Today’s Fit Five Friday features Mandy from Washington, DC. Let’s see what she has to say about health, fitness, and her body.
1. What do you love about your body?
I think there are a few things that I really love about my body. I love my calves; for some reason no matter if I gain or lose weight, they always seem to remain the same size. On top of that I am a big fan of my eyes, although most people don’t really get to see them behind my coke-bottle-esque glasses.
2. What would you like to change about your body?
Really the only thing I would like to change about my body is the size of my breasts. I have always been larger than average and now as I am getting older I find that they are responsible for a lot of pain in my shoulders and back. Plus, even when I lose weight, they don’t really shrink. I’ve begun the steps needed to go ahead with a reduction surgery, but am stalling due to the long(ish) recovery time.
3. Have you ever been or are you currently on a diet?
If I go on a diet I tend to always fall back to following the Weight Watchers plan. By tracking my food, being hyper-sensitive about portion sizes, and learning how to make healthier substitutes for food I love, I find that even if I don’t lose the amount that I wanted, I just start to feel better about the food that I am consuming. I also like that WW never feels like I am punishing myself; I can bank points for special evenings out or for happy hour with my friends, which I like because I don’t have to call attention to myself by always ordering the tiniest salad or entree on the menu.
4. Have you ever or do you currently belong to a gym?
Until recently I belonged to a gym, but I now live in a building with an incredible small gym setup, which includes treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, nautilus machines, yoga mats, etc. I miss the pool from my last membership, but not having to walk to the gym when it is still dark out is a huge life improvement for me.
5. What does fitness mean to you?
Fitness for me means being able to live an active life without feeling like I cannot do something. I am currently trying to rebuild my fitness after a knee and ankle injury and it is really hard going. I am looking forward to the day when I will be out hiking again and not worrying about my leg giving out. I am not so concerned about being thin or having the body of a twenty-year-old anymore. I just like to feel good about my level of physical activity.
Bonus: What is your current fitness goal?
My current fitness goal kind of ties in to the previous question. Right now I want to be able to play softball, walk, hike, etc., without feeling like I am going to injure myself more by taking part in an activity. Building strength in my injured leg is my main priority.
