Fitness. It was one of two goals I selected for myself this year. Not dieting, but fitness. Fitness is one of the largest challenges I have in my life. Genetically speaking, I did OK. But, even genetics can’t get you fit. It takes putting one foot in front of the other, day after day after day, for the rest of your life! Now, that’s daunting.
I hate going to gyms, and exercising with friends is out because we’re all on different busy schedules. Fitness gurus always tell you to find something you love that you will stick with. So what’s to love? The truth is I hate to run, I’m a terrible swimmer and hate what chlorine does to my hair, bicycling hurts my butt, dancing is good but I turn bright red and the instructors have been know to descend from their stages and query the status of my heart as they see their insurance rates ascending, and I’m quite sure I’m the only one in a yoga class that can’t form a perfect “U” with my body. I do like to kayak on placid lakes but can’t seem to get the boat off the top of the car without help. It’s grim I know.
It seems that all fitness gurus say that if you don’t work out in the morning, chances are you will not do it at all. Now, here’s my problem…I’m at my most creative in the morning hours so why would I want to waste that creative energy on working out? I recently tried waiting until 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon when I start loosing my edge, but you know what? I never made it out of the house. So, here is the new idea I am going to try…walking with my handheld recorder. That way, any creative notion can be recorded with the click of a button. I guess talking into that recorder will not garner any questioning glances, as this is the era of a cell phone on every ear!
So, what else can I do? Pull out the file of strengthening and stretching exercises my personal trainer gave me (yes, it’s true…I even tried that), and work my way through them, alternating aerobic and weight days. Or, I can even try the 20-minute program my concerned brother customized for me recently. And, it seems I’ve missed the new yoga and pilates studio that has come to town…hmmm.
So, what’s positive in this? Well, this morning I did go for a walk, and that general sense of guilt I usually carry around all day from behaving like a torporic sloth was mitigated, so my self-esteem was enhanced.
This was my first day, but I know with your help and encouragement I can get fit and you can too. Truly, if I’m able to accomplish this anyone can.
Here are some resources that can help.
Books:
The 30 Day Total Health Makeover: Everything You Need to Do to Change Your Body, Your Health, and Your Life in 30 Amazing Days by Marilu Henner
Strong Women, Strong Bones, Updated by Miriam E. Nelson, PhD
Strong Women Stay Young by Miriam E. Nelson, PhD
The Dish: On Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! By Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RD and Densie Webb, PhD, RD
Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Third Edition by Nancy Clark, MS, RD
The New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide To A Healthy Vegetarian Diet by Brenda Davis, RD and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD
Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet by Brenda Davis, RD and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD
The Mcdougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health by John A. McDougall, MD
Everyday Cooking with Dr. Dean Ornish: 150 Easy, Low-Fat, High-Flavor Recipes by Dean Ornish, MD
ConsumerLab. Com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements: What's Really in the Bottle? by Tod Cooperman, MD; William Obermeyer, PhD; Densie Webb, PhD, RD
Websites:
The not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is the leading independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. - http://www.healthywomen.org
Environmental Nutrition - http://www.environmentalnutrition.com
Mayo Clinic Health Letter - http://www.mayoclinic.org
Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter - http://www.healthletter.tufts.edu
University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter - http://www.berkeleywellness.com
