Carrying around 158 pounds on a 5' 3" frame made me feel exhausted. I was tired- all.the.time. I got so tired of never feeling like I had enough energy to do anything, well...except eat (surprise, surprise!). I was tired of looking overweight, but I was definitely tired of feeling overweight. Not only was I physically fatigued, but I was on an emotional roller coaster ride every day. I chalked up my frenzied emotions to work, hormones, having a dramatic personality, whatever...but at the end of every day, I felt overwhelmingly worn out.
I knew that if I made healthy choices, I would have more energy. We all KNOW these things...eat less, move more, lose weight; but if the choice was between extra energy or cheesecake, well...we know who won that battle.
When I joined Weight Watchers, I definitely went in with the hope that I could lose the weight by changing my diet only, without having to exercise. I even lost the first 10% of my weight without exercising. The night I hit my 10%, I rewarded myself by purchasing the Weight Watchers "Punch" DVD. I did that DVD a few times a week until my cousin invited me to Jazzercise with her. My first Jazzercise class was difficult. I kept feeling lost, like I couldn't keep up with the moves, I was beet-red, super sweaty and I was probably the youngest person in that class. I was 24 years old and I couldn't even keep up with the elderly Jazzercisers! That was not who I wanted to be. Long story short: Ryan and I joined the gym and have been members of Universal Athletic Club for almost one year. I often go to group fitness classes and have found them to be the type of exercise I enjoy the most.
I still feel tired, almost every day, actually. But it's not the same exhaustion that I used to feel. Teaching music to kids in grades 6-12 is an incredibly rewarding, but demanding job. So, some days I still do go home and lay on the couch. I find that if I plan to stay at school a little later and then go straight to the gym, there's a better chance that I'll make it. Once I'm home and I hit that couch, GAME OVER. I'm done for the day. So I try to make exercise a part of my schedule. The fact that the classes I like are only offered at certain days and times puts a little more pressure on me to make it there. I need the structure.
As I have made the transition from a sedentary to an active lifestyle, I definitely feel the difference. I feel better when I get to the gym than when I go home and crash on the couch for the night. I realized that both can be just as important, sometimes you need a nap! I have to be flexible with my exercise schedule because life happens and changes from week to week; but, overall, I feel happier and more energized when I have a regular exercise routine. What's your exercise strategy?
I find that I have to have a plan, too. Right now, my main forms of exercise are walking and yoga. Lining up walking dates, having a yoga class to go to, and just TELLING someone I'm going to practice yoga at home have helped me actually complete workouts. I find if I don't have those things, I'm much more likely to throw my plans out the window- even though I know I'll feel better afterward!
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