“Let’s Start Strong!” I have been using my day “planner” more like a day “journal” – outlining my goals and focus five for the week and then celebrating my “DONES!” In preparation for this week, I cut out a headline from an old magazine: “Let’s Start Strong!” and pasted it into my planner. I needed the motivation because this week, I started some serious “Good Fitness!”
Twelve years ago, I was the strongest I’ve ever been. Regular workouts at the gym, power walks in my neighborhood, and a job that kept me moving all day long. I loved it. I had purpose to my workouts and a reason to keep at it…. until one day, I didn’t have that purpose.
The volunteering that I loved ended abruptly. Then I sold my business. Then I went back to university. Then I got a new job. All of this wasn’t bad. I’m thrilled my business was sold. And the volunteering, while it was no longer available, had opened up a door to a new work opportunity. Finishing university (for the second time 🙂 ) gave me that amazing job I love today. So all is good in that department.
However, I now sit. A lot. And there have been consequences! When I could once double-step my way up four flights of stairs, I now find myself winded at the top of one. The strength I used to have in my legs is gone. When I lift a gallon of milk, I feel it. Add in menopause and I feel like one tired, overweight lumpy former shell of myself. Did I mention I sit? A lot.
Now, it’s not all doom and gloom. I haven’t got completely to rot. My stomping buddy and I still go out for our evening walk several times per week. And I eat well. Mostly. And I eat junk stuff. Sometimes. But, I want better.
It was hitting yet another new decade on the scale that made me decide to change. This is the third time I’ve hit a decade on that scale. Seriously? I weigh “that much!” Sigh, the last time I hit a new decade I was just as shocked. Obviously the shock wasn’t enough because here it is, another decade later (by the way, a “decade” is 10 pounds). And then – would you believe it, the weight sneaked up another pound, and then two! I was well on my way to a fourth new decade past my comfort zone!
I need to drop at least two decades! And as I type this today, I’m proud to say I’m 25% of the way there.
But wait, there is dropping decades and there is getting strong. I want both. I want to be able to double-step up those four flights of stairs again! I want to be able to lift TWO gallons of milk – in each HAND! 🙂
Which brings me to this week. Good Fitness: “Let’s Start Strong!” I joined an online six-week fitness challenge. Approximately 30 minutes per day. I just finished day three. As expected, I’m sore today. And that’s good, because sore is healing and healing is getting stronger. I also learned that I can still bend, I can manage with 5 and 10 pound weights, and drum roll please… there was this exercise to roll up from the floor to a stand and I did it!
Two cool things: first, the instructor says it’s normal to get on and off the fitness wagon over and over again. Her goal at the end of the six-weeks is to help us stay on that wagon. Second, I have my husband doing this challenge with me. We’re having a blast. I do the groaning, he does the eye-rolling LOL! In all seriousness, I have completed three more days of good fitness this week, than I’ve done in several years.
I’ve got this. We’ve got this. Good fitness: Let’s Start STRONG!
Cheers,
Cindy
PS: Those three gold stars? You bet I’m marking my DONES with stickers! Three days in a row!
