Are you training for something? Yes, I'm training for life

I am going to the gym more. Yes I workout at home, yes I have some equipment at home but I do not have heavy weights, which is what I am working towards, lifting heavy. 

On Wednesday one of the trainers who had never seen me work out before actually asked whether I was a professional athlete when I finished working out, I said no, it's for fitness. There was a lady there that day who was also present today...while I was doing my last set of push up to punches she came over and looked at me in puzzlement...."I have to ask, are you training for something?"....me, puffing, panting and spitting sweat :-) "nope"....but I never have good comebacks when asked a question. Later on, I thought to myself....I should have said I am training for life. 

Yes, training for life. 

I have said it before, finding me time keeps me sane with everything else that happens. When you spend the rest of your day taking care of others, you need some time to take care of you. I have never been much of a fancy dresser, I don't do my hair up, my nails are pretty plain, I am not into spas or massages, so my natural choice was exercise! 

Training for life

It takes an immense amount of self control and discipline to keep to the program. These are qualities that spill over to other aspects of your life. 

Training for life

Being healthy hopefully translates to running around with my toddler to her hearts' content. It means I do not get breathless running up a flight of stairs. 

I know you get it. It's not all about how good I am trying to look, it is an added plus, but there is so much more to pushing yourself, getting past the limits you thought were impossible to surpass. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

You don't notice them noticing you, but they do notice you

While running this morning, while leaving home with your gym bag, while walking into your local gym and getting your sweat on, you were not thinking about them, they were not on your mind as you went into beast mode, your mind was on you, as it should be, on being better than you were yesterday, you were having your 'me' time, they were noticing you having this 'me' time.

You are at a restaurant. You look through the menu and then when you are ready to order, you do. Except you decide to have your salad with a plain vinaigrette, your omelette dry, your steak with vegetables only. You skip on the soda, beer and wine, and order for water, or if you really want to party, make it sparkling. You don't notice them noticing you, but they do notice.

I never realised just how much living this lifestyle puts you on the spot usually when you decide to go against the grain, which should be the grain...am I making sense?

They started noticing the first time you started walking, saying she has no morale, she has no character, she/he will quit, and will remain overweight. What's the use of trying? They notice because they have not made that commitment, because your commitment is a sign of their own failure to do so, because they do not have the same courage to go running with all their jiggly bits jiggling, they notice because you are doing something out of the ordinary, and sometimes, especially this time, out of the ordinary is good.

When you decided not to drink that sugar loaded soda, they cried...but you have to enjoy life! Life was enjoyed before fizzy drinks made an appearance. They notice because they do not realise that sugar is an addiction, that subconsciously, they know that it is difficult to quit this addiction, and you have done it, and they notice. Some of them wish they were you, to have got past the craving, most of them think you are being a little too picky, you're not.

I am writing this post to let you know that I know you are noticed. And to let you know it is good to be noticed. Because that is the best way to be a role model, in your homes, in your schools, in your children's schools, in your work place, with your friends...there is no jealous possession of the secrets to health and well being.

Have an active day!

The success story that slim pills sellers tried to hijack

I have made many friends in this fitness journey and this is one of them...Nthenya. Recently, her before and after pictures which she posted in a fitness group were hijacked by weightloss supplement sales people (Magilim) and used to market their products on facebook. Shame on them. Here is her story.

BEFORE - 99 Kilograms. November 2012

"Everything I carried here went through my mouth. My weight was a culmination of bad eating and no exercise. I picked up bad eating habits when I went to boarding school. During the school holidays, I would go home and eat too much. My reasoning? I was "storing" food for when it wouldn't be available when I went back to school because the food at school was not tasty, it wasn't enough and often was not balanced. 

Then I went to university. Fries became my staple food. For the four years I was in campus I can count the days I did NOT eat fries. I would never miss terrific tuesdays (buy one pizza get one free) and wacky wednesdays (One burger get another free). 

Finally in October 2012 I made a decision that would change my life tremendously. That of losing weight and becoming healthy. I needed a push towards this though. I had some pain in my hip bone and went to see the doctor who told me I was too heavy for my age. 

So I started going to the gym and watching what I eat. The journey has not been easy. I have an on and off love affair with tasty, calorie-full, really shouldn't eat it foods but on a balance of scales, I eat more healthy than I don't, which is what matters. 

I had a gym instructor who is Bob Harper's evil twin. His taunts made me work harder. In December 2012 I started running. I could only do short distances at first. In April of this year (2013) I started running in earnest and my distance and timings improved. 

I am participating in my first half marathon (21kms) on the 14th of this month (September). My progress keeps me going, the way I feel keeps me going. I am happy, and I feel strong and content to face each new challenge. 

This is me at 74 kgs. A work in progress.