I’ll say this once for you and louder again for the people in the back: healthy living is NOT a quick fix. Actually, ‘quick’ is probably not healthy. Weight isn’t the pinnacle of health either. Healthy living is simply about finding a routine that you can stick to for, well…life. Fad dieting to get ‘hot’ has kept me obese for years. But 3-months ago, I took the stairs to a seminar and what should’ve been an everyday task felt like I was fighting for my life, which sobered me up. My chest was hurting, I couldn’t breathe and was sweating profusely – all from two flights of stairs. So how did I go from that to writing to you, now 22lbs (10kg) lighter? Are you in pursuit of more than just looking good? Then, read on for Why You Should Be Fit, and Not a “Fittie”!
Not-so-Speedy Gonzalez!
I saw a lot of people at my university running on campus.Headphones in. Fitbits on. Focused. My initial thought was “Damn. They’re killing it!” But my first 5K almost killed me. It took 49 minutes and I reeked of insecurity and B.O. But I didn’t want to give up, so I signed myself up for 5K and 10K races near and in my hometown to keep me motivated. Now I run 5k in 30 minutes.
Dealing with pain and trying new things
Shin splints were an issue when I started, but I found different ways to handle that online – incorporating different sports and strength training has made the 5K virtually pain-free and something I can do 6-times a week. How did triathlon come from this? I started doing 3 weekly swim sessions and badminton with friends. One friend saw me swimming and suggested triathlon – “You run and swim.” she said. “If you can ride a bike, you’re already there.” So, I Googled all things triathlon and was mortified. I felt like she was beckoning me to my death. But I imagined everyone reacting the same way if I actually did it, and my interest grew.
Food glorious food
My diet vastly changed. I remember feeling fatigued in those first few weeks and searching for answers online. Long story short, the only option is sleeping well and fueling my body properly. If you have a fitness goal, you start to do all you can to achieve it, including making better food choices. But healthy doesn’t mean grass. There’s healthy to try and long-time faves you can keep (in moderation).
