Viewer Mail*

MizFit,
I’m 54, overweight and out of shape. Once thin and buff, serious back problems and peri-menopause has given me a”blob” like shape.

My cholesterol spiked and I’m now taking medication. My blood sugar is high normal – our family is genetically predispositioned to diabetes – both types.

After raising three sons, we adopted a baby from Guatemala. Do the math – I’ll be parenting well into my senior years.

Sure, I keep up with her and work a few hours a day. My friends are impressed.

I am not because my body is aging; I feel it happening.

I whined to a you already and you told me to get on our treadmill for five minutes a day to start.

I bucked – I detest walking and getting no where.

I begged my hubby to let me walk our three dogs in the evening while he watched our daughter.

He agreed & I know he wants my thin buff body back although he never says a thing – he values his life.

Now, each night in the cold I take a brisk twenty minute walk. My dogs are in heaven. When I return home with cold rosy cheeks I feel fabulous and have even slowed down on the “night snacking.”

I’m at the place where anything you suggest I will try to do. I’m desperate and I trust you.

You’re reasonable but don’t accept excuses.

This is not just about me, but about keeping in shape for my daughter. I don’t want to be using a walker at her high school graduation and in a wheel chair at her college graduation. She deserves more – I deserve more.

Overweight & Out Of Shape

First? I have to say that while this letter is, indeed, from a ringer (is that the word I want? plant?) it’s also from a woman Ive never been fortunate enough to meet in person but with whom Ive been working/coaching/encouraging for a while.

One important piece of her email JUMPED right out at me and has two parts: she initially asked my advice, flatly refused (and proffered MYRIAD creative excuses) but then (without even telling me) she JUST DID IT.

She realized that (and this is key!) her daughter deserved more and she deserved more.

She decided that she was *worth it* (that’s all Im gonna say for now as we shall revisit that sentiment again & again & again.)

That’s the first part.

The second? She didnt take my advice about doing the treadmill because she KNEW it wasnt something she’d enjoy (and yes, I realize we’re using the term “enjoy” loosely).

Instead she created her own routine–complete with the canines she adores–and has, as a result, started walking down her path to success.

Take a minute. Think about what you used to enjoy doing when exercise wasnt something you HAD to do but an activity you did for FUN!

Jumprope? Dancing? Forward rolls? Pogo Stick-ing? Hip-hop dance?

I dare say that many of our initial responses might be (accompanying *eyeroll*) nothing—but I also venture to say that it’s because we’ve all bought into the notion of attaching a MUST or a SHOULD when thinking about doing anything physical.

We’ve lost the ability (unlike my Toddler Tornado) to do things with our bodies without an ulterior (read: weight loss) motive.

Take a moment.

Make a list.

What was the last thing you experienced physically where, when you finished, you thought: DANG, I FEEL ALIVE!

I’ll start you off with mine (get yer minds out of the gutter): going headfirst (at aforementioned Tornado’s insistence) down a slide.

Now that might not end up as my workout routine–but it was a good clue to me that I need to get my butt off the stationary bike and on the monkey bars a little more often.

It reminded me how much I used to love to HULA HOOP and, while doing so as a kid, never once had a mental ticker going with regards to how many thin mints Id hoop’d off!

You??

I know it sounds silly but whatever it is MAKE the time for it. (all together now) You’re worth it.

*Ive always wanted to say that and it’s *finally* applicable since I sucked it up & hauled out the video camera.