My Fitness Journey
By Cindy Fertsch
“I didn’t realize you are expecting,” are the words that made me realize I needed to do something about my declining health and fitness.
I was 46 years old and had recently gained 40 pounds following a radical hysterectomy. To make matters worse, each of the added pounds seemed to go straight to my midsection. My belly was huge. Yet my legs remained relatively thin and weak, leaving me with a Mrs. Potato Head kind of physique. I had felt more tired and as if the best years of my life had already passed. I knew I had to change my ways.
I decided to begin my healthy revolution with a visit to the family doctor. “It’s probably a result of too many carbohydrates in your diet,” she said while examining my abdomen. My blood pressure was borderline high and the doctor noted that my weight was at an all time high. I went home and drowned my sorrows in some of my favorite comfort foods, pretzels and diet coke. “Were pretzels carbohydrates?” I wondered.
I began to research healthy living, forced myself to give up diet soda, drank ridiculous amounts of water and began reducing my carbs and sugar. I also joined a gym and did cardio machines three to four times a week. I was making some, albeit slow, progress.
In the meantime, one of my daughters had been training at the same gym where I was doing my cardio. She loved it. I decided to watch her one day as I did my 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. The trainer was full of bulging muscles with tattoo designs on them. I was surprised to see her doing heavy weight lifting.
“Your on the boy’s side of the gym,” I told her. “Girls do not want muscles like that.” I am so ashamed to admit that I told her. She was 18 years old and I knew I really couldn’t and shouldn’t tell her how to exercise. Plus she seemed so healthy, vibrant and happier than she had ever been.
I considered what she said and did some research on my own. I decided to give it a try. First with the personal training, and then I joined in the group classes. It was hard, especially in the beginning. I pushed through it, with a lot of encouragement from both the trainer and my daughter. With the fitness training and diet modifications, I lost seven pounds a month and eventually I got back to my normal weight range. I added in yoga classes and jogging. A year later, I was so proud when I finished my first 5k race.
Nearly 4 years later, I still go to the fitness classes and I am also training to run my first Half Marathon in April, only a few days after my 50th birthday. My fitness level is nothing to boast of, but I am stronger than I ever knew I could be.
I hated changing my habits, but I forced myself to make small changes in my daily routine, that ultimately led me to a healthier lifestyle. I still have a long way to go, but I’ve learned that life’s about the journey, not the finish line. I continue to learn and adapt. I often slip up, eat the wrong things, or skip the gym. But then I just try to get back on track and keep taking little steps towards the healthy lifestyle I want.
This issue of Shore Local features a special section called “Healthy New Year,” and it is full of information and tips to help you live out your healthiest and happiest New Year.
