REASONABLE RESOLUTIONS

'Tis the season of resolutions, hope, and fresh starts. Enrollment is up at those expensive commercial weight loss programs. The gyms are crowded with new members (and people who haven't used their memberships since this time last year). This blog saw a huge surge in hits on New Year's Day. So many folks enthusiastic (or at least determined) to finally lose that weight, get fit, start the new regimen that's going to at long last change their lives, all looking for that final answer that will make the big difference.

I never had a big moment that made me say, after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, This is it. It was, in fact, a very quiet and unremarkable moment, and on the surface not unlike a million other times I'd said the exact same thing to myself. I've puzzled over what made it possible for me to stick --- this time --- with religious fervor to the changes I'd decided, once again, to make. One element was my discovery of the Beck Diet Solution, which provided me with the tools to make lasting changes. I also started to really educate myself about nutrition, gave a lot of thought to what I was and wasn't willing to do on an ongoing basis, and for the first time in my life really committed to working out (and educating myself about that, too). Perhaps most importantly, I made a firm decision to stop valuing the opinions of experts over my own. What I mean by that is, while the experts can tell you the most effective, efficient, safest way to lose weight or work out, and while it's important to pay attention to their advice so you make good decisions, experts don't live in your skin. They don't know what's going to work best for you. You have to figure that out on your own. It may not be exactly what they suggest. I don't care. If I had the wiring to eat nothing but cabbage and raw kale or to spend 60 minutes on the elliptical sucking in my abs and tucking my butt and concentrating only on the workout without the distraction of a book or TV, I'd never do it. Maybe I'd lose weight and get in shape faster if I did, but we'll never know, because that ain't how I roll.

So I was glad to see this very sensible article about how to make an exercise program work for you. It's full of good, do-able advice. One of the keys to success in sticking with a program is to find a way to make it manageable and not overwhelming. And of course, one of the reasons people don't stick with their resolutions is that they bite off more than they can chew and do what they think they should instead of putting serious thought into what is realistically achieveable. You can always ramp up the program later, and furthermore, as you get better at it and establish it as a habit in your life, you'll want to do more. Bonus!

 

In 2010, it was my goal to try ten new fitness activities. I made it up to six --- Pilates, Bikram yoga, serious hiking, Power 90, Bollywood dance, and most recently, aqua fitness classes. I enjoyed all of them and would like them all to be a regular part of my fitness life! My immediate goal is to find regular Pilates and yoga classes, since they'll be the most beneficial to my recovery, along with lifting and cardio. The aqua fitness is also a really awesome workout, and if I join the fancy-schmancy gym, I'll keep that as well. ( Bonus: although I was the youngest person in the class each time I went, those ladies were TOUGH. One day the instructor was half an hour late and they started in like drill sergeants. I'm not sure they even need an instructor).

As for the food, a couple of days into clean eating and already I feel so much better. I've also started my physical therapy. The X-rays came back and showed no degeneration (yaaay!) but the diagnosis is the same. My PT has me doing all sorts of stretches, leg lifts, and strengthening exercises. I have to do them three times a day, and while some of them hurt a little while I'm doing them, it always feels good afterwards. I'm doing a lot of walking, and there's a very good, fancy elliptical machine in the gym at the new apartment where I'm staying. So I'm feeling good so far about my start into the new year.

Comments

[Mike Catog]

Hi Cindy,
When I first started looking to tone up and lose weight about 2 years ago now, the hardest part for me was training myself to change, ie my eating habits and regular exercise. I now love to exercise and train on a regular basis with my mountain bike and a couple of times a week in the gym.
You are so right about the new year being one of broken promises.
Mike

[Georgeanne]

Hi Cindy,

My name is Georgeanne and I am very much where you were at the beginning of your journey--ready to make changes for myself (and for the bettering of my opera career!).

Your blog is so inspiring! It's one of my favorites.