See what I did there? In that title? Anyone who read my (former) Diet Schmiet blog knows food, fitness, exercise and I have a long and tumultuous history. You wouldn’t know it now but I was fairly athletic when young. I played representative basketball and netball and at one point exercised obsessively for hours a day.
I was anorexic for part of that time so that obviously came with a lot of emotional baggage I’ve partially shed over the years, though some of the horror remains. Suicide sprints (shuttle runs etc) remain a thing of nightmares.
It wasn’t always like that. For much of my life ‘exercise’ was a side effect of playing sport. And then it wasn’t. It became the way I controlled my weight and my fitness. It was no longer something to be enjoyed, but something to be endured. It was always about succeeding. About winning or losing. Individually or as part of a team.
Eventually I ditched some of my exercise demons and over the intervening decades I’ve swung between being an avid gym goer (preferring classes / circuits to individual workouts) to feeling a distinct sense of dread over the idea of a leisurely walk.
The latter has been the case for the last few years. I was able to clock up some incidental exercise when I went back into the workforce but the combination of being unemployed, working a little from home, and living out of town (and at the top of a hill) has meant I’m lucky to make it to 2000 steps a day unless I pace my corridor purposefully.
However… I’ve been increasingly conscious of my expanding waistline and lack of fitness. And then there’s been the recent heart-related issues so I decided I needed to do something. Each week has started with me deciding I’ll drive myself to the nearby beach to go for a walk and yet…. I’ve not done so.
And then fate intervened and someone advertised a local (over 50s) exercise class. I enquired about it then promptly regretted doing so. But I finally bit the bullet last week and went twice.
It’s low impact and low key. I’d double-bra’d it. (Anyone with larger breasts would know keeping them in place is harder with age and increased weight.) Also my old sports bra is too small but I wore it so the suckers wouldn’t move an inch but also wore a bigger more comfortable bra over the top lest the rolls of fat over the too-small bra be visible.
But there were no high impact moves. We can work at our own pace and I would think I’m at least a decade younger than most of the others there. If my fitness improves (as it did during my foray into water aerobics 4-5 years ago) I’ll probably need to work out how to make it a bit harder without looking like a wanker in front of the others but for now it’s perfect.
I’ve committed to going twice weekly and at $5/class this unemployed student can potentially afford them in an ongoing way.
I’d like to think I’ll complement these classes with some walking but at this stage (three classes down)—if nothing else—it’s given me a sense of accomplishment and that I’m finally following through on a commitment. For a change I’m trying NOT to overthink it and just get myself there each week.
Are you a willing exerciser or do you have some exercise demons?
Image: Charles Cheng via Unsplash.
July 13, 2020
I have a love hate relationship with dedicated exercise. I’m shocking at committing. I was walking every day, no I’ve stopped. I was going to the gym, I’m immune compromised so covid stopped that. I signed up for Strictly You for the fitness, I did two weeks. I am nothing if not consistent and being inconsistent!
When I was younger I played sport three times a week and I loved dancing. That’s why I thought the Strictly You program would suit me.
Something needs to give though. I’m very unfit, packing on a girth and none of that is good for a cancer survivor. Need to kick my own butt!
It’s great you’ve found something that’s working for you. I need to do the same.
Thanks so much for your honesty. I don’t feel so bad about my own battles with exercise. Xx
July 14, 2020
I’m about to read Jo’s comment next but I think those who consistently do exercise they enjoy and don’t get all overly keen and obsessive are the most fortunate. I used to walk regularly and had some nice walks nearby whereas it’s more of a logistical challenge at the moment. But there’s no reason I can’t drive somewhere to walk. I’m just not motivated enough.
I used to love dance classes too and was a rabid fan of a hip-hop type Body Jam class a decade or so ago. I’d even travel into my workplace (where my gym was) to go to classes on days off!
July 13, 2020
As you know, I love walking, but haven’t set foot in a class as such since leaving Sydney. The best exercise is the one that you don’t hate & can afford. Oh, and I hear you re the double bra thing – I still have memories of how tightly I had to restrain mine when I went through that much regretted phase of trying to run. The memories still linger sigh.
July 14, 2020
I think your walking is perfect. When I was doing 8000 steps a day consistently I felt good about that and didn’t stress about other exercise but now I sit for so long at my desk I feel so lazy. I have my Fitbit but ignore it at my wrist as it buzzes and suddenly 3-4hrs have passed!
July 14, 2020
I get up every time it buzzes & now do the walk and talk thing whenever I have a call. Otherwise I’m lucky to make 2000 steps (if I don’t go out).
July 13, 2020
Well done on getting out there and exercising. I know it can be so hard sometimes. There’s always something ‘more urgent’ to do. I’ve been struggling with my exercise during isolation so I fell your pain. I also made the decision to not overthink it and to just do it.
July 14, 2020
I’m hoping if I can settle into these couple of classes I’ll feel a bit healthier and more motivated to then just do ‘more’ incidental exercise or the occasional walk!
July 13, 2020
I’m never going to be a lover of exercise and a gym will NEVER see my face (or body) but I’ve found that going for a daily walk is quite pleasant and helps me to be a bit mindful while I tick off some steps on my fitbit (I need the fitbit for accountability or I’d just dwindle down to not bothering). I started going to “Gentle Gym” a year or so ago and I think it’s probably much like your class – I quite “enjoy” it as far as exercise goes, and we even use hand held weights for a bit of it, so I feel like I’ve done a bit of strength training (ha ha) Hope you manage to stay committed – and $5 is a bargain.
July 14, 2020
Yes, I won’t be able to go to yoga any more as my budget won’t permit that kind of cost ($10-15 per class) but this feels doable. And of course walking is free so if I can get past this wretched obsessive avoidance I’ll be happy!
July 13, 2020
Wiling exerciser here. But also learning how to listen to my body and not just power through pain or injury.
SSG xxx
July 14, 2020
Ah yes, my obsessive / perfectionist tendencies mean I feel like I need to push myself hard. I’ve had some breathlessness (when not exercising) and I’m not sure if it’s my new heart medication etc, but I struggled to walk 20-30m at one point on Saturday. And in yesterday’s class I was more breathless than I’d been the week before.
Wednesday’s class was the hardest last week and I pushed myself with step-ups and squats etc and it occurred to me I’d need to be careful NOT to push too hard if I was still struggling to breath at this Wednesday’s class. Before it didn’t really matter if I pushed too hard but now I’m conscious of the heart stuff I worry a bit more.
July 13, 2020
I was doing really well with my rehab approved level of exercise until last week hit me with a 1-2 whammy of issues. Then I “failed” on all counts of everything! This week my goal is to start back up again.
July 14, 2020
Good luck. Having an injury is hard as of course you don’t want to exacerbate it and need to be careful… so be gentle with yourself.
July 13, 2020
It’s probably not a surprise to you that I am a dedicated gym goer. I think for me, what started it was my mum having to have an emergency bypass surgery at the age of 52 despite being someone who exercised and was healthy. It’s got to do with some physiological stuff and also, south Asians are more prone to heart disease. So basically, I had to decide that if I didn’t want a heart attack at 40, I had to get serious. Over time though, I’ve realised I exercise more for my mental health. I dropped the ball when I was depressed and I saw just how badly it impacted me. While it doesn’t ‘cure’ depression or anxiety, it definitely keeps me from falling into the deep dark hole. I do think though, people need to do exercise that works for them. For me it’s strength training and a bit of yoga and occasionally running. But I’m definitely more motivated when it comes to lifting weights.
Good on you for starting small. Hopefully it continues and you enjoy it too!
July 14, 2020
When I was fitter – even just a decade ago – I used to go to classes every weekday at lunch and really enjoyed the dance-based classes and Pump and didn’t hate the circuit classes. They became a habit and easily fit into my day. I think my lack of fitness at the moment makes things feel less comfortable so I struggle to motivate myself to make the effort. I’m hoping if I get a bit fitter I might want to do more.
July 13, 2020
I always enjoy your honesty Deb and wish you well with your new classes. I am usually pretty good with walking and was running for a while but somehow I’ve hurt my knee so walking for any long distance is a struggle at times now. But cycling doesn’t hurt and I have a new ebike so I can go for longer rides with my husband without too much trouble. I love it! I have enjoyed the odd class at the gym but it’s never really appealed to me for some reason. Just do what you can! #lifethisweek
July 14, 2020
Weirdly, I’ve always much preferred gym classes to exercising on the gym floor: doing weights or using the bike or treadmill. I sometimes used to use the bike, treadmill and rowing machine if I’d missed a class and wanted to focus on my cardio but the time usually dragged.
July 13, 2020
I’m a dedicated exerciser however not willing! I’ve learnt two important things over 25 years of dedicated exercise (gym, walking and swimming – it’s not about weight management because my weight has fluctuated over those years, it’s about fitness for me) –
1. I don’t expect to enjoy exercise. I treat it as a chore I just have to get done (like brushing your teeth or paying bills – no one has fun doing those things, but they have to happen).
2. There are times when I don’t feel like it. Sometimes those times have lasted for months. But I show up. I put in 50% effort rather than 100. I figure it’s 50% more exercise than I’d have done if I’d stayed on the couch. And more importantly, it maintains the habit (because it’s REALLY hard to get started again after a long break).
Over the past few years I have enjoyed walks while listening to podcasts or audiobooks – I clock a lot more steps when I’m ‘engrossed’ in a book.
So, I won’t say ‘enjoy your new classes’, instead I’ll say ‘keep showing up’ 🙂
July 14, 2020
I like the idea that 50% effort is better than none and that’s so true Kate. There’s actually a quote I saw from Liz Gilbert (on FB) that leapt out at me during the night when I couldn’t sleep that I want to mull over and write about.
I’d like to get to a point where I don’t mind the exercise I’m doing but not sure how long that will take… if ever. Having said that, once I’m out walking I usually enjoy it – unless it involves hills or steps!
July 14, 2020
I have no will to exercise and I know it’s so important as you get older. I’ve just ditched my yoga class after 21/2 years due to the price going up and thought I could just do this at home. Well, I did it once. I like the idea of the seniors low impact class, that would really suit me. I have thought of going for walks but it’s too cold. (I’m good at excuses.)
July 15, 2020
Really interesting reading Deb and I do recall from your old blog (I am pretty sure that is where I first found you!) that you were a competitive sports person. Me? From a family of people who were fit and played sport year round (my parents did doubles tennis till their 70s I think) I was the one who preferred to read a book. I played some school sport and taught games to young kids. I had the yo yo weight thing x 3 in 1980s and 90s and even did aerobics to Jane Fonda in lycra. Pfftt…Now, it’s walking and no longer with a goal other than to complete the apple watch goal I set. Usually 5-6K steps a day. Some days up to 7K and I am over tired then. Must pace myself….
Thank you so much for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is “whatever you choose” because I am focussing on Head and Neck Cancer: 29/51 Your Choice. Mine is: World Head & Neck Cancer Day. 20.7.2020. Hope to see you there. Take care, Denyse.