Getting Fit Needn’t Be a Grind

I am one of those thin people that look like she’s never been overweight. But that isn’t my story. I grew up being one of the fattest girls in school and struggled to keep my weight at a respectable level. I was consoled by the fact I was told I hadlarge bones, which is what many overweight kids are often told.

Later, I discovered low-fat dieting in the late 1980s, and that brought down my weight, but because I wasn’t exercising, also left me flabby. During the 1990s I did the gym routine, had a personal trainer and even bought home equipment during those years, and I always meant to keep it up. I also added in walking, but I only spent a couple of years exercising seriously enough to change my body fat ratio.

Then when I hit my forties, the weight came backalong with some medicalissues that led to a definingwake-up call. I resolved to work out regularly no matter what, and I became a success story. It took a while, but I discovered I could and wanted to do more to get into better shape. And in time my body completely changed and became fit. From this grew a passion for fitness and then a decision to get certified as a trainer, fitness coach, and then eating coach. My family was rather stunned by my new found occupation. Wasn’t I the one that hated to exercise? That was me.

Do you like to exercise? If you had asked me that question ten years ago, I would have given you an emphaticNo. But something changed for me.

I discovered the pleasure of exercise by doing it in a way that suited me best.

What I learned is that exercise doesn’t have to be boring, painful, sweaty or excruciating. In fact it is best to do exercise in moderation and in a way that brings the most enjoyment and exhilaration. Sounds like a novel concept, doesn’t it? But it wasn’t that long ago that the way most people got exercise was by going outside for a hike or bike ride, playing sports or games, and getting out on the slopes or the water.

Our ideas about exercise have changed because of busy lifestyles and gym memberships. Now when most of us think about exercise, what comes to mind is gym equipment, fast routines, and working up a hard sweat. Unfortunately that leads to burn out, injury, disappointment and quitting.

Think of the last time you joined a gym or bought gym equipment with enthusiasm? How long did you stick with it? If you are like the average person, it was less than two months. Few are still at it after six months. Why is that? What kept you from sticking with it? These are things you want to understand, so you can figure what feels good to you and what will motivate you to stick with it in the future.

If you are like most people, the biggest issue is you don’t enjoyworking out or you got hurt doing it. For me, I actually like gym equipment. I just don’t like using it at the gym. What is important is determining what works for you. What would feel good or enjoyable to you?

Walking and dancing often fall into this category. I also have clients that have rediscovered their hula hoop, gotten excited by fun videos or found a new passion by taking up kayaking. There are so many ways to be active that get your heart rate up into the aerobic fat-burning zone.

Think of one or two aerobic activities you’ve always liked to do (it could date back to grade school or high school), and then remember how good it felt to do it and to be active. This is the feeling you want to have when you exercise.