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I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
In an effort to experience freedom to its fullest, I’m going to bare my soul and expose the weakest area in my life–my weight and lack of regular exercise. I’m disciplined in many ways, except when it comes to getting up and moving.
When I married Hubby over twenty years ago, I weighed in at a hot little 125 lbs. I can’t even blame my weight gain on having two C-sections because I lost the weight after having both boys.
My struggle with my weight began about the same time I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which lead to a total hysterectomy at the age of 35. A few years later, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which lead to the removal of 1/2 of my thyroid. Basically my thyroid attacks my immune system and my endocrine system is out of whack (does anyone ever say things are in whack?). Talk about a double whammy.
It’s so easy to use those two past illnesses as excuses, but those excuses have caused the number on the scale to increase and for guilt to creep in.
A few months ago, I had my annual check-up to monitor my thyroid, and my doctor expressed concern about my rising cholesterol numbers, especially with heart disease running in my family. Having my hormone and thyroid levels messed up caused the number to climb at an alarming rate.
When I shared my diet with her, she said I was eating the right things–fat free milk, whole grain bread, Cheerios, Grape Nuts or oatmeal for breakfast, fruits and veggies, chicken, red meat 1-2 times a week–so I didn’t really have to make dietary changes except to monitor snacking.
But then she told me something that broke the chains of internal guilt that shackled me for years. She said, “I don’t care about the number on the scale as long as you’re working out five days a week for 30 minutes a day.”
What? She didn’t care about my weight? How can that be? Aren’t we defined by that number on the scale?
No.
What was that?
NO!
Our self-worth is NOT defined by the number on that scale. It’s just a number. In fact, muscle weighs more than fat, so a toned person could weigh more than a flabby person.
But movement is essential.
Eating a well-balanced diet with treats in moderation and exercising at least five days a week will cause weight loss at a natural pace. And it will stay off when done properly.
My biggest problem with exercise is my lack of energy once my day job ends. I lack the drive to get on my treadmill and walk for 30 minutes. Sweating…ugh.
But I also hated seeing my mom in recovery after her double by-pass surgery in August 2011, especially when we almost lost her that same weekend. I don’t want my boys to experience the same thing in 20 years.
Instead of making excuses, I’m forcing myself to be accountable to my readers (all five of you!) by using Fridays as Fitness Fridays. I’m asking you to hold me accountable if I don’t log at least five days of workouts on Fridays for the past week. Striving for a healthy heart is such an important goal, and I’m worth it.
What is your biggest fitness struggle? What is your fitness routine? What are your fitness goals for 2013? How do you stay accountable?
Girl, we have the same struggle. I’ve stayed consistent once and when I did, it all fell off and I felt better than ever…and then I relapsed into laziness. My problem is I have no accountability. 🙁
I have a sweet treadmill and a great Zumba program (but I have some back issues that make that hard to do at times)
But I’m determined to be healthier too. Looking forward to Fridays!
It’s funny how we can be so disciplined in some areas but not others. Fitness isn’t a problem for me. I’ve been doing Pilates for 10 years now 2 x a week and and aerobic exercise at least twice, usually swimming laps for an hour. In the summer I ride my bike most places in our small town–except WalMart, and I do 20 minutes of stretching exercises as soon as I get out of bed (some are actually done in bed. lol)
No, my lack of discipline comes in the form of emails and FB and research on the Net. 😉
Oh friend, you definitely aren’t alone!! I have about 20 pounds to lose, but I feel the same way…if I know I’m eating right and exercising, then I’m not as concerned about the weight. But the problem is finding that time to work out. I actually like it okay once I’m there at the gym, but getting there can be an issue. My goal is 4x a week, but in the last few months, I’ve maybe worked out twice. Eek!
I started Weight Watchers last week and only lost a half pound this week, even though I followed it. I’m convinced that I need to add in the exercise to be truly healthy. But I struggle like you with going after work. And going before work means getting up sooooo early. How to fit it all in? I don’t know, but I’ll be praying we can both figure it out!!
Reading this a few days late, Lisa, but I’ll be cheering you on in your health journey…as you’ve cheered me on in mine. 🙂
At the beginning of this year, I knew I had to do something different. I have a gym-quality elliptical which I LOVE (basically because I can read on it) but after a couple years of using it, I can tell my body needs something different. So I forked over the money for a new workout dvd set (Body Revolution, Jillian Michaels)…I’ve completed one week of the program and already my body feels different. It’s a six-day-a-week workout, but the workouts are only 30 minutes long…so my schedule can handle that. Like you, it’s hard to make myself actually DO the workout after long days at work AND when I know I’ve got lots of writing to do in the evening, but simply switching it up and doing something new has kept me motivated…well, at least for a week so far. We’ll see how this week goes… 🙂
Lisa, I don’t always get over here, but I’ll pray for you. I, too, have hit that time in life when exercise is becoming more crucial to a healthy life style. I’ve NEVER been good at liking exercise, and I haven’t really had to worry much about it, until last year. So, this year, I’m committing to walk 3 times per week for 30 minutes. Here’s to hoping we can all stay the course and establish and maintain this good habit.