I started my fitness journey a little bit later in life.
I had asthma when I was a young girl and it definitely brought about some serious health scares. Fortunately, or so I thought at the time, the significance of that condition provided for an excuse to perform in many of the physical activities children get to do. When I got older, the asthma attacks lessened and ultimately participation in my PE classes was allowed not that I was overly interested in being that active.
It wasn’t until my late twenties that the fitness bug really hit me. I saw the changes in my body as a result of working out and paying attention to what I was consuming. I was actually running, getting stronger, and even received a bit more attention that I associated with a leaner physique.
I met some friends who shared the same interests in terms of physical activity that I did and as a result I began running, participating in spin class, hiking and doing a multitude of other things. Without realizing it, I became something of an athlete which at the time was one of the biggest compliments I felt I could receive. It meant a lot knowing where I began as that little girl.
My mom and dad never really promoted or reinforced a physically active, healthy lifestyle. We never played in sports and financially it was mostly about getting food as cheap as possible. (We all know that cheap doesn’t mean good for you.) J
When I began pursuing physical activities in my late twenties, I also started paying attention to the food I was eating. My mind was being exposed to things about health and fitness that I didn’t know before.
Eventually, after moving from the small town to the big city, my passion for fitness become even more intense and that was when I pursued my personal training certification through the local community college. It was then that I gained just enough knowledge to be dangerous.
With the information I learned I was going to teach my family by example how to reach their fitness goals, even just the one of losing weight. So when they talked about anything relating to their body, I was the know-it-all who had to tell them much more than they ever wanted to hear.
And in that process, I heard many things that I simply dismissed as excuses. And in hearing it, I knew without any doubt it wouldn’t ever happen to me. They would say that it’s hell getting old, the aches and pains increase the older you get, I just can’t move like that, wait until you reach our age, I’m just too busy, and so on. I would listen and think to myself that it won’t happen to me.
I turn the clock to today and I’m noticing a few things. I don’t bounce back as quickly as I did when I was younger after a night out on the town and I am even lucky if a can stay up late for that kind of activity. I don’t sleep as well these days as I did a few years ago, I am a little stiffer than I used to be…oh, and yes I tend to leak when I sneeze.
It’s not uncommon for me to think back on all the things mom and dad said and not be in awe of how their comments have become reality. I find myself paying more attention to their words more closely these days as well thinking about what my body will be like in another twenty years when I am their age now.
All I can say is mom and dad you were right. The only difference being, with my experience in physical fitness and the education gained in pursuit of my health and wellness degree, I also have the tools and knowledge to help limit the severity of the issues my body will experience as I age. And I have Pilates, which is a great benefit.
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