Confession. I hate to exercise. I know I’m supposed to like it, but I don’t. I like the results that come from exercise, but the whole sweating, heart racing, muscles aching thing is lost on me.
Years ago I was really out of shape. It was so bad in fact, that my doctor warned me that my life would be shortened if I didn’t make a change. At the time I had just lost my daughter, so that didn’t really phase me much. I think I was passively letting myself go so that nature would take its course and claim me.
I know that’s depressing, but I have to be honest with you. It’s where I was at the time.
And I stayed that way for awhile. Out of shape. Out of hope. Disgusted with myself over who I had become.
But one day something grabbed my core and shook the hell out of it. Woke me up from some deep slumber. A health coma, really. I can’t for the life of me tell you what triggered it.
Honestly? I think it was God saying it wasn’t my time to die yet. I wasn’t particularly willing to do anything about it, but I think he wasn’t particularly willing for me to leave two kids and a husband behind. So he intervened.
Of course this is just my opinion and based on my beliefs system. And I believe he saved me.
In six months time I lost 35% of my body weight. I did it through diet and exercise. 1,250 calories per day and daily workouts at the gym six days a week.
When I say workouts, I mean walking on the treadmill. Nothing glamorous. Just me, my cd player (it was eleven years ago, after all), and the treadmill. Three miles per hour, six days per week. Without fail.
As I walked those miles day in and day out, I watched skinny women prance around the gym in their little workout thongs, their racer back tanks, and their skin tight gym shorts. I have to tell you, that sucked.
But six months later I hit my goal weight and I moved my walking routine to the great outdoors. Never a workout thong to be seen again. Thank God.
I wish I was brave enough to share with you the before and after pictures, but I’m just not there yet. Maybe someday…
And here I am eleven years later and I’ve kept the weight off for the most part. Sure, I’ve crept up a bit over the years, but only by a few pounds which I try very hard to correct as soon as I see the scale going upwards.
People often times ask me how I kept the weight off. The answer is exercise.
The plain truth is that I exercise to eat. Some people eat to live, but that’s not my truth. I love to eat. And if I want to enjoy the yummier things in life, then I have to pay the piper by moving my body enough to burn those extra calories. I’m willing to do that.
I figure I eat about 2,200 calories a day. If I did that daily and didn’t move my butt, I’d be in big trouble. But because I walk five miles a day, my weight is stable.
It takes me one and a half hours a day to walk those five miles. That is a huge chunk of my time. A selfish endeavor really considering that I’m a mom of four. But I’ve learned that I have to be selfish that way if I’m to stay healthy. And if I want those extra calories to enjoy. Trust me. I do.
A positive result of my selfishness is that I’ve inspired my sons to get moving themselves. Both of my boys walk those five miles with me. Not all of the time, but frequently. This makes me happy because they are willing to move. And that is half of the battle.
If you need to lose weight, the first thing I’d suggest you do is visit the doctor. Make a plan of action and start moving your body if your doctor says you are able.
I know exercise isn’t fun. Well, it isn’t for me anyway. However, it is key to weight loss. And if I can lose 35% of my body weight, you can lose weight too. There is nothing special about me. It all boils down to calories consumed, calories burned and creating a calorie deficit.
And moving your tushie. Yeah, that.
How about you? Do you like to exercise? Are you working on losing weight? How’s it going for you? Let’s chat about it.
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In the fall i discovered weight lifting– not crazy, muscle builder guy weight lifting but some great women stuff. I had been noticing it was helping drop the pounds that the cardio wasn’t touching. Sadly i had a new year surprise– i’m due at the end of aug and the prg with other health issues makes it tough to keep up with my two kids(4 and 2) and exercise. I’ve been saving my magazines and work outs though for when I can start back up again this fall. I have a few at home work outs that i can due without the need to expose the new guy to a gym day care during cold and flu.
So you might wanna look into some basic weight exercises– new muscle will help eat up those calories. I found i had to eat almost 1800 calories a day when working out and still lose weight(maintaining would have been closer to 2000)
Sarah- Isn’t that a great surprise?? Congrats? I’m very interested in learning more about incorporating weights into my daily routine. I have the darn weights. I just need to pick them up. Sounds like you had good success with it. Thanks for sharing that with me. I sure hope your health improves and that you have a healthy baby who sleeps through the night from the get-go.
walking is basically the only exercise i can do after a knee surgery that didn’t go quite as planned. its been 2 years and i still have no feeling on the knee cap so that’s fun
any who, i’m glad to see that walking helped you loose weight and now maintain your weight loss 
it gives me hope.
I do find walking to be less jarring on the knees. And in your situation, that’s a good thing. My doctor told me I could jog or run, but I’m not willing to take the chance. Bionic pelvis or not. As far as hope, there’s always that.
i’ve never been a runner even when i was a kid. i was one of those who didn’t really see the point i think lol
yeah i like the fact that since i’ve been walking my knees are getting a touch better. never the same as they used to be but better.
I have enough weight and food issues just like many women. Ugh!
U should share your photos. Not only did you lose weight but you have maintained it for 11 yrs! That is awesome and I bet those pictures could be the inspiration some of your readers might need to start or keep going with their weight loss.
I know that you’re right, but it makes me feel naked. Maybe I’ll get there someday.
Congrats on losing the weight and keeping it of f! And I just wanted to say that I think it’s so awesome that you are walking with your sons.
Thank you! I’m pretty sure the only reason they walk with me is to lose weight so that they can find a girlfriend. Oh well. I’ll take it.
Right there with you sister! I love team sports, but at nearly 40 with 2 small kids, the intense team sports of my choice just don’t exist out here. So I plunk my butt on the treadmill/trail and watch the miles drag by. Because I like chocolate. And wine. And pasta. And… : )
My God, do they drag, and drag. That’s my biggest struggle with it. Boredom. I’m right there with you on the chocolate and wine. I gave up pasta entirely because I can’t be moderate with it. Same thing with bagels. I had to totally walk away from them. I still make pasta for my family, but I skip it. I find if I don’t eat it, I don’t miss it. That doesn’t work with chocolate though. Dang it.
I decided this week that I am going to start a weight-loss blog to chronicle my journey. There will be no pictures, just weight figures. My 50th class reunion is in 2014, so that will be my target date and 100 lbs weight loss as my goal. People swear I should not lose that much and are shocked at my weight. Well, thankfully, it does not show! I can feel it though. My classmates all saw me overweight and limping, so I am not trying to impress anyone, just avoid diabetes and an early death. Oh, yes, I would like to be able to dance again.
Maybe I have said this. My last verterbrae is sitting on bone, nothing in between. The doctor is shocked I can walk at all. Then, I have two herniated discs and the L5 is pushed out of line. THEN, I have a torn L rotator cuff and a torn L lateral meniscus. I gained weight waiting for surgery for a torn R meniscus on the other knee. I cannot exercise. I have to do something to ward off diabetes, at least. And, I have to get the nerve and resources to have the back surgery. I won’t be able to walk and will have to relearn after surgery. That frightens me to face that alone. While you were going through your trauma last year, I was so happy you had people to help you and a little envious…in a good way. I know that by standing still, I am rushing headlong to an early death. Until I can afford the things I need, cane, walker, and lift chair that are all prescribed for me, I am stuck. Walking to the car is a good walk for me. I ride an electric cart in all stores.
Actually, I must figure what exercise I can do. Bike riding outdoors would be my choice of exercise. I spent my life until the age of 35 riding a bike with a younger sibling or a child or two of my on the back of the bike. With two children on the bike, I carried an extra 50+ lbs.
On top of all the orthopedic problems, I have fibromyalgia.
I like to do some exercises. Now, the machines are the best for me. Earlier in my life, I injured both hands. One was almost ripped off my arm, so pushups, pullups, pulling on rubber bands, anything with my hands won’t work. I wish I could tumble again, a passion of mine even though I was not very good…lol.
Oh goodness. Ok, let me give you a little reassurance on one thing. Yes, I had family and friends here when I was learning to walk again, BUT they weren’t my true support that way. My physical therapists were. I’m sure you will have PT, and they are such an amazing help. They will help you regain your strength and will coach you along back to mobility. One of my physical therapists is now a good friend.
That said, it would be good for you to reach out to someone for support on the home front. If you don’t have family or friends nearby, you might be able to join a support group at your local hospital pre-op. And maybe you will meet people there who will help you and you could return the favor. I’d call local hospitals and community centers to see what groups are available.
There have been plenty of times in my life when I’ve felt alone. When I found myself in that place I searched for opportunities to make new connections. I’ve used meetup.com to start my own group, checked group listings in my local paper, and struck up conversations with people at the store, or wherever just to see if there was a possibility of friendship.
And in your situation it sounds like a good friend is in order. That’s my prayer for you, anyway. That and total healing of course.
Thanks. The “local” hospital is over 50 miles away to the north where my surgeon is located and will do surgery. My friends who would rally around me are 50 miles to the south of me. My friends here all died or moved! It is problematic, to say the least. I dread being in the nursing home for three weeks after a 10-day hospital stay. If I have a roommate, I will drag myself out the front door of the nursing home. Flowers cannot be in the room with me and the smell of a smoker will both make me seriously ill. So, that will make me popular. Maybe I will be heavily drugged…lol.
I live in a small cliquish town. The people who have offered to help me are not people I do not want to know my home is vacated for a month! So, bascally, I will inform no one here what is happening.
I am glad to know the physical therapists are so helpful and friendly. That makes me feel better. I know you understand the having to learn to walk again part.
My friend is permanently in a wheelchair after being on her feet for 65 years. I read her the incident you wrote about being stuck in the pantry trying to get cookies and just sitting stuck and eating before you freed yourself. She laughed until she had tears, and then she laughed some more.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Lol, those cookies never tasted as good as they did in that closet, lol. If you struggle and you need someone to talk to during your recovery, please email me. I know that it can be overwhelming. You’ll get through it. It won’t be easy, but it will work itself out. It always does.
Writing in a food journal (on-line or on a phone AP) every now and then keeps me on track. It helps me to make better food choices. I have discovered tennis this summer. It’s a great work out and I love having “girl time” with my sister-in-law. I don’t love walking by myself, but I have been trying to do 2 miles a day while I’m home in the summer. It’s not much but it’s better than nothing!
Yes!! I’m not sure why I didn’t mention the food journal. I record every single calorie I consume. I’ve been doing that for a decade. It is so important to be aware of that. And anything that gets you moving is better than nothing. Two miles is a good walk! Tennis is a heck of a workout. I’m too much of a klutz to play. I’d hurt myself, lol.
I HATE exercise. I truly do. I hate it with a passion. My husband on the other hand loves it. blah haha. I’ve started walking some again. I use to go to the gym everyday and I did loose a ton of weight but it was miserable haha. I didn’t enjoy the gym one bit and even at my skinniest I was never happy with how I looked. A few months ago, I said enough is enough and declared that I was in love with me for me, and not in love with with what society wants me to be. I’m still working on making that true, and struggle with it everyday, but even though I’m overweight now, I’ve never been happier. Now that I’m working on “making my body healthy so I can live longer” instead of “Working out to be skinny so I’ll be perfect” its easier for me to get into working out. haha
I get it. I really do. You need to do whatever it takes for you to be happy with you. No matter your weight. Because being miserable is unhealthy too. For my life I’ve given up perfect, but I can’t give up healthy. I have fought too hard to get to where I am today considering everything. Not to mention, I was a full blown diabetic 11 years ago and my blood pressure was at medication level. Today I have normal blood pressure and no diabetes. Thank God.
It’s been a real struggle to keep the weight off and there have been times when I’ve wanted to say the hell with it. So, I can totally relate with how you feel.
Oh Melanie, it’s just so pretty here! I looked all around and I just love it!
So anyhow, since my birthday I’ve been very careful about what I’ve been eating. I’ll have a spoonful or forkful of desserts instead of the entire serving.) But I’m very all or nothing with exercise so I have to wait until after BlogHer to start that routine. Just those 4-5 days of not working out could derail me this early, so I didn’t want to do that to myself. It was better to just wait and focus on the food for now. (Of course, that will all probably go to pot when I get to NYC…lol.)
Liz- I’m go glad you like it! My personality matches yours to a T. I’m an all or nothing girl too, which is why we hit it off I think. And BlogHer is not going to be the place to focus on exercise and well balanced meals. Although, I will say that while I’m at blogging conferences I eat much less because I’m running around so much. So there’s that, lol. But this trip I’m coming in early to interview and review some local restaurants, so that will be a little veer off the healthy eating game plan. But when in NY, you just gotta eat.
Can’t wait to see you.
Hi, Melanie!
I’ve been faithfully following you since I learned of your accident. (I think you are a living example of a miracle!)
Today’s post has *almost* inspired me to exercise! I think I’m almost to the point of giving it a try — to lose weight, have more energy, sleep better at night, extend my life expectancy, etc.
I wrote “almost” because I’d have to join a gym (or buy a treadmill and find room for it somewhere) since walking outdoors here in Louisiana is hard for me with the heat and humidity. Did you catch I don’t like exercise? I don’t like sweating and needing another shower.
So (finally!), here’s my question for you (although I imagine at some point you will have to stop responding individually to each and every comment due to time constraints) . . . You mentioned 11 years ago you worked out six days a week, “three miles per hour.” If I wanted similar exceptional results in just six months’ time, what does “three miles per hour” mean? How many hours did you walk back then? I know you are walking five miles in 1-1/2 hours now. Did you work out that long 11 years ago too?
Jen- I walked three miles a day which took me one hour walking 3 miles per hour. That’s it. Even just an hour a day changed my life. If you think about it, it’s a small investment with huge dividends!
Hi Jen, I just wanted to to let you know on a treadmill there are numbers 1 thru 10 and when you start walking if you put that number on 3, you are walking 3 MPH. Also, you can move it 3.5. Usually if you walk 3.7 or 3.8 MPH you can walk a mile in 15 minutes or very close to it.
Thanks, Jeri! You obviously could tell I’ve never set foot on a treadmill! c:
I really hate to excercise too! I have lost 40 lbs over the last year and a half and have another 60 to go. It is really HOT in the deep south so I am looking forward to Fall so I can ramp up my excercise again. The 40lb loss has made a huge difference in my overall health and my self esteem. I can shop in the “regular” size clothing department now and that is HUGE! Congratulations on your weight loss and maintenance over the years!
That is wonderful! Congratulations. That is a huge accomplishment. Isn’t it wonderful to shop in the misses stores? I’m really happy for you. And I wish you continued success reaching your ultimate goal!
Way to go!!! I think maintaining is even harder than losing it. I have lost 30 lbs in 4 mths. Doing weight watchers, I love it. I also hit the gym 4-5 times a week.
Wow! 30 lbs is great. You must feel like a new person!
Wow Melanie, this post struck a cord with a lot of us. I was in an accident a couple of years ago and was told to rest the injuries. I fell off the exercise wagon hard and gained a bunch of weight. I’m happy to say that in the last 18 months I have lost 15% of my body weight and am starting to get into my skinny jeans again! I appreciate your struggle and your dedication. You are an inspiration for all of us. Keep up the great work!
That’s great Kristi. It takes a lot to motivate yourself after a physical injury. I bet it meant a lot to your loved ones that you started taking care of yourself again.
Goddess, can I still call you that?!? I exercise too (running/walking/light weights) and just recently started keeping track of everything via MyFitnessPal. I love it! I think I’m eating healthier foods now & much less junk as I have to record EVERYTHING. I would however like to add hiking, tennis and other fun exercises to my fitness routine. It would spice things up a bit
You can call me whatever you like.
I’ve heard very, very good things about MyFitnessPal. I’m a fan of anything that makes weight loss easier, lol.
I have lost 70 pounds which is over 30% of my starting body weight in 6 months. I still have a bit more to go but can not believe the difference. My before and afters are posted…mortifying, but I believe it will help someone. AND that before person is not me anymore. What a blessing to have your boys walk with you…so good for you all…mentally and pysically.
That’s amazing. What an inspiration. That is a lot of weight. You must feel like a new person! I bet you had some fun shopping!
…AND I hate to exercise too!
Lol, yup. I hear ya.
Just like everyone else here I have weight issues and always have. I asked for an elliptical for my birthday last year and am using it but still need to be more faithful about it. I bought myself a book holder so that I cannot see the time and read while I am exercising. It helps more than watching something. As the weather cools I will go back outside with my dog and walk. I cannot stand the humidity and have had heat rashes before. I am also thinking about audio books as I will also jog when the weather cools. I need to add in sit ups and push ups as well as weight bearing exercise. My biggest problem is staying on track. But I am determined to be healthier so that I can enjoy my life and children. I really love your new direction for the blog. It is nice to read others who are genuine and honest.
The humidity is an absolute killer even for me in New England. Granted, it’s cooler up here, but dang it’s miserable to walk when it’s damp out. When I walk indoors I do exactly the same thing as you. I cover the clock so I can’t see the time. Otherwise it drags on for eternity! Audio books are a great idea. I think I’m going to look into that too.
Hi Melanie,
I enjoy my workouts and have added walking 3-5 miles a day on top of them. I get up and do my work out early then walk while I wait for my kids to do their activities in the evening or sometimes they come with me if they are just home for the night. My family gave me a Fitbit for my birthday and I love that too. now it’s like a game to try and beat my prior days steps and calories burned. I am a fitness junkie now thanks to Pink and fitbit. I never thought this day would come that I would be losing the weight and feeling great but it did, and I actually DID get some clothes back from the (Someday) side of my closet… 
this post was inspiring. Thanks for your perfect post timing. 
about 7 weeks ago I decided that I was tired of being heavy and made the commitment to myself to slim down 50 LBs. I heard from a friend about a fitness program called the PINK method, I ordered it and I LOVE IT, there is a blueprint for healthy eating ( which makes it easier) and there are videos with workouts that include weight training.. Anyhow long story short, I am 7 weeks into my journey ( including a week in Disney world, which could have been a disaster) But I am currently down 27 Lbs. not bad for 7 weeks.
Fantastic! I LOVE reading about success stories. They are so very motivational to me. I have not heard of fitbit, but of course I will google it as soon as I post this comment. I swear I learn something new from my readers every day. Good luck on your weight loss journey. You are going to be so thrilled when you reach your goal.
I have to say I hate exercising too. With a passion! Until I start, then I realize I am really kind of enjoying it and it’s not that bad. Not only did I need to lose weight, but my bones are so bad I have had several back surgeries and a lot of procedures where they put cement in your vertebra’s. 10 of them so far. Nothing was working, calcium supplements, Forteo shots, vitamin D, Nothing!! So I decided I better do something and I am walking everyday and lifting weights. Light weights. I just want to live longer and be healthier. I don’t want to be walking down the street and at the age of 55 my hip just breaks. And @Mel, WTG! you really surprised me on how quick you got yourself up and moving. Congrats to you for what you did 11 years ago and recently. Same for the rest of you.
Thank you Jeri! Wow, you’ve been through so much yourself. I like your attitude. Very positive and I think that really helps when it comes to coping with pain. I found that on the days that I dwelled on the negative I ached more. When I’m focusing on pushing through I feel so much better. It’s amazing how the mind works. Sending you healing thoughts.
That’s awesome! Good job on your achievements!
I’ve gotten back on the exercise bandwagon recently and have been doing sculpting yoga which I have loved every minute of. If I can’t make it to the class (I work REALLY long days) I like running on the treadmill as fast as I can until I can’t anymore. I know it doesn’t sound much fun but when I do it I can’t think about anything else and it is a great stress reliever for me because it totally clears my mind. And those two things have kept me going with exercising because I enjoy them so much, I think when you find something you really enjoy it doesn’t feel like exercising, it is fun! And like you said, it is some “me” time that I think as a mom I forget to do.
I agree with you. When you find something you enjoy, it makes it so much easier to stick with it. And if running makes my mind stop racing, maybe I should give it a try!
I read somewhere that the only way to maintain weight loss is exercise the equivalent of walking 4 miles a day. And 5 miles in 1.5 hours is pretty fast! My dog requires about 3.5 miles of off leash hiking a day and that takes me about 1.5 hours. It is so time consuming but now I enjoy the outdoor quiet thinking time.
p.s. Do you have a dog? Because walking the dog is a great way to be forced to exercise. Dogs love to walk in a pack (ie more members of the family the better) as it is how they build their bond. My dog likes to walk in front of me as he clearly thinks he is in charge! LOL
Shhhhh, my family reads the blog. They want a puppy and I can’t handle one more thing that poops.
Melanie, Congrats on losing the weight and keeping it off (that’s the hardest part afterwards) You’re beautiful! I too HATE to exercise and I have a hard time finding time too. I was 30 pounds overweight and used the wii fit every day for 30 minutes (sometimes to an hour) This was actually so much fun. The activities are motivational, you can create your own programs if you wish. It’s “cartoonish” and many programs, you’re going through a beautiful town. There’s also a program you can buy that’s all dancing which is right up my alley. You don’t have to leave your house or pay money like a gym. I ended up losing 21 lbs. Worth checking out.
I have a Wii Fit too! It’s currently covered under 6 inches of dust and surrounded by a herd of dust bunnies under the couch. You’ve inspired me to dust it off and save it from the dust bunnies. I do enjoy it when I use it. Good for you for losing 30 pounds! That’s a lot!
I had an odd start to an active life. A grad school roommate asked if I went to the gym and I said yes just to be able to hang out with her and another suitemate. I’ve had a complex relationship with food and the gym over the years. Losing weight was slow, but it came. In more recent years, weights really helped me reshaps my body. I pretty much HATED the time doing weights, but loved the tricaps, the shoulders, the back, the calves, and the baby bicep bumps.
I’ve lost that all in the past year. I can push through some walking…the docs “okayed” it…well, they said it wouldn’t do any real damage but could cause a pain spike. I use the treadmill so I don’t get caught too far out and needing to stop and b/c I am required to get off and do some backwardw walking, marching, backward marching, and side steps. But there’s no way I could lift now and I can’t run (my only race was actually in Plymouth…it was a half-marathon and I was just over 2h).
It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t been there. I never LIKED the process of working out. But I liked the results. And being a “gym-rat” (felt more accuracte than athlete) became so much of my identity. A long-term back problem w/ chronic pain (never below a “5″ when out of bed, often a 7-8 on the pain scale) has taken that away. Which is hard.
You mentioned your PT helping you get back at it post-accident. I’ve been to PT but need to get better pain control before going back. What helped MENTALLY when you were out of commission and built back?
This blog and my family is what motivated me to get back in gear. I’m not famous or anything, but my face and body are plastered all over this blog. I wanted to get back to what I was before the accident. Vanity, really. More importantly, things started getting difficult with my kids. Too many people were caring for them and they weren’t doing well with it. They needed me to heal and get strong to care for them. So, that’s what I did.
That’s a lot of pain you are under. Have you tried any alternative treatments like acupuncture? I’ve heard positive things about it.
Thanks for sharing. it is just me and the boyfriend. he’s been so incredibly supportive though. during a pain surge last night, we were making lists of things we can do WHEN (not “IF”) i heal. i do feel guilty for being unable to do much of anything.
Funny, my GP mentioned accupuncture on the most recent visit. I think he’s rather fed up with my pain specialists too. I started seeing them in Feb and the GP (who manages the pain meds for reasons i don’t fully understand given that i have pain docs) said he thought physiatry might help but that he didn’t want me having to add to the list of docs…too many cooks in the kitchen b/w GP, pain mgmt, pain shrink, and the surgeon who did my operation last summer. Last week, he saw I was a mess and didn’t quite voice frustration but said he knew a good doc in the physiatry team and that I should try him. GP mentioned that accupuncture is one tool that new doc likes. i am TERRIFIED of needles, but at this point they can do as many as they want if it had any chance of helping.
As of January 1, 2011, I was 70 pounds overweight. Two of my friends convinced me to run the 2012 disney 1/2 marathon in Jan 2012 with four couples. I signed up April 2011 never having run a second in my life. I started couch to five k may 1 and cried while running for 30 seconds. Since the, I’ve lost 85 pounds, run two 1/2 marathons, 5 15k races, many other races and am now training for my first marathon in October and second at disney in Jan 2013. I just ran 15 miles yesterday in training. If I can do it, anyone can. And I did it first to be healthy for and a good example for my 4 year old son. But secondly bc I too love to eat.
Holy cow. What a turnaround. That is an incredible testimony. What a gift not only for you, but for your son too! Congrats!
Eleven years is the best part of your post!
Well, it’s tied with walking with your boys!
I didn’t see anyone mention Leslie Sansone’s “Walk At Home”. But it’s a great indoor walking alternative when the weather is miserable – inexpensive too.
;o)
- Lee
I’ll have to check that out Lee. As you know, we have our share of miserable days here in New England! I have a treadmill which I use in the winter. But that’s even more boring than walking outside!
I absolutely despise exercising! I have always said I would only run if something was chasing me. With that being said I need to do something to lose weight and a friend and I discovered Zumba. There are classes all over the place here in Indiana, The YMCA, churches and dance studios. We found a small class at a dance studio and absolutely love it. There are now 5 of us that go consistently. I tell you the first class I was pretty sure I was going to die but I stuck with it and it gets better with every class. I haven’t noticed a lot in weight loss (need to get back to following my Weight Watchers again) but I have more energy and things to ache like they did.
I also hate running and always have. Of course, as a child I ran all the time. However, as an adult it jars ever joint, jaw, and head. That was before fibromyalgia! I tell people, also, that I will only run if someone big, bad, and mean wants to hurt me and is chasing me. One womna here in town had high blood pressure. The doctor told her to exercise. She danced and continued to do so at least every Friday night at a VFW dance.
Dancing comes in second to riding my bike. Some day, I hope to be light enough and still agile enough to take up tennis again. Riding an exercise bike is torture unless I poin a fan toward me and watch television. For years, I have had to walk on grass or gravel since asphalt or concrete caused so much pain, even before injuries.
One of the first posts I wrote on my first blog was on zumba…..
http://melanieinthemiddle.com/2009/02/are-you-ready-to-zumba.html
Damn near killed me .
wow! You inspired me! THANK YOU!!!
You inspire me on a daily basis. Often times I reflect on all you’ve been through and I think if Janet could get through what she did, then so can I.
Hello Melanie,
I just wanted to say that I really like the new site! I was hesitant about the change, as I have been reading your blog for 3-4 ? years now! I have been also thinking about getting back into exercise, and getting healthy. I am now 45, and have a new diagnosis of arthritis in my lower back, and recently plantar facsciitis as well. Geeze, it stinks to start having these ” old lady” issues!! I have done mostly low carb diets off and on for the last 5 years now. I came across a really cool jump start diet on the Dr. Oz show ( i love him) this evening called the 7 day crash diet. Its really a lifestyle change. More dark leafy greens, fruits, less meat. And lots and lots of beans… Eww.
P.S… I was noticing some of the times of your posts.. 1 and 3 a.m… do you ever sleep?!!!
Lol, I usually post between 9:00pm and 10:00pm ET. I think it shows up wonky on the site. I’m a night owl, but not quite that late.
As far as the old lady issues go, maybe exercise will help? I’ve found that I hurt more when I don’t exercise. When I was hit by the car it broke several vertebrae. So while I don’t have arthritis, I understand your pain.
If I go several days without doing my 5 miles a day, oh boy do I feel it. I feel like I’m the tin man. But if I stay on top of my exercise, I’m good. No major pain.
That crash diet doesn’t sound so bad. I love beans and leafy greens. But I have to have my wine.
Well , the diet did say fruits, and wine does come from grapes…………….. LOL work with me here!
Exercise is great for keeping sore joints mobile. Another great thing is Yoga! I have been looking at classes around here. I am going to take some when I finish up with my bi-weekly PT sessions. Swimming is great on stiff joints as well!
I have to say, this post came at the perfect time for me. I have really been trying to watch what I eat – I too love food far too much for my own good! I am 4 months post-partum from my last surrobabe and still haven’t lost much of the weight, so I know that I really need to kick it into gear. But I really hate excercising and it makes it just that much harder to force myself to do it. However, I did just try Zumba (for the Wii) and even though I sucked at it, I had fun. So I’m hoping that will give me the extra motivation I need to really keep with it on a regular basis. Because after having my 2 kids, then 2 surrobabes (and planning on having more!), I certainly need to be excercising to lose the extra weight and stay in shape! I just keep telling myself that not only will it be a good example for my kids, but I will be so much healthier for it. Now I just need to try harder to make time for it.
Ive become a Zumba addict. Love it since I’m a former dancer. Very overweight now and have a lot to lose. Slow but sure ill get there.
Ten years ago, I used to roller blade 6 miles down the canal, and then walk 6 miles back. I had lost 70 lbs! You are right, it does take a lot of time, but It’s so worth it.
I can’t don those roller blades now, but I want to get a consistent walking routine going. My goal is 6 days per week. Sometimes walking the track at the high school is super boring, yet I always feel better when I do.
I’m so grateful that you’ve come such a long way in your recovery.