FertilehealthyAiming for success, not perfection…

I’ve never been fit.  In my family sport was something that happened to other people on TV.  

Sure, I rode my bicycle or walked to school, but that was just getting around.  Even as a young  adult I used to walk a lot because I didn’t own a car until I got married for the first time at age 26.  But, while it sort of kept me in shape, it didn’t make me fit.

Of course, the minute I got into that first car, I ballooned!  It’s all been pretty much downhill from there…

In the intervening years I never gave fitness a thought.  Why would I, when I couldn’t get up from the floor unassisted, tie my shoes without getting out of breath, cross my legs when sitting, squat or get out of the bath tub?  Life was just one big obstacle course and I was failing it big time!

Through the years, while studying health and nutrition, I learned that health is not possible without regular physical activity.  I kept telling myself that I would work on my eating habits first and only once I’ve shed a chunk of weight, tackle the physical activity.

In the last year I’ve become more enamored with the idea of actually getting fit, instead of just being more active.  I realized that that would require a whole new mind set.  I would be training,  not just moving more. For what, I didn’t quite know, but I figured that I didn’t need to see the whole staircase in order to take the first step.

The first battle was in my mind.  I had to let go of the “princess-mentality”.  I had to realize that it was going to be hard, often unpleasant and sometimes painful.  I had to accept that I was going to sweat (eeeoow!) and get tired.  And more importantly, I had to start believing that I could do it!  That I had the guts and determination.  That took a while, but I’ve got it now!

The next step was to start, not neccessarily slowly, but wisely. Yes it was going to be uncomfortable, but I could push myself through that.  Discomfort is fine, but I didn’t want to injure myself.  I had to really tune into my body to figure out the difference.

A few years ago I took some Pilates lessons from a private studio and I knew that this was something that I wanted to incorporate in my program right from the start.  Fortunately my gym (the renowned Sport Science Institute of South Africa – I couldn’t be in better hands!) offers expert tuition in Pilates, so I was sorted.  I started on 5 January, doing one Orientation,  one Foundation and two  Basic classes each week.  The results have been spectacular!

It doesn’t matter than I’m the fattest person in the class and can’t do some of the movements yet.  For instance I can’t lie on my stomach and stretch my quad and hip flexor by grabbing hold of my foot behind my back.  But I can use a strap to hold my foot and do the rest of the movement – engaging the center, tilting the pelvis slightly, lengthening through the coccyx and crown of the head, relaxing the shoulders and breathing into the back and sides of the ribcage.  Being as heavy as I am, my glutes and hamstrings aren’t strong enough to support myself on just one leg when in pelvic curl/shoulder bridge position.  But I’m getting there. 

Every Pilates class is hard work for me, but I see improvements every single time.  My stability is getting better and since last week I’ve been able to pull myself  up into a seated position from prone using only my glutes and abdominals and not the legs and back.  That is great progress!  Yesterday I noticed that I could sit on the floor and cross my legs!

The real beauty of Pilates (can you tell I’m a fan?) is that it’s designed to improve one’s every day life.  By identifying and training muscles that I haven’t used in a long time, my posture has improved and I can now stand for longer (which helps with the ironing) without getting backache.  In fact, backache is a thing of the past.  I can clean my house without needing a wheelchair afterwards.  I can walk, bend, reach and tie my shoes because I’ve strengthened my muscles in only four weeks!  My balance has improved a great deal and I can now climb stairs without fear of falling.  And this is only just the beginning! 

I really recommend Pilates for anyone, but especially when you’re overweight.  You reap the rewards so quickly.  I would advise signing up for classes instead of using DVD’s, because the movements are small and precise and you need to be sure, via constant feedback from a very skilled instructor, that you’re using the appropriate muscles and breathing correctly. 

For me, Pilates is the cornerstone of my fitness routine because it helps with everything else.

I started walking on New Years Day.  Initially I couldn’t do more than a slow 25 minutes, during which my back and hips would start aching.  That wasn’t due to injury, but rather postural problems and disuse, so I knew I could push through that.  Sure it was uncomfortable, but it was worth it.  I can now walk 5 km comfortably without any aches and pains.  All of this in just four weeks!  I walk five days per week.  Twice a week I do only 20 minutes on the treadmill, but I jack up the speed, and even jog for a few two-minute intervals.  Twice a week I do 5 km outside on the road (come rain or shine) and once a week I do 40-60 minutes on the treadmill at a higher incline – obviously at a slower pace.  This program will keep changing as I get fitter.  I would love to run more eventually, but I’ll wait until I weigh below 220 pounds, in order to protect my knees and ankles.  For  now I only run on the treadmill and not on the road. 

Pilates had a lot to do with the increase in comfort when walking and I make sure to engage my core muscles throughout my workout.

Two weeks ago I started doing strength and resistance work and it’s quite a novel thing for me.  I’m currently doing about 25 minutes twice a week, but will keep researching, learning, tweaking, refining and increasing this aspect.  I want to incorporate balls, resistance bands and free weights in the near future, as I’m only using machines at this stage.

Recently I ventured into the pool for Aqua Aerobics and I’m hooked!  This is another area where I can appreciate the role of Pilates.  For now I’m doing it only once a week, but will surely be able to tweak my schedule, without sacrificing anything else, to fit more classes in.  I urge all my overweight readers to get over their fear of appearing a bathing suit (nobody cares, really!) and consider this form of exercise.  The water provides resistance, but also support and massage, so you work hard without feeling any pain or discomfort.  You know you’ve worked when you get out of the pool!

You may remember I mentioned that I’d tried Tae Bo.  I love it, but have decided that it would have to wait a while.  The constant stop-start and changing direction didn’t feel right in my ankles and knees and I fear that I would injure myself.  I’ll have to lose some more weight first, so Billy’s on the back burner for now!  But I’ll be back!

So, what’s next?  Improving my endurance, getting more flexible in body (and mind!) and building muscle.  The fabulous Ordinarylife, who is training for her second Ironman, suggested that I start doing 5K fun walks.  Apparently that’s where she started…  I like the idea!    In the distant future I might like to get a power kite, which I believe provides quite a workout and is heaps of fun.

I know I’ve rambled on and on, but I wanted to write this post to encourage people who are not used to exercise to give it a go.  Don’t be intimidated.  If you can only shuffle along at a snail’s pace, do it!  Eventually you’ll shuffle for longer and faster.  Don’t concentrate on what you can’t do, but DO what you can and keep pushing yourself until you can go to the next level.

I can’t do this…

or this…

… and it will be a while before I can!  But there is so much I can do!

Our bodies are designed to move.  Exercise has a profound effect on our hormones and our general health.  And yes, it’s a vital part of our weight loss journeys.

But here’s why I love exercise now:

• It allows me to get in touch with my body in a way I never have before. 
• I am so impressed with my body’s willingness to work and adapt and that makes me even more determined to feed my body only the best quality food for optimum health and performance.  I realize now that while pampering is nice, we shouldn’t molly-coddle ourselves. 
• These days I love touching my body… I can feel the muscles under the layers of fat and skin. I love seeing my shape change.  
• I feel so much more capable and strong in every area of my life. 
• I sleep better, digest my food better and look healthy and alive!
• I have a new-found respect for myself!  That is worth every drop of sweat!

And one day I’m going to be fit!  Anyone game for that?

Please note that I’m a complete novice at exercise.  This post is an account of my personal experience and is meant for encouragement, not technical advice!  If you want to get expert fitness advice, visit Mizfit or Kelly.