When talking about health and fitness there are a few sayings you’ll hear over and over again. “No excuses.” “Just do it.” “No quitting.” Okay, okay, I get the point already. I am not going to have that fabulous body if I sit on the couch and eat ice cream and chips all day long. As Britney would say, “you gotta work b*tch”. I’ve also heard that 40 is the new 20. With my 40th approaching later this year, I have no time to lose! Taking charge of your health is a lifetime commitment. It is a simple concept really, but at the same time a difficult one. It involves not only your diet, but also your physical AND mental states as well. I’ll be the first to admit, I had some serious issues to work through. I have one goal for 2015. To be healthy. To teach my kids how to be healthy, leading by example. I was in a major car accident last summer that left me unable to look up or down, left or right, otherwise I would fall over. The ground was no longer straight to me. My migraines were no longer controllable and had no triggers I could rely on. They came and left when they wanted and were sure to come with such intensity I would not soon forget them. With it came depression. I love food and food loves me. When I noticed my clothes weren’t fitting like they used to I started declaring, “I’ll sue them for this”. I can be immature and unrealistic at times. At Christmas I decided I had had enough. It was ok if my jeans didn’t fit nice. Not like I really liked any of them that much anyways. I prefer my leggings and yoga pants. But what got me? My pretty clothes didn’t fit. I mean, I could get them on, but let’s be honest, there was nothing pretty or sexy about it. That was it. “I’m in charge of this show,” and I meant it. I proceeded to do one of my typical High Intensity Interval Training workouts. I was cleared by my physician and my physiotherapist. I did three days in a row. I had a lot of catching up to do, so I pushed hard. Then. I basically fell on my ass. The pain, the dizziness, the migraine. My body failed me. For some reason the thought of failing at this one thing was not enough and I started looking at all the areas where I failed. And wow, I can be a pretty mean person. I was drowning in self pity and self hate. I had given up. Then my son got hurt. For weeks I spent hours at the hospital. I am truly blessed to have a strong husband and a strong family in our children. Everyone pulled together and made sacrifices to ensure our oldest would make a great recovery. We are still on this road but now there is a new challenge. Last year I trained with my son because he was a track runner and wanted to surpass anyone’s expectations. He made his school, and his family, proud when he came in 7th place for the city! The challenge? His physiotherapist was my therapist. Every exercise she teaches him she tells him he can do better than momma. A little healthy competition can go a long way in motivating people. Especially when he likes to brag that he can run around the block three times before I can make it once. I like to tell him, “slow and steady wins the race.” His response? “Not when you race me!” So, I made a choice. I need to be there for my son in his time of need. During his healing. He is determined to make gold next year because he will miss out this year. He also wants to do some crazy Spartan competition thing. I need a head start! He was already surpassing my abilities and it won’t take him long to do so again! And, I really, really, want to be able to fit into my pretty clothes. I know that exercise alone, or diet alone, is not enough for me to meet my goals. I know that I need to make a lifestyle change. I invite you to join me in this journey. Maybe you want to make similar changes to your life. Maybe you would like to simply support and encourage me and my son. Maybe you have already made this journey and can provide us with advice. Whatever your reason, through this blog you are welcome. I am on my third week of cleaning up my diet and the first week of reintroducing my workouts. It isn’t easy. But, I made a choice. There are no excuses better than the reason I am doing this in the first place. I am doing this so I can show off to my husband in my pretty clothes with confidence. I am doing this so I can be there for my son during his healing and help him meet, and surpass, his goals. (c) Rachel Rennie
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