People may think that once a person gets in shape, it’s easy
for them to maintain such. It can be. But just as with other aspects of our
lives, many influences measure whether we’ll maintain top physical
shape…or…slack a bit.
The hustle and bustle of everyday life is enough to
challenge even the most devote to keeping in shape. But, add to that additional
stress, illness, life changes, etc, and you’ve got a cocktail for pounds and
inches creeping back on that you’d rather not see return.
For me, a person who loves to work out, I find great comfort
in doing so. The added benefits I gain to help strengthen and reinforce my
injured areas is icing on my physical workout cake. But, just as others find it
hard to balance life, kids, family and work while squeezing in routine
workouts, so do I.
Over the past six months, I haven’t been able to work out as
regularly as I’d like. Part of that was due to time constraints. But more
stemmed from the emotional drain I felt due to my divorce, moving out on my own
and buying my own house. So…time between workouts got a little…broader while
the intensity of said workouts diminished.
Lucky me…since I’d been in top physical condition due to
running marathons, etc, my physical appearance appeared the same…for a long spell.
But, sooner or later, diminished physical exercise coupled with bucket loads of
stress was bound to take their toll.
My friends and loved ones assure me I look fine. But to me,
looks aren’t enough. I know that I must hold myself to a higher standard of
staying in shape than most. Why? Because I have multiple lifelong injuries. So,
where others might think gaining five to ten pounds is no big deal, to me, it
can mean the difference between navigating through my day with ease or hurting every
step of the way.
I’m not a fan of the latter, so, now that life has finally
settled into a workable routine, I’ve resumed my workouts. This time, however,
I won’t be striving to run any marathons. Not saying one isn’t in my future, just
that I’m no longer setting my entire workout routine towards that end. Remaining
dedicated—at first—isn’t easy. But I’m determined to reclaim control of being
physically fit so I can make it through my days relatively pain free.
And, just like any other person who’s slacked with their
workouts, getting back in a routine is hard. The biggest challenge is to psyche
myself up to a daily workout—one that will help strengthen, tone and firm my
body to the shape it needs to be in order to protect my injured parts.
Took some doing, but I’ve come up with modified workouts
that I think will accomplish my goal. Course, time will tell. But for now, I’m
just happy to be working out again—daily. Pushing my body hard, yet not so hard
as to risk hurting it. With so much of my life having changed—drastically—over
the past year and a half, it feels good to reclaim control over this part of my
ever-evolving life.
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