I have always been fit - even before I lost the weight. I took PE all through high school, even after it became optional. I signed up for "Superfit" in Grade 11 (what a lame name!) and actually won the Grade 10 PE award. I liked running - I think I liked the challenge. Before I lost the weight I ran in a bunch of races, 5 km, 10 km, and three 1/2 marathons. I was fit and active, but not as healthy as I could be.
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| My sister and I before our first 5k |
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| Getting ready for the Sun Run |
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| Mid-way through a half marathon |
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| With my Dad after a half-marathon |
You can be fit and overweight. And you can be skinny and unfit.
Even though I started running in part to lose weight, it wasn't until I made changes in my diet that I noticed any change in my clothes or on the scale. But even though exercising didn't cause me to lose weight, it had its own set of rewards. Although I was obese, I was strong, (relatively) solid, and could run for 13 miles!
After I started tracking my food and making better food choices, the weight started coming off. I still was active and worked out occasionally, but my focus became more about diet and less about exercise. I also struggled mentally with exercise because it made the scale go up. I realize that "I don't like working out because it makes me gain weight" is a terrible excuse. But at the time, it really bothered me and honestly, I was doing just fine without working out more than once or twice a week.
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| After I lost the weight, but before really committing to exercise |
But now that I'm firmly in maintenance mode, exercise has once again become important to me. I have no desire to be slim (can I call myself slim??) and weak. I want to be strong! Since the last week of December I have been very active and I am already seeing changes. My endurance has increased and I can see muscle definition. But yes, the scale has gone up. My clothes fit like they do when I'm at goal weight, but I'm still 3 lbs heavier. But this time I'm going to try not to worry about it. I'm going to stay on track with my eating AND working out, because I think to be truly healthy requires both!
Yay for finding balance between the number on the scale and your fitness level. You are awesome!!! (AND you make a mean dinner!! :) )
ReplyDeleteI just had a conversation with someone about this before a class at the gym the other day. I think maybe there had been a segment on TV about fat and fit that got us talking. I was thin and unfit growing up. I still remember my doctor, when I was a high school senior, saying I had NO muscle tone. I had no idea what he was talking about! I didn't really begin to exercise until I was diagnosed with high cholesterol as an adult. It took me years to make exercise a habit. But one reason I keep at it is that now I enjoy being fit:)
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