Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Still fat, but fit!

Yayyyy! Body pump after so long!!! This morning, at body pump class, being surrounded by mirrors at my gym studio, I felt like I was looking at a thinner version of myself. My thighs did not look as thunderous although the squats and lunges made them quiver by the end of the class. Right now, that's pretty much my workout schedule: I try to run 2-3 times a week, do 2 body pump classes and one power yoga class on Friday evenings :)
 
While running I have until now, not focussed much on my pace, though I do remain aware of it. I am however from now on going to dedicate one run a week to pacing. My first aim will be to do a sub 40 minute 5k. I will progress thereafter. I do an 8k long run and a 5k shorter one. Some weeks I do manage a 7k too. But sometimes, I get lazy and and hit the cardio section, instead, though my weekly aim is to walk/run 20kms!
 
I got  a mail this morning with my bib number for the Chennai 10k run. My heart is already beating a notch faster. I am nervous because I am going to run in Chennai which is hot and as humid against the cool temperatures of Bangalore. Plus also I tend to get nervous about these things. I am not a natural runner. I used to prefer sitting on the couch with a box of sweets over waking up at 5 a.m to ready the toddlers milk, sometimes even pack the Scientist's lunch by 5.30 and head out for a run or to the gym. Whenever someone sticks a tray of sweets before me, I have a natural tendency to want to grab a handful. I love to eat and used to hate to exercise.
 
The only thing different now is that I STILL love to eat,but also LOVE to exercsie. Exercise is my me time, my meditation time, my calm time when I know I am rewarding my body and mind for co-operating with all the abuse I put it through for so many years - being angry for the way I looked. I know I might be heavier than I possibly was at 22, but I'm way FITTER than have ever been. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this feeling.
 
The reason I say this so much here is that I know my old self, where I used to find numerous reasons valid and empty for not giving my body its due. I used to hate it for being fat and ugly and embarassing. It took me child birth, two fractured feet and a baby to realise that things are far simpler than I percieve them to be. Far less complex that I imagine. Anyone reading this and has missed today's workout because you had some personal stress, work deadlines, a baby to manage, a husband to tend to, in-laws/ parents or body pain or whatever, let me tell you, whatever be the reason, you are not helping yourself. You deserve to exercise. You deserve to experience to joy of an adrenalin high. You deserve to know that your body is capable of crossing that finish line, lifting that 10kg plate, doing that yogasana, doing that extra lap in the pool, climbing that mountain, going on that trek, running behind your son/daughter as she first learns to pedal the cycle. Really, its a lot of fun to be fit! And that's coming from a person who only knew fat!

12 comments:

  1. "You deserve to exercise. You deserve to experience to joy of an adrenalin high." well put Sugar!

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  2. Sugar,does it really happen dearie? really? the high when you exercise and such?! Wish I too felt it...feeling too low today..shehnaz.

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    1. oh totally Shehnaz! it does :) both running as well as my pump class gives me a high!and yoga surrounds me with positivity!
      give yourself to exercise and you will experience it!

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  3. I felt you are directly reaching out to me ... I am so encouraged and feeling that its time to take up my weight loss journey seriously .. Thank you sugar.

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    1. Gowri, I wrote that without anybody in mind! I hope I have not offended you. But did you see, I might be fit, but I'm still fat! So while I am encouraging you to exercise, I dont mean that you will necessarily lose weight doing that. But sure, fitness does wonders to your body and mind!

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  4. Hey Sugar, I meant to say that this blog post is encouraging me to start concentrating on my weight loss and be fit again.. I am not good with words I think.. no way you have offended me but you have kindled the spirit in me to take things seriously..

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    1. :) makes me happy, to hear. I draw inspiration from many such blogs/articles!

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  5. What an inspiring post this is. You know I have been contemplating joining the gym but do not do so because I feel I don't have time. I know that if I join a gym my weight loss will increase and I wud be fitter...so lemme buy some good shoes (my old ones are gone) and I promise to be in the gym within a week.

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Yes. I Know you are thinking something. Please say it! Every word keeps me going!