Another thing that has been contributing to me not feeling great about myself in recent months is the fact that I wasn’t feeling as physically strong and fit as I had been. After discovering the joy of physical activity over the course of the first couple of years and really embracing different types of exercise, last spring I started to hurt more. My right knee gave me chronic pain. Then I developed the horrid heel pain with plantar fasciitis plus slight tears in my Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
I began to gain some weight back which made everything even worse. Emotionally and mentally, the combined affects of the injuries, the arthritic knee, and the extra weight slowly eroded my enthusiasm for exercise. I backslid into more sedentary ways. I lost my excitement about all the great things that I could do with my body that I couldn’t before my weight loss surgery. I couldn’t even do my Tai Chi, which I absolutely love. Overall, I just felt like more of a blob as time went on.
As soon as possible after the foot doctor cleared me to restart more physical exercises, I went back to Tai Chi. Then I discovered the wonderful, amazing rowing classes. Somewhere along the line, my spirit rejuvenated and I became determined to reclaim the level of physical fitness that I’d achieved before. That led to me committing to three rowing classes a week – even getting up extra early to make it to the 7 a.m. classes! (If you knew me, you’d know that this was alien behavior for me. 🙂 )
For the last couple of months, I have consistently rowed three days a week. I guess it’s about a month and a half since the trainers started incorporating some additional strength and conditioning exercises in the classes. I give every class all of the energy and effort that I can muster and push myself when I feel like I can’t. In the last few weeks, even while I struggle with the number on the scale, I can see and feel physical improvement in my body. Last week I experienced that wonderful realization of how much stronger I am in my core, as evidence by my much-improved form in sit ups.
Recognizing the improvements is having an incredibly positive effect on my emotions and mental attitude. This really became obvious to me over this Thanksgiving weekend. Even before, I prepared by going to rowing classes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. (We knew the rowing studio was closed Thursday through Sunday.) I think I shared before that on Thursday I not only took Nat out for a long walk, but I also did some exercising at home with free weights, push ups, sit ups and planks, then even a full set of Tai Chi.
I kept my activity going on Friday with another long walk. Today, I rode my bike to and from Tai Chi class and around town a little doing some errands.
Before dinner, Nat and I went out for a long walk. As we were walking, I tuned into how my body was feeling. I felt the regular slight twinges I get in my knee, but really acknowledged how great I felt overall. Strength in the muscles; a free and easy stride; from head to toe, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, lungs and other organs all smoothly work together. In that moment, I realized that I finally feel fit again.
This, my friends, is glorious. Not only does it lighten my spirit, it energizes my heart. I am truly enjoying my own physical ability. Glorious and wonderful, indeed. I’m inspired to keep it all going. I’ve already signed up for my three rowing classes next week. Tomorrow morning, even though it’s Sunday, I’m meeting a friend at her condo community. We’re going to workout together in the community’s gym. They have great machines.
I’m inspired as well to not waste the effort by making poor eating choices. Maybe this is the piece I needed to reclaim in order to finally break through my long lasting plateau. We will see!
Weighty Matters 
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