.
That lasted several years but about 10 years ago I decided that a healthy balance was what I needed. I have pretty much been doing that ever since.
About two years ago, I switched to early morning workouts and found that it increased my productivity at work, made me sleep better at night, and allowed me to say yes to after work social events--since I had already worked out for the day.
I added drinking water as my goal for 2007 and since doing so, lost a whole clothing size without even trying and by actually eating more!
I hear you about being a former athlete. I was a runner, gymnast and figure skater. I stopped doing that stuff in college. My weight was fine until after law school and I started getting sick. I battled the over-exercising and not eating to the point that I had to see someone about eating disorders. Getting RA made me realize just how important your body is and how much you should protect it.
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