Become Fit Fort CollinsThe Continuous Commitment to become fit
Ok - this is it - I'm going to open up the fitness/wellness chapter of my life for all to read. If you know me, you know I'm intensely private about most things. I've decided to blog about this because maybe, just maybe, it will inspire others to do whatever it takes to prioritize their health.
The backstory: I wasn't born fit.
Yes, my parents exposed me to lots of sports and I tried most of what they tossed my way. Early on - (age 7) figure skating - til age 13. High school - gymnastics, a little running....I was average at best. High school were my lost years - I'll leave that to your interpretation.
Once in college at UW-Madison, I rediscovered exercise and relieved it was no longer competitive. I started running again. Started very slow and short. My running mentor was a super chill guy 40 years my senior. He taught me the secret of staying relaxed and finding my stride, my breath. We went on these runs that were so meditative along the shores of Lake Mendota, out to Picnic Point, through the woods. I fell in love.
About that time, a woman I worked with in the Nutrition Lab (by this time I'm in grad school) introduced me to road biking. My very first bike was a pink Fuji. She would take me on these lovely rides around Verona, WI.
And, this was the time in my life that I first started teaching fitness classes at a small exercise studio in Madison called the Exercise Studio. It was the 80s and high-impact, step aerobics was all the rage. I'd post a photo of my in a thong if I could find one. Working with all types of people, sharing my enthusiasm, watching them become fit....again, I fell in love.
So, I'm in my early 20s, going to Grad School and finding my confidence through exercise. That's right. That's where I felt the most grounded. It was a certain thing in my life. Something I could count on. I always felt better about myself after some sort of sweat fest. That doesn't mean I always felt good during it. That's not the point. I realized that this was time spent just for me, on me, an investment. It became my solace.
Bad day in the lab? Go for a ride...the day just got better. Broke up with my boyfriend? Long run....by the end I had it all figured out.
So you see...I didn't start exercising to lose weight, get toned, look better than the next person. I started exercising because I felt better physically and emotionally as a result of doing it.
This is why it has stuck - I'm now almost 44 years old....yes old. I'm a lot slower than I used to be and it takes me longer to recover from some of the crazy stuff I still attempt to do...but, I still do it and I still feel better.
Today? I got up early - very early - got on my bike - went for a 20 miler, watched the sun rise, smelled the rich, thick scents that come with early summer. I feel better.
And you?
Stay-tuned......
Keep on keeping on....become fit.
The backstory: I wasn't born fit.
Yes, my parents exposed me to lots of sports and I tried most of what they tossed my way. Early on - (age 7) figure skating - til age 13. High school - gymnastics, a little running....I was average at best. High school were my lost years - I'll leave that to your interpretation.
Once in college at UW-Madison, I rediscovered exercise and relieved it was no longer competitive. I started running again. Started very slow and short. My running mentor was a super chill guy 40 years my senior. He taught me the secret of staying relaxed and finding my stride, my breath. We went on these runs that were so meditative along the shores of Lake Mendota, out to Picnic Point, through the woods. I fell in love.
About that time, a woman I worked with in the Nutrition Lab (by this time I'm in grad school) introduced me to road biking. My very first bike was a pink Fuji. She would take me on these lovely rides around Verona, WI.
And, this was the time in my life that I first started teaching fitness classes at a small exercise studio in Madison called the Exercise Studio. It was the 80s and high-impact, step aerobics was all the rage. I'd post a photo of my in a thong if I could find one. Working with all types of people, sharing my enthusiasm, watching them become fit....again, I fell in love.
So, I'm in my early 20s, going to Grad School and finding my confidence through exercise. That's right. That's where I felt the most grounded. It was a certain thing in my life. Something I could count on. I always felt better about myself after some sort of sweat fest. That doesn't mean I always felt good during it. That's not the point. I realized that this was time spent just for me, on me, an investment. It became my solace.
Bad day in the lab? Go for a ride...the day just got better. Broke up with my boyfriend? Long run....by the end I had it all figured out.
So you see...I didn't start exercising to lose weight, get toned, look better than the next person. I started exercising because I felt better physically and emotionally as a result of doing it.
This is why it has stuck - I'm now almost 44 years old....yes old. I'm a lot slower than I used to be and it takes me longer to recover from some of the crazy stuff I still attempt to do...but, I still do it and I still feel better.
Today? I got up early - very early - got on my bike - went for a 20 miler, watched the sun rise, smelled the rich, thick scents that come with early summer. I feel better.
And you?
Stay-tuned......
Keep on keeping on....become fit.
Posted by Become Fit at 6/7/2010 9:46 AM 
Categories: Leah's Journal of her commitment to health and wellness
Categories: Leah's Journal of her commitment to health and wellness
It is good you are doing this because, well, I just assume people I see who are fit simply have ALWAYS had their act together in THAT aspect of life, and well, that is that
...so to be honest, I really do not consider such people as resources because I simply think, well, they don't have internally struggles about THAT aspect of life at all, so a person can't really share about struggles because there would be no sensed commonality.
So any sharing of ups and downs, I think, allows at least more accessibility for you, and as you say, it may help others to realize some commonalities and be more open to pursuing fitness lifestyle.
In my own case, I sort of have the fitness aspect covered in a way as I run about 5 miles per day. But I cannot "stay away from Ak Mak crackers" and certain carbohydrates that would cause me to lose more weight if I did not "do them".
But I think it is a good strategy for you to do a blog.
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Great insight, Leah. Thanks.
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Thanks for sharing, Leah! I believe it's really important to consider what it is that draws us into the fitness world. Like you said, it's not always about losing weight, looking tone, etc. There is so much more to it! For me, there's nothing else that can compare to the peace of mind I achieve while running. It's my "me" time which, trust me, does NOT come often enough
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For me, fitness is about that awareness between my mind and my muscle. Every day I realize that the more attention I pay to what my body and mind are telling me, the healthier and happier I am. Like you, Leah, I've had to learn to adapt as I had some injuries, slowed down, developed other hobbies and interests, and struggled to make time for work/play/family/friends. I do like the way I look when I work out consistently and eat well, but like the way I feel even better! And I especially like my mental approach to life when I'm in good shape.
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After spending half my life pursuing exercise in pursuit of a better body I finally discovered the joy of fitness for how it makes me feel not how it makes me look. I wish I would have come to this realization so much earlier. Kudos to you for the way you came to exercise!
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