As the holidays come to an end, I know what you’re thinking because I’m thinking it too. I’ve got to get serious here and drop some found pounds. Okay, so it didn’t just happen in the last 2 weeks. It was a not-so-subtle creep that started last summer. But I finally faced it when I saw my photo from New Year’s Eve.
As a top down loser, I can no longer deny that the discomfort I feel when I sit at my desk is merely a result of bad posture. It’s back fat. Something I’ve never, ever had before. But I found it easy enough to ignore, until I saw that my once sculpted arms no longer looked like powerful guns, they look more like cannons on a bulwark. Ugh! Reality bites.
So I woke this morning with a new found resolution. But it’s not a typical weight-loss ’New Year’s Resolution’ – something I reject after many years of watching ‘resolutionists’ pack classes the first weeks of January only to disappear come February. It’s a face reality resolution.
Most people know deep down inside where they go wrong in getting the fitness/nutrition equation to balance out. My problem is that I’ve always maintained my weight by working out really, really hard. Any holiday weight gained would melt away in no time when I found myself teaching about 7 classes per week come January. But things have changed in the last year or so. I no longer have a full teaching schedule – it’s whittled down to 2 classes a week.
Last summer, I discovered that what I have always said is true - I have to have an audience to work out. With low participation at the gym where I teach, group fitness classes were cancelled for the months of July and August. Yep, my long time joke (one shared with my old friend Leigh Crews) became a self fulfilling prophecy. After teaching an average of 5 classes per week for over 20 years, I became what I’ve always known deep down inside that I really am – a born & bred Irish porch-sitting couch potato.
So, there you have it. I’ve taken step 1. I have faced reality. No sugar coating it – I’ve got to make some serious changes. So I know how you might be feeling and I hope you’ll join me - even if it’s just through the end of January.
I don’t share your cynicism about resolutions (although I certainly do understand it.) I’ve found resolutions incredibly helpful as long as they are specific, doable goals. I have made a lot of progress with “baby step” resolutions over the years! But I am totally with you on needing to face reality. My few extra pounds are mostly due to medicating myself with carbs and chewing off my stress. At 47 years I’m sure perimenopause is factoring in there too… I’ll definitely be joining you. Tomorrow. (that’s not a joke; seriously, I always make my best fresh starts on Mondays! It’s all mental.) Today, I gather determination; tomorrow, I execute. And hey, I’ll come watch you work out anytime if that’s what you need. haha.
Ahhh, you hit the nail on the head. Resolutions tend to be too generalized – like, I’m going to lose weight in the new year. Goals DO need to be specific. Glad you are joining me! Seriously…it’s a fresh start… come Monday.
So what’s the plan after step 1? Are you going to teach more, work out alone more, use the gym more?
Having done mostly home workouts for the last couple of years, I am beginning to let the solitude get me down. My personal schedule is way too complicated to commit to a regular class, but I need to find something.
I, too, am getting back fat. I have been “fat” before, but never on my back. One thing I was kind of proud of. Oh, well.
Keep us informed.
Solitude gets me down too. It’s being around others that motivates me to workout and I’ve never had to do it on my own. I’ll be posting on this regularly. Tomorrow, I’ll get specific about what I plan to do. Back fat has to go.