I’m part of a revolution, it seems.
Somehow I’ve become part of a community committed to losing weight, getting fit, and leading an overall healthier lifestyle. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re all growing older and realizing the need to take better care of ourselves. Maybe it’s the realization that we need to set a better example for our children. Maybe it’s being tired of feeling yucky about ourselves. Maybe it’s because we’re weary of dealing with all those weight-related health issues. Maybe it’s simply knowing that bathing suit and shorts season is suddenly upon us.
I’ve been down this road before. A few years ago, I joined Lady of America. I started out by using the elliptical and doing some weight training on my own. Then I started doing Pilates and body blasters classes. After a few weeks of that, I was able to get a few friends to join. We would bring our babies to child care and settle in for our workouts. But then I moved and friends got pregnant and other friends got jobs and the gym closed and memberships were transferred…and that “revolution” fizzled and died a slow, lonely death.
Then came South Beach and – without even really exercising – Matt and I were both able to lose nearly 30 pounds and keep most of it off for the past couple of years. But knowing I needed to kick it up a notch, and the fact that we were essentially wasting our gym membership, I started going back to the gym.
All of a sudden, I find this time that I’m not alone. I’ve got friends who have joined Weight Watchers and are having great success with their points system. I’ve got other friends who have started a Facebook group to help us share our successes and failures along this difficult path toward healthier living. I’ve connected with several friends through DailyMile where we share our workout stories and encourage each other in our attempts to become more physically fit. I’ve got other friends who are in various stages of training for bike rides and warrior dashes and foot races: 5K’s, 10K’s, half-marathons and marathons. Still others get together for spin classes and Latin fusion or zumba or yoga. We cheer each other on. We moan and groan about our sore muscles and aching body parts. We dream of chocolate and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and the guilty pleasures we are denying ourselves to gain better bodies and healthier lives.
It’s working. It’s making a difference. I’m grateful for the way this shared endeavor is bringing me into community with such a wide variety of people. I’m grateful for the changes I see in my own body, and the new confidence I feel about myself. I’m grateful for the accountability and how it keeps me in line with my eating habits and exercise routine. I’m grateful for those who encourage me along the way, and for those I can be an encouragement and inspiration to.
It’s a great thing. And, ironically, to borrow a line from the leader in unhealthy eating, I’m loving it.