Physical Fitness For Health!

I just started seeing a new doctor.  (Not because I didn’t like my old doctor-I will always love her with fire of a thousand suns, after all she encouraged me to go to Healthy Kitchens, encouraged my Whole30, and had my number when it came to excuses.  She is the absolute best.  But she decided to go to New Zealand for a few years this fall- and who can blame her?  I figured I’d better start establishing care with my new doctor, you know so I could have a place to go if I got sick.  After meeting her, going over all of my most recent labs and my family history she mentioned those dreaded words…Physical Fitness.   Yikes.  Of all the things that I am good at…this is not one of them.  So let’s talk about this…

And although my beloved previous doctor had mentioned this many, many times, my new doctor actually came at me with fighting words.  Now what my lovely new doctor ACTUALLY said is that I seem to following in my dad’s footsteps.  Not that my dad isn’t a great man (he is), but he DID just have the 10th stent put into his heart, and this may not actually be the path that I want to take.  I hear cardiac rehab is not a ton of fun-and my dad has had enough experience with it to be a reliable source.  Wait those fighting works…that actually sounded like a challenge.  And as we all know, challenges are something I can just not turn down (it’s a curse).  Maybe this lovely new doctor has my number too…

There was a time I was in shape.  I’ve done two triathlons for heaven’s sake.  But all of the running wrecked my hip, and I’m now over 40 so my knees are shot, and I can’t breathe when I do anything for more than 5 minutes.  I feel like I’m being tortured.  Tortured.  Physical fitness intimidates me!

But the challenge is on. I HAVE to get my act together.  Physical Fitness -It’s not negotiable.  And let’s be clear.  This is about my health, NOT my weight. (But if I lose a few pounds and gain a few muscles in my quest for health, well, I won’t complain…)

So I went to our With Two Spoons Facebook Page to ask for suggestions, and you all came through for me in spades.  So. Many. Suggestions.  And since some of you may be in the same physical fitness boat as me I’m going to recap here.  (and if you are in the same boat, solidarity my friends-let me know in the comments below. We can help each other)

1.  Walking.  This is the cheapest, easiest suggestion that is probably the most doable at this time.  Anyone local wanting to go for walks-please let me know.  This is a good and easy start and very approachable for my aging, weary self.  Plus it’s summer, and summer in Minneapolis is absolute heaven outside.  And I do have a long list of podcasts and audiobooks to catch up on.  Cue the headphones…
2. Weight Training.  Probably the most bang for my buck.  Whether with a trainer (Maureen-I’m coming for you) or on my own with free weights, strengthening my muscles is probably going to help the most.  Holly has started seeing a trainer and has gotten really strong.  Maybe I’m next.
3. Pilates.  This is next on my list of things to try.  I used to do pilates with my trainer, who left training to start a really cool yoga studio (hi Danielle!), but I haven’t done it since.  There is a new pilates studio in my town and maybe even once a week would make me stronger.
4. Yoga.  I started doing this with my daughter in January, but totally fell off the wagon (it was hard, and I’m busy, and I had to change clothes, and I got sweaty, and I needed a sitter for Brady unless Justin was already home…etc. etc.)  I’m going to try to get myself back onto her schedule for a little mother daughter bonding time in a hot yet zen studio.  Because one thing I am not is flexible (and those of you who know me well are laughing-for many reasons!).
5. Spin.  My husband recently set up my triathlon bike with a trainer downstairs.  He uses it religiously.  Although I would really like a trendy Peloton, he swears his set up is better.  Regardless, I should likely try his set up first to see if I like spin before I spend the bucks.  Especially since there are many other less expensive apps such as Zwift, Studio Sweat on Demand or Aptive.
6. Burn Boot Camp/Farrell’s Kickboxing/Orange Theory Fitness.  I’ve had many friends have a lot of success with these.  I do love the idea of a boot camp and varied workouts so I may have to check these out.  A lot of studios have free trials so you can see if you like it (or at least don’t hate it).
7. Swimming- This is excellent in the summer, but I have to be near a body of water to make it work.  And it’s not ideal in the winter
8. Dancing.  One of our local dance studios has ballet and tap for adults.  I have some friends who take the tap class and LOVE it.  I’m seriously considering it.  I can’t imagine a better way to stomp out some stress. Way outside of my comfort zone, but sometimes that is exactly what I need.
9. Beachbody.  Many of you mentioned this one, and I happen to know many people that are coaches.  I love that they have varied workouts and many different approaches. I also love the idea of a home workout and this may be part of my winter plan when it is too cold to go outside for a walk.

I’m sure there were a few more that I didn’t list, but these were the ones that were mentioned over and over by our readers…and the ones that I thought that I would at least try.

So the next few months are going to be a whirlwind of discovery.  Variety is going to be the name of the game. Ask me what it is working and be prepared to hear what is not.  I may need some gentle nudging and I’d be grateful for anyone willing to accompany me on any of these adventures…even remotely!  Keep me accountable, folks, I’m counting on you!

Keep letting me know what it is working for you-and keep in me mind when you’re working out-post it on our facebook wall even or leave a comment below-I’m using you ALL for inspiration!  And thanks to my friend Lynnea who challenged me to an accountability pact for the first 30 days.  Because you all know how I am with a challenge…

So I got started today…since I’m up at the cabin near a huge lake…I started with SWIMMING.  And although it wasn’t easy, I didn’t die.  And my dog thought it was hilarious… I even have video proof that I did it!  30 minutes of swimming laps in the lake was exhausting, but the sun sure did feel good on my back.

 

As always, if you have ideas about physical fitness-leave us a comment below.  I can use ideas, encouragement, wins, losses, your stories.  You name it, I want to hear it!