New Beginnings

I know that God has a sense of humor.  Three years ago, I would have been the least likely candidate to blog about fitness on a consistent regular basis.

But, this is what I’m signing up to do!

After my 30th birthday, I knew I needed to make some changes.  I had blood work done as part of a physical with a new physician and she called me, concerned about some of my numbers.  “Nothing to freak out about right now,” she said, “but we’ll need to keep an eye on these things.” Blood sugar.  Cholesterol.  Triglicerides.  The number on the scale?  Too high. “Here are some things you can do…” she began.

The list didn’t contain anything I wasn’t expecting: Low-fat diet, watch sugar intake, get some exercise.

I’d heard it before, but now I was 30.  This wasn’t going to get any easier.  So I thought about it for a few weeks, felt guilty about not doing anything for a few weeks more and then I became so tired of the guilty feeling that I joined a gym.  It was an all female gym with trainers.  They weighed me, measured me, taught me how to use the machines and told me they expected me to be there at least three times each week.

I started going 4 times a week and I started losing weight.  I started paying attention to what I was eating and what I was feeding my family.  I felt better than I had in years.  I was better able to handle stress, I had so much more energy, I felt a lot more confident and I didn’t feel complete revulsion when I looked in the mirror.

I turn 33 this year.  Last year, I left my small gym and joined the Y.  I use the elliptical trainer or other elliptical type machines 4-5 times each week and do the weight circuit 2-3 times each week. I try to get some good stretching and yoga in at home 2-3 times a week as well.  I have cut way back on my sugar intake and read labels and try to avoid foods that have artificial things in them.  The number on the scale is stubborn, but recent bloodwork has made my doctors very happy–all of my numbers are well in the normal range.

The best reward of the healthy turn I took with my life?  I am better able to give my very best to God, to my family and to my ministry.  The energy, the confidence, the ability to move and hike and work and chase children all mean that I say “I can’t…” a lot less.  I love knowing that I can do things that I hesitated to do three years ago.

It didn’t happen all at once.  I am still working toward my goals regarding weight, endurance and healthy eating.  But I am so glad I started and am committed to finishing this journey!