getting back in shape – Sweat & Sparkle

A lot of people seem to be struggling right now. Chalk it up to the virus. Chalk it up to the holidays. I just know a lot of people are saying they are not motivated right now, feeling “off”, just not into this whole fitness and weight loss thing right now.

I am one of them. I have forced myself to work out the last few days, but I really didn’t want to. I know I will have a substantial gain at weigh-in this Saturday, and while I don’t like it, I also don’t feel super driven to do anything about it.

Then a funny thing happened. A friend of mine gave me a pep talk and told me that I inspire her. Who, me? I was flattered but surprised.

Then, out of the blue, someone on LoseIt sent me a message saying she hoped I would be back soon, because I motivate her when I post my workouts. Again, I was surprised that anyone had noticed I was not posting as many workouts lately. I matter to a total stranger online?

It was a kick in my rear. Sure, this is about me, but it’s not only about me. Same as I root for my friends, both online and in real life, there are people out there cheering for me, and why would I want to let them down?

My husband encourages me and tells me how great I look, no matter what I weigh. He has been so supportive, putting up with the alarm in the pitch black for early morning runs (well, not lately), nudging me when I don’t want to work out, letting me know that he loves me either way. How can I let him down?

And then there’s my beloved and inspiring cat…just kidding. I just wanted to see if you are still paying attention.

Obviously losing weight and getting in shape is about me. It’s about my health. It’s about my well-being, my happiness, my success. But opening my eyes and seeing everyone else who I affect by my choices certainly puts this into a different light.

And then there’s you. Yes, you. If you are reading this, you are taking time to catch up on my journey and take a few steps along the way with me. I don’t want to waste your time with a “whatever” attitude and just stop working out because I feel lazy.

I want to succeed for me, for my husband, for my family, for everyone who has supported me and cheered me on and taken the time to comment here. It would be selfish to tuck into a ball and stuff my face and gain weight like crazy, after the time others have taken to encourage me to take steps to better myself.

I admit that a large part of coming here to write this today is to publicly commit to getting back on track. But it is also to say thank you. I hope that I return the favor in at least some small way for everyone who encourages me and makes me want to be a better me.

running-funny Last night, I got reacquainted with a long-lost, old friend: my favorite treadmill at the gym. (Yes, I’m one of those people who picks out “my” treadmill and is more than a little tiffed if someone else has the audacity to use it).

It’s been a while. More than I want to admit. Once upon a time, I was actually a runner, and in what feels like a different lifetime, I even completed half-marathon distance…twice.

But last night, it was obvious that was quite some time ago. And quite a few pounds ago. Every step felt like I was trying to move the massive body weight of a pregnant hippo. Ugh, getting back into shape is just ridiculously unpleasant business! No wonder I keep quitting and having to start over all over again.

I managed a little over 3 miles last night, but I won’t get into just how long it took me to cover those miles. I’m pretty sure the average runner could have run to the moon and back in the time it took me to finish 3 miles! But I did it, and that’s what matters to me.

Next time I will do just a little more, and the next time, just a little bit more than that. I will get back to being a runner, back to being in shape, back to feeling fit, back to looking good. One agonizing, torturous, laborious step at a time!