Getting Back in Shape After a Long Hiatus

I’m not going to tell you to take it slow or ease back into it because that’s mostly a personal choice on how you feel and what you can handle, because if you’ve been fit before and gotten out of the habit—and yes, being fit is a habit—then you know that generally the body will respond pretty quickly if that’s what you want it to do.

If you ease back into it the body may not take you as seriously. Sometimes it does take awhile to convince yourself that you’re ready to get back into shape and actually get off your buns of steel (or mush) and do it. That’s usually how it happens with me. This is my story but hopefully it’ll help you get motivated.

It does take me a long time to get back into health if I’ve been away from it for a long time. I almost have to talk myself into it. I tell myself for several weeks that I’ll feel better—and I KNOW I’ll feel better, so it’s senseless to ever stop—but life happens sometimes. I stopped last time because I got married and moved to a new city—working out and eating healthy wasn’t as much fun as getting to know my new husband. We actually dated in high school so it was more of getting re-acquainted, but it’s been one heck of ride—a nice ride. After being married for a year and a half now the ride is still great, unfortunately my mid-section has paid the price for all this fun.

I’ve recently started eating a lot more salad and I’m getting more active. It feels great. You can have your cake and eat it too—as long as you remember to work it off quickly. I’ve let it pack itself on a little bit. But since I’ve been fit before and eaten right before, it does come pretty easy—but only after I spend weeks or months talking myself into it.

Don’t feel bad if you have to talk yourself into getting fit and healthy—it happens to a lot of people and does not mean you’re a failure or a wimp. Making changes can be tough, just hang in there and keep taking small steps until you can take bigger ones—it will happen.

Image courtesy: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IJfrkJLwFj59Fj7akafqOw

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