Even at 63 you can dream.....and if you're going to dream you might as well dream big (er....I mean small)!

 Well I figure at the rate I'm going my chances of looking like this will come when I turn 65....so that's what I'm shooting for.  Let's see that gives me 1 year and 4 months to drop 15-17 more pounds and 10 more inches in my core area.  It will not be easy, but then as the old saying goes " Nothing comes easy that's worth anything".  Today I went to my Tuesday Strength class and we did steps with weights and then just weights to strengthen our arms and legs.  This Strength class is actually called "Strength Training".....so it's not really a full workout.  It's an hour long and the fitness trainer shows us different exercises we can do with steps, weights, bands, balance balls, stability sticks etc.   But much like a cooking class or a sewing class, or a woodworking class, you can be shown the things to do and the form in which they should be done, but if you do not take the knowledge home or to the gym or to the woodworking shop, and practice them you really don't benefit from the training.

LISTEN UP!....oops sorry, I didn't mean to yell....I just really need to get your attention here.  This fitness game is serious.  You have to work at it.  It's just like anything else--- you can't just wish it would happen, you have to put in the time and effort and make things happen.  You can't just look at a picture on Pinterest and copy/post it (see above picture) and hope that someday you'll look like that.  I'm being perfectly honest here (been there, done that, voice of experience here).  It just flat will not happen.  When you see the skinny, curvy, muscular, toned gal or guy in the gym and think to yourself....."yeh right...like she really needs to be here!!!  Take a step back and think about this...it's very very possible that that gal or that guy was once overweight and afraid to step foot in a gym to face yet another skinny, curvy, muscular gal or guy.  It's very very possible that at one point they said to themselves, I just need to lose a few pounds so I don't look like some blob walking into the gym that people are going to stare at and silently ridicule.

I was that gal.  I weighed 200 (plus) pounds and I've always been a worrier (about what people think) from the word go.  But then one day something clicked in my head.  I know some of you will hate reading this.....but the first little click came when I started watching "Biggest Loser" on TV.....I know it's a reality show, I know they get paid to show their overweight bodies and let people watch them get weighed every week....but it made me think.  I didn't need to lose as much weight as some of those people and by golly if they can do it...so can I.  Losing weight and getting your body fit, toned, healthy and strong DOES NOT COME FROM SITTING ON THE COUCH WATCHING BIGGEST LOSER OR WISHING YOU LOOKED LIKE THE WINNER AT THE END OF EACH SEASON. It comes from getting off that couch, analyzing/changing the food and the amount of food you eat, going outside to walk, and getting to the gym to work out.  If you're serious you'll want to get a trainer.  Believe me it is worth every single dime you have to pay.

A gal that is in my Cardio Fit class (which consists of 30 minutes of spin and 30 minutes of cardio dance) said to me the other day that getting started and sticking to it was pretty easy for her.....it was simple....it was a matter of life and death (thank you for that inspiration Ellie!)  It is indeed as simple as that.  Think of it that way.  You are fighting for your life.  Don't get me wrong....I know death is a part of life.....not one of us will escape that part of the end of our lives.  But I for one think it's great to know that everyday I watch what I eat and everyday I go to the gym or a fitness class and everyday I put my health and fitness as the number one (top of the list) priority in my life---I'm giving myself the chance to extend my life and the chance that my extended life will be less likely pulled down with arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, cancer and a myriad of other things that being overweight and unfit can bring to you in your elder years.  If I was in my 30's and had young children, I'd think about wanting to be able to run and play with them and be around to see my kids graduate.  If I was in my 40's, I'd think about wanting to be around to see them graduate from college or get a good job, find the love of their lives and be the mother of the bride or groom when they get married.  If I was 50, 60, 70 I'd want to be around to enjoy my grandchildren and maybe even my great grandchildren. 

If you're reading this blog and you're any of those ages, stop for a minute and think about where you are in your life and where you want to be in 10, 20, 30, 40 years.  If you're not healthy and fit, if you're so tired of having to go in the store and buying something in the big girl or the tall and big guy's department, if you feel uncomfortable in your body, if you feel like your eating is out of control.....Help is on the way!!!!! 

Now listen carefully.  Read these words and reread them as many times as it takes to get them to sink in.  "YOU ARE THE HELP YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR"   You are the one who has to get up off the couch and take those first few baby steps.  You are the one who has to make the commitment.  You are the one who has to put in the time and effort.....no matter how slow it goes.  You have to start somewhere.  You have to start today....and if this week doesn't go well, you have to pick yourself up, brush yourself off and start over next week.....and keep doing that.....do not quit....and as my friend Ellie said.....once you get it, once it clicks....it's pretty simple....You're doing it to improve your life and yes maybe even save it.  Get rid of your unhealthy habits and learn some new healthy ones.

Don't say you can't.  Take CAN'T out of your vocabulary.  It's not a question of if you can--it's a question of will you?  I'm hoping you will.  If I could I would scream it from the rooftops....I WANT YOU TO BE HEALTHY AND FIT--PLEASE TAKE THE FIRST STEP!!!  YES I'M TALKING TO YOU!
Remember dreams do come true....this is one of my favorite quotes on taking the steps to make your dreams come true:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills, countless ideas and endless plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and
material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Remember,

I'm cheering for you to dream.....dream big and get up and make your dreams come true!

Till next time....here's to your health and fitness,
Peg