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Body image is individual. It isn't about size. It's about lifetime health and fitness no matter what your size. The skinny rail image the media pushes off on women is disgustingly unhealthy. The way to
a healthy fitness level doesn't jeopardize your health or stipulate a certain body image.
Several years ago pregnancy ballooned my size five, 5'3" frame sixty-five pounds. No way hospital departure would be celebrated in pre pregnancy jeans. I cringed at my afterbirth reflection as I
donned stretch pants and a maternity top.
Feeling unattractive was the least of it. I felt doomed to Pillsbury Dough Boy status.
My first exercise step at five a.m. was the hardest thing I've done in mid-life crisis. My brain doesn't function mornings. Two miles in eight minutes was history. Every atom ached as I slowly pushed
the first half mile. My hips felt out of socket, gluts flabby, legs wobbly, ankles weak.
I felt two hundred years old as my decrepit body screamed--QUIT.
Determined, I only did what I felt like doing and didn't push too hard. I maintained the half mile jaunt Monday through Friday. Weekends were made for sleep. If I missed a day, no bother. I ran the
next. I followed the three day rule, never miss more than three days straight or you lose what you've gained.
A year later: It became easier to get up in the early a.m. Sometimes I awoke before the alarm.
I became stronger. The half mile increased to a mile. My hips and gluts tightened, legs toned, ankles strengthened. My mood elevated.
Inches dropped on a low fat diet, but not enough. Gluts did not firm to goal and legs weren't lean. I reminisced to days when the most I did was trip over the vacuum and untie my socks.
Two years later: I changed my running style to a power walk after reinjuring a shin splint for the umpteenth time, bought top-of-the-line tennis shoes,increased the movement of my arms and upped my
water intake.
The low fat diet left me constantly starving. Afternoons, I was noticeably tired. My mood tumbled so obviously, a weight lifter friend suggested a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. I watched
calories and removed sugar entirely from my diet.
Slowly I burned most of the fat and leaned the muscles at two miles daily maximum. My gluts became stronger, legs leaner.
A neighbor ran past me for the first time at a full blown sprint. She commented I'd never get anywhere moving like a turtle. The second day she huffed and puffed past me and then I never saw her run
again. I smiled smugly and continued working it.
Today: I'm not perfect, but a guilt-free size five feels invigorating. There's a powerful feeling over all.
The neighbor asked how I stay in "such good shape." Straight faced, I patiently explained exercise is a lifetime commitment. You can't do it overnight. Take your time. Build lean muscle fiber
to burn fat. Work up to cardiovascular fitness. Watch calories. Eat a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Remove sugar from your diet. Whatever exercise you decide, enjoy it.
- Exercise is a lifetime commitment.
- You can't do it overnight.
- Take your time.
- Build lean muscle fiber to burn fat.
- Work up to cardiovascular fitness.
- Watch calories.
- Eat a high protein, low carbohydrate diet.
- Remove sugar from your diet.
- Whatever exercise you decide, enjoy it.
I feel better about foregoing mornings to gain a healthy body. Bare legs in a pair of gold high heels beat a pair of lousy jeans any day.
There's a spring in my step. My cardiovascular fitness has been reached. That's an important goal for someone who had a series of mild heart attacks at age nineteen.
I feel good in Shula's Westshore Tampa Marriot restaurant as I stare at the live lobster the waiter is offering along with other raw meats. The crustacean's beady eyes pleading, please don't boil me,
you'll like the steak much better, try salad, try Italian, anything, I don't want to be red, red doesn't become me, it's a conspiracy, get your hands off my antennae....shameless. Don't call me a
bleeding heart sucker. Could I have a nibble of that lobster, palleeaasse?
Readers Comments:
"I am battling a bypass. Thank you for reminding me I can feel alive again." -- Balioj, Zurich-Switzerland
"I started running right after I read Fit for Life. You gave me the courage to get started on a well needed exercise program." -- Luce, Alberta,
Canada
"I knew I needed to do something. I was 120 pounds over weight and in my culture that is shocking. Since I read how you stay in shape, I have lost
98 pounds. I feel like a small queen thanks to you." -- Mia, Tokyo, Japan
"I don't want to admit that I hated the thought of exercising.
You made me realize it didn't have to be that hard and I could actually enjoy it." -- Nerissa, Perth, Australia
"I had the misconception you American women ate whatever you wanted, didn't
care what you looked like and all of you were overweight. I couldn't have been more wrong." -- Viola, Manchester, England
"I took your advice and started power walking. I want you to know I feel fantastic, because of you." -- Jennie, New York
"Thank you so much for the inspirational story. I am recovering from anorexia. I have tried to spread awareness about how devastating eating disorders
are.
I still have bad days but there are many more good days. My goal is to just be fit and healthy. Many people think getting fit happens overnight and it doesn't. It is only from discipline, motivation, exercise and a healthy diet do all theses things happen. I want to feel my best and I am trying to get out of the negative head space about looking like a waif. I am learning to accept myself and do not need others approval about who I should be. Thank you again." -- Anon
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©1999 Kay Chirichigno
An Interview with Kay Chirichigno
By Anita Wadd
Read some of Kay's other Columns
Lost Love written by Kay Chirichigno can be found at www.booksonscreen
.com
or order from Barnes & Noble
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