This post is by Kate Freeman of Kate Freeman Nutrition.
Exercise, to me, is like a drug … well, from what I know about drugs, because I’ve never actually used them. But from what I’ve heard, engaging in vigorous physical activity gives me a similar rush.
Now, I hate putting on my runners and walking out the door but I love the feeling I get at the end of the training session—this amazingly worn out feeling, though I’m energized and alive all at the same time. Exercise makes me view my body more positively, gives me a better perspective on challenging areas of my life, and is the best stress relief technique I’ve ever come across.
It hasn’t always been this way. I use to be a fad exerciser. I’d do something for a couple of weeks until the novelty wore off, and then I’d go back to being lazy again. I took for granted that I was a healthy weight, had healthy bones, muscles and joints, and had a body that seemed to function perfectly.
Then I got pregnant.
By the end of my second pregnancy it had been over two years since I’d engaged in regular physical activity. I had been a bit sporadic—maybe a walk here and a Wii Fit session there—but nothing consistent. Nine months of morning sickness for both pregnancies had left me tired, depleted, and terribly unfit, not to mention hemorrhaging with my first labor, which left me borderline anemic.
The first time I actually did anything more than a walk left me breathless and feeling like passing out after about ten seconds.
Where was my fitness, my stamina, my motivation? It was all gone. My body was way below par and my fitness destination seemed too far from where I was to even begin the path of restoration. My once healthy weight felt like it could balloon at any second. I had to do something.
One thing, only a little thing, was enough to kick start me into action. Here’s the story.
I was eight months pregnant with my second child, and I remember groaning as I pulled myself off the lounge. Every part of me ached. My feet felt like they were burning, I half choked on the acid reflux that came up my throat as my uterus crushed my poor little stomach that felt like it was already in my armpit. My hips were shooting with pain when I made any kind of quick movement, and my poor neck said, “If you vomit one more time, I’m going to pack it in.” Well it didn’t really say that, but I’m sure if it could talk, it would have.
I used to watch this Coca-Cola ad on TV with these perfect, skinny girls running and jumping around, all happy and energetic. I’d go green with envy as my whale of a body, could barely get itself out of bed in the morning.
How I wished I could be like those girls: energetic and carefree. How I wished to have my pre-pregnant body back. If I did, I wouldn’t take it for granted this time. I would look after it, be a regular exerciser, put good food into its tummy and keep it healthy.
That day I made a vow to myself—a promise that I would forever keep. When this baby was out, the exercise was on! It seemed I hadn’t realized what I had until I’d lost it. An unwell pregnancy had made me very grateful for the healthy, functioning body I had before my babies—especially when I realized there were people out there in far more difficulty than I was in.
Three weeks later I held my little baby boy in my arms and revelled in immediate relief from my horrifying pregnancy hormones. No more vomiting, no more reflux, no more hip, neck, back, foot, or body pain. I was back.
After waiting the customary six weeks, and catching up on much-needed sleep, I got the all-clear from the doctor and I was back in business. My vow was still very much in the forefront of my mind. So thankful was I to not be pregnant that I didn’t want to waste a minute. On went the joggers, a new fitness outfit (purple and black, to match my shoes), and my favorite music tracks.
Two minutes into jogging, I felt like I was going to die.
I could have given up then. It all seemed too much, and I was never going to get my fitness back. But my vow came back to me. All I could hear was my own words in the back of my mind, “You promised yourself, Kate. You remember what it was like to not be able to exercise. Now you can, so don’t miss your chance”.
The next day I gave it another shot, and I got a little bit further. Every time I wanted to give up I remembered my vow, and I remember the feeling of having the opportunity to move my body taken away. The next day I tried again.
My son is now ten months old. I have been exercising consistently for about eight months now. I can interval walk/run 10kms with my jogger pram and have lost 7kg. And I feel great. I’m so happy with my body, I feel confident in the bedroom with my husband, and I have so much energy. I sleep like a log and a month ago I bought a $200 pair of jeans. They go right on—no fuss, no muffin top, just nice.
Don’t get me wrong: there were a couple of highly stressful events during that time when the exercise stopped for a week or two, but the promise, still echoing in my head, made me get right back into it again. I’m not a fad exerciser any more. I’m a consistent exerciser—and that’s the key.
I became a runner because it doesn’t cost me anything, I can take my kids (I have an amazing twin jogger stroller), I can work as hard or as easy as I like, I can go when I like, and it gave me my fitness back. I could start out slow—just a couple of minutes at first—and then build up more and more endurance. I didn’t have to spend heaps of money on equipment or gear, either.
I’m a runner because it taught me patience, endurance and perseverance.
If you have lost your fitness, or maybe you never had it and think it’s all too hard—don’t give up. If I can do it, so can you.
Editor’s Note: Want to tell us what you love—and why—in a post for FeelGooder? Submit your ideas to us!
Kate Freeman is extremely passionate about providing honest, simple nutrition advice and doing it in such a way that inspires and motivates people to make positive lifestyle changes to achieve their health and nutritional goals. She is married with 2 children and lives in New South Wales, Australia.
About Guest Contributor
Great post. I have been trying to get motivated this morning. After reading this, I want to get on my treadmill. Thanks!
That’s awesome! You never fail, if you never give up!
I have exercised off and on for years, but never to the point of really making a difference in how I feel. I went thru a very low point in my lufe last year, and in November I made a decision to just walk on my treadmill for 15 minutes each morning at a slow steady pace. I missed some days, for sure, but I feel that now I am a conistent exerciser. I usually walk 35 minutes, an interval routine of hills and fast walking (haven’t made it to *running* yet!). I feel SO much better, and if I miss more than one day, my body makes me get up and walk! Oh, I make sure I do it first thing in the morning before anything else gets in the way!
Congrats to you for bouncing back!
Bernice
How does your faith affect your ability to cope?
I love that idea of starting slow, I think sometimes we want everything at the click of our fingers but life doesn’t work like that. Slow and steady wins the race! Thanks for your comment.
Great post, Kate. It’s important to know that it’s always within you to make yourself better (mentally or physically). I’ve been preaching the importance of commitment – it matters little what you do, even a walk around the block as long as you stick to it and build on it – and your post is a fine testament to that.
Have you tried running in Vibrams? I’m told it’s a life-changing experience.
Thanks! I haven’t tried that – will have to look into it. Cheers
It’s a great article, Kate 🙂 With my hate to running, you somehow let even me feel the joy of it. 🙂
What I would like to share with you – a quick tip, a trick of mine, on how to improve it from the very beginning (not to hate to put on runners). 🙂
There was time I couldn’t run, and even a walk was painful. And I was dreaming of running up the stairs. 🙂 Feeling the stamina of my body, enjoying my strength and health. But when I stood at the first floor, and looked upstairs, I felt unable to even walk up. Then, standing there, I started to send love through all my body, again and again and again, continuing to look upstairs. And then the moment came, when it just felt easy and joyful, as if I was already up! Then I started to run upstairs, and it was such a joy! and easy! and I was enjoying the run and my body to the fullest! 🙂
It reminds me of Abraham-Hicks’s recommendation to always first aligning the energy, and only then participating in action.
So that’s what I do since then: when I’m feeling I’m not up to it, I just stand there and send love, and wait for that spark to ignite inside me. And then it’s easy and fun. 🙂
This is a great story! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Love the smiley faces!
Hi Kate, Thank you for your article, it was most encouraging. I’m 71, overweight and under exercised. I start and stop. Usually I walk 1 to 3 miles(about 5 K) at the most. I’ve tried to walk 5 to 6 times a week. There is always the temptation to skip a day or two but your article encourages me to keep trying and just “do it”. Thanks again and I enjoyed your article.
Dale
Thanks for sharing, glad to hear you feel inspired to keep going!
Dear Kate
Thank you for sharing so candidly & honest – it is an inspiring article.
Thanks
Michelle
Thanks Michelle, appreciate your comment.
Hey Kate
A very nice article and very nicely put. You have captured almostall the problems one can face while trying to start training/exercising.
I am a software professional with horrible timings alongwith asthma and a major ligament injury (its healed up now…). So you get the picture. I am (not reached the point where i can say “was”…) unfit.
I found running too difficult. 200 mts and i used sit there huffing and puffing while others whizzed past me at rate even my mind couldnt even imagine me going. as i sat there i used to think that i was never going to get any better and m so useless that i cant even run.
then i made up my mind and whenever i thought of quitting i always thought ” i can always walk..”.
Its been a month now since m running regularly and i feel proud that i can run 6 km with 2 breaks.
Thanks a lot for the post. Nicely written.
Nakul Ogale
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,
you may be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often
come back later in life. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing,
have a nice afternoon!
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