Fitness Challenge
It had to happen sooner or later. I have to focus on the fitness “pillar” of the Skinnythick program! Remember that our philosophy at Skinnythick is that successful weight loss is based upon three pillars: attitude, nutrition and fitness.
Fitness is sometimes the toughest pillar to attempt, manage and eventually conquer.
For some of us, the fitness challenge requires that we be willing to meet aches and pains and work through them. For some of us, the fitness challenge requires that we be willing to make time to make ourselves a priority and focus on our health.
For me, the fitness challenge requires that I be willing to risk people commenting on my weight as I go to the very place which is designed to help me to get healthier. It is an interesting problem to want to get healthier, but be too afraid to go to the gym for fear of humiliation and ridicule from the other gym members.
The question is how do you overcome your personal challenge. For me, I looked for a gym that worked with patients from a local hospital who had undergone bariatric surgery. The people at this particular gym were heavier and on their journey to better health as a result of gastric bypass surgery. I figured that I would be accepted at a gym where there were already a lot of heavier people working out. It’s sad that this is part of my thought process in getting a gym, but it was what helped me make it into the gym. Whatever works!
The great thing about fitness is that you ALWAYS feel better AFTER you leave. What I mean by this is that I often go to the gym “kicking and screaming” but once I have completed my routine and I leave the gym, I am so happy that I went and that I didn’t get intimidated about going.
Currently, my fitness routine consists of simply walking. I add to that a bit of weight lifting and core work. I always remember to stretch after walking and incorporate a cool down. A few years ago, I had lost a lot of weight, during that period, I set a goal of walking in a 5K, so I was able to have a goal by which to measure my walking progress. You might want to set a goal when you undertake a fitness routine.
Since I’m starting again on my health journey, I will start with just GOING to the gym. Then I will focus on increasing my walking time on the treadmill. I’ll also add the recumbent bicycle just to keep my body moving. Then I will work to increase my workout adding minutes every week until I get up to a 45-60 minute schedule 4-5 times a week.
So, to quote the famous sneaker firm, when it comes to fitness…JUST DO IT!
