I should know by now to “never say never” since as soon as I do, I go and do just that thing! A few months ago I decided to change my exercise focus from running to Pilates. I bought a wonderful at home Pilate’s machine, made a semi-zen space for it in my house, and began using it almost daily, loving how I felt. I decided that I was done running and I needed something different.
Shortly after, I got an invitation from a coworker saying he was putting together a team for the Sinai Hospital Race for Our Kids 5K run and would anyone like to sign up. Hmmmm. I had a couple of months to get ready so why not? What’s one more run, even though I had JUST said I was done running!
Well, shortly after that, wouldn’t you know it, LIFE happened. My wife had a total knee replacement in early September and BAM- priorities got shifted around. I haven’t been on my Pilates machine in over a month and I definitely haven’t had time to go out running. Ok, maybe I’ve had time, but I didn’t use that time to run. I used it to do laundry, or make dinner, or figure out what groceries we needed. I will be honest and say that this change in our routine has thrown me for a loop, and some days I haven’t always managed it gracefully!
What’s great though is that thankfully, the healthy habits I have learned over the past 3+ years since weight loss surgery have stuck with me, and have become second nature. While my weight has fluctuated a bit during this stressful time, it hasn’t been by more than two or three pounds. I am definitely still moving a lot, whether it be up and down the stairs that Kristi can’t maneuver, or back and forth from room to room during normal activities that usually two of us share. I am moving! I find myself CRAVING exercise, and even if I can’t fit it in, knowing that the desire is there assures me that as soon as things get a little more normal, I’ll be back at it.
I “wogged” the 5k on Sunday. As you may remember from previous posts, “wogged” means that I “walked-jogged.” I rocked my fancy new running sneakers, had fun, and felt exhilarated for the rest of the day. Today I am sore, and reminded that training is the key to a successful run. But then again, even though my time was slower than my last few 5k races, it was still successful. I was out there, I was moving, I got my heart rate up and I was reminded how good I feel when I exercise.
Success looks different at different times given different circumstances and I will definitely count the race and really, the past month, as successes. Knowing I can adjust to whatever life throws at me and still keep my health and wellness in mind is a big deal and I will never forget that. Oh boy, there goes that word again!
Click here to learn more about weight loss surgery and to follow Bettina's journey.
-Written by Bettina M. Straight, Employee Engagement and Communications Consultant, Human Resources, LifeBridge Health
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