BlogHer - When I Believe, I Can: My Journey to Physical Fitness and More - Comments

Thanks I will.....

traceyhuguley — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:47:10 -0600

Debra,

I will stay in touch. I gardened today just to get outside and move. Believe it or not it is in the 70's in Austin, Texas today.

I'll stay in touch.

Hugs,
traceyhuguley.blogspot.com

Please let know

debra roby — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:01:47 -0600

Tracy,

Please let me know how you choose to get into shape and your progress.

Miracles in our lives are the universe's life savers.. aren't they?

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Thank you Kalyn.

debra roby — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:10:16 -0600

I'm on a journey here.. and who knows what all the destinations are. But the trip's been worth it. And if you think I looked fit last year, wait until you see me (OK.. see me arms!) this July!

The interesting part of the journey at the moment is more about learning (more) about to eat as a flexitarian. A part that isn't happening in the gym. In the gym, it's time for me to work hard on balance and flexibility. (oh yeah... I hate working on balance.)

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Believing is the trick...

debra roby — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:03:59 -0600

SocalMom,

Believing is the trick! I think I needed that voiced before I even realized it was a part of the equation. Maybe Torq can push you a little harder and get you started in this. (Great name for a trainer, BTW).

Yeah, the sessions are expensive, and a factor in timing them. (I will likely scale back to a once-a-week check in). It would be nice if these were tax-deductible health expenses wouldn't it?

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Great job!

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:11:57 -0600

I was one of those who was very impressed with how totally fit you looked at BlogherCon, so it was very fun to read about the trip you took to get to that point. Way to Go!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

"The Universe will move heaven and earth"

traceyhuguley — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:27:59 -0600

Wow...what an inspiring and motivating story. I too need to get into shape. Not to be thin but for my health and mental well being. I was resisting the gym...thanks for the "insight". I will take a closer look at that.

I've had something similiar happen in my life recentely. I asked for and recieved spiritual guidance from an amazing woman named Robin Rice at bewhoyouare.com

I was in need of a miracle in my life and this lady has been the conduit that has helped me. So I agree with you "ask and you shall recieve". Not always in the way you think it will come.

Hugs and blessings to all,
traceyhuguley.blogspot.com (my life journey, homeschooling,etc...)

What an inspiring post!

SocalMom — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:16:44 -0600

Like you, I concluded that I needed the incentive of an appointment with a trainer (I call mine Torquemada) to start getting into the habit of fitness. After our initial three-day a week contract, I had to taper off to once per week (too expensive) and so the results have not been as good as I'd like -- but I walked in to the gym today of my own accord and did a workout.

And like you, now that I'm getting close to goal, I feel it's time to mix it up a little. Torq and I are going to discuss my changed workout goals tomorrow, and I'm even a little bit excited about it.

I'm just not yet at that point where I BELIEVE. So thank you for reminding me of what I still need to do!

Thank you Laurie...

debra roby — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:30:11 -0600

When BlogHer told us this was coming and asked me to a couple pieces this month, I was thrilled. It's not my "beat".. but this past year has changed me so much I wanted to share it!

I'm loving all the work coming out this series.. and can't wait as the mental, financial and all other kinds of health roll more fabulous pieces out to join these.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

so inspiring

laurie — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:25:46 -0600

Debra, thanks so much for sharing this inspiring and beautifully written story.

This piece (along with Zandria's below) should be a primer for every person who's ever been intimidated by the idea of going to the gym or even working out at all.

laurie
www.notjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com

When I Believe, I Can: My Journey to Physical Fitness and More

debra roby — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:58:05 -0600

When you tell The Universe what you want, she will move heaven and earth to bring you what you need.

I believe this. It's one of the few statements of faith that I hold firmly onto. In late September, 2006, I aimed intention at The Universe when I, exhausted, unhappy and overweight, said : I need to find a trainer and get myself in shape! I had spent a brutal three weeks in the Midwest moving my mother-in-law into assisted living. Stress and poor diet had added an extra 8 pounds that I didn't need. I was achey, I was aging, I was miserable, but I was flying home.

The Universe heard.

As I walked in the door, I flipped on the television from habit. The first words to greet me were: Get 6 sessions with a personal trainer when you join 24 Hour Fitness as part of our Biggest Loser Special. It struck me like a punch. I didn't want to join that place; I wanted something different... what exactly, I couldn't explain or define. Something more unusual; something less "gym-ey". I wasn't happy that The Universe was telling me: forget what you imagine. Get yourself to this gym.

I went. I signed up. The sales consultant found a young guy he thought would be great for me. This trainer, we shall call him Guido, slouched into the chair opposite me, smiled charmingly, and set up an appointment for the next week. I was dubious.

Our first workout was the longest half-hour of my life! I was sore, (sore!!) for two days after a half-hour workout. We moved slowly through those first short sessions. I would feel frustrated and mis-understood; he would sigh or laugh at my excuses and patiently try to get me in the program. I was starting to feel a little less ragged, though, so I signed up for more sessions when the first 6 were over.

Workouts weren't getting easier and without a formal appointment, I didn't often make it to the gym. However, I beginning to get more comfortable with my trainer and share a bit with him.

"I'm a klutz." I said.
"We can work on that." he answer.
"No. Really. I have always been uncoordinated and awkward."
"Yes. Really. We can work on that. Let's do it right now!"

The exercise involves stepping up on a platform on one foot, balancing, then doing a military press with light weights. Yeah. I tried and unbalanced. Tried. Unbalanced. Tried. Unbalanced again. My body was wobbly, my mind felt buzzy, I could barely concentrate. I kept on thinking: I CAN'T DO THIS. Guido finally forcefully said: I know you think you can't, but I know can! And we are staying here until you do! Something clicked. Maybe it was exhaustion, but I think it was wisdom finally showing up. I took a deep breath and decided, just this once, to believe Guido instead myself. I cranked out all the required moves without a slip-up as long I focused on his belief in me instead of my own unbelief in myself.

It changed everything.

I came to really understand that I was my biggest roadblock. If I could believe, I could do. At first, I depended heavily on Guido's positive belief in me. Over time I was able to begin believing in myself. This is the greatest secret of this entire year. I can do anything if I truly believe. How often we've heard this, but I had seldom let myself experience it. Now I had experiences that not only showed me this truth but also let me practice doing this simple, complicated thing.

My workouts grew to three times a week: once or twice with my trainer and the other times by myself. As time allowed, I'd also come in up to 2 days for some additional cardio (yes, from hating the gym to going 5 days a week. Who was this woman?) I was losing 1.5# a week. By March, I hit the half-way point toward my goal, and rewarded myself with new jeans. From size 12 to size 8! Weight loss slowed after that, but as the workouts continued, my confidence grew. I headed to BlogHer Con 30 pounds lighter than the previous October. Those who were there witnessed my confident glow.

When I returned, I admitted to Guido what he means to me: He is my corner man. You know that man in the boxing ring that cheers the fighter on, spots his flaws, fixes his scrapes, and is the fighter's biggest supporter? That's Guido! I believe that in the best trainer/client situations, there will always be a similar relationship. He was touched to near speechlessness when I explained this to him, but he has taken his role very seriously.

I haven't made it easy for him.

That same day I told him that when our training contract ran out, I was taking 3 months off from working with him. I even convinced him to give me his blessings when I explained my purpose. For the next couple months our training focused on perfect form to keep me safe and uninjured. How did I convince him?

I had goals I couldn't achieve while working with a trainer:

1. Make 3-4 appointments a week with myself to work out and honor them.
2. Plan a hard workout and hold myself to it. No more "I'm bored with this." or "I hate doing crunches" and relying on Guido to make me do them. I had to do some mental strength work too.
3. Shake things up a bit. Take some classes, maybe work out with a friend. Stretch my workout wings a little.

In October I started this phase. I was scared at first but I talked myself beyond that:

I think (and it's only a think at this point), that what I really want to do is try to insure that I'm working out when Guido isn't there. Really be on my own. Because I know he'll be lurking in the background making sure I'm not screwing up, but not wanting to do so either. Not that I haven't done workouts on my own before; and I've ignored Guido's presence in the gym while doing those.

But today is that FIRST. That first time being responsible. That pattern-setting, success-making time. (jeez, can I put more pressure on myself for just one workout? It's only a work out, gal!) And I need to break the habit of thinking that he's involved in this workout thing.

My whole mood changed while I was exfoliating. I desperately want to work out my biceps and triceps. Scrubbing my thighs, I want to work those quads and hamstrings too. But I really, really, really, really want to work those biceps. I'm even wearing a sleeveless tank in bright white to show them off. Arms: they're the older woman's equivalent of the great rack when you're in your 20s. Except I never had that rack! Saggy boobs can only be fixed by surgery; flabby arms are under my control.

Screw anything else! I'm off to the gym!

Since that first pep talk, I successfully made it in whenever gym appeared on my schedule. I (mostly) did the workouts that I planned to do. I learned a lot about myself in doing so. The most surprising:

This fitness thing is still not a part of my "normal" lifestyle, yet! I still have to think about going to the gym. If I did not go for 2 weeks, I could possibly stop altogether. This shocks me every time I realize it.

Today I'm talking with my trainer about what we will accomplish in a new set of workouts. I have so much I still need to learn: how to change my workouts so I don't get bored; how to become more flexible; how to become balanced. Guido, I'm certain, has his own plans for pushing my physical limits; we'll work a plan out together to get me where I want to grow. Now that I believe in myself, I know I can do whatever we plan.

Debra Roby blogs her workout thoughts every week as a Tale of the Scale at Deb's Daily Distractions and normally blogs at Blogher about all things crafty and garden-ey.