Today’s Fit Five Friday features me! While this whole blog is about my take on these issues, I didn’t have anyone else to feature today. (That’s your queue to send me your responses to the Fit Five, people!) So, with that said, let’s see what I have to say about health, fitness, and my body.
If you’d like to submit your answers to the Fit Five, email me at bigfitdeal@gmail.com.
1. What do you love about your body?
I love my legs and feet. They are strong and powerful, and they get me to the finish line of my half marathons. I have put my feet through a lot of abuse (ever heard the expression “toenails are for sissies”?), and even suffered a year-long injury to my leg, but my lower body still comes through for me in the end. Half marathon number 10 is scheduled for May 2013!
2. What would you like to change about your body?
I would love it if I was more proportionate. I have very small hands, feet, and chest, but large arms, belly, and hips. It’s difficult to find clothes that fit all over. And if you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know the struggles I’ve had to find knee-high boots that fit my muscular calves and my size 5 1/2 feet!
3. Have you ever been or are you currently on a diet?
I have been on two major diets. The first was a low-carb one called The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet. The second was Weight Watchers. Over the course of those two diets, I lost 90 pounds. Over ten years later, I have kept 60 of those pounds off (making me a statistical anomaly). Today, I don’t subscribe to any particular diet; rather, I eat well-balanced meals 80% of the time. The other 20% is mostly pizza!
4. Have you ever or do you currently belong to a gym?
I have belonged to three gyms. I have never enjoyed going to a gym; I much prefer to work out in the comfort and privacy of my own home. I don’t enjoy sweating and panting in front of other people, but also, as a fat person, I feel like I am judged when I enter a gym. Whether that’s all in my head or not, it makes me uncomfortable. Also, when you’re training for a half marathon (which is the focus of much of my exercise efforts), it’s better to be outside. I once trained for a half over the winter months at a gym with an indoor track that was 1/16th of a mile. Imagine walking ten miles around that thing! Right now my home gym consists of an elliptical trainer, free weights, a medicine ball, resistance bands, kettlebells, a BoSU ball, and a whole drawer full of workout DVDs.
5. What does fitness mean to you?
Fitness means being able to accomplish your physical goals. It’s not about weight or BMI or your pant size. It’s about feeling strong, healthy, powerful, and just downright good.
Bonus: What is your current fitness goal?
My current fitness goal is to develop my core strength and balance, which I’m doing with the help of my new BoSU ball. I want to improve my ability to do planks, side planks, and push ups. A long-term goal might be to walk a full marathon. Maybe. No promises!
