Mission Fit Possible

By now, I think we all know the secret to being healthy and fit.

Here’s a hint: it’s not a secret.

Eat healthily and be physically active. Seems simple enough, right?

So if it’s common knowledge and fairly straightforward, why is it so difficult to attain? My theory: we’re either too busy, or too lazy to incorporate healthy foods and regular exercise into our daily lives. While I wouldn’t dare say that I’m not busy, I think my problem is lacking consistent motivation. The thought of spending even half an hour on a treadmill is enough to make me tie myself to my ever-so comfortable couch.

So how do I plan to combat my lethargic tendencies?

Well if variety is the spice of life, I’ve got paprika in one hand and nutmeg in the other.

If I can incorporate an assortment of physical activities into my routine, I think I’ll have a fighting chance at keeping myself motivated.

I’ve recently taken to running outdoors; thankfully Vancouver’s climate is much more conducive than southern Ontario, and the diversity of the city makes for an entertaining run every time. I have joined a community yoga program that I attend 1-2 times/week, and I recently had my first encounter with the Grouse Grind. Needless to say, it was…well, enlightening. My plan is to do the Grind once a week, and if my first time was any indication, it will serve as a motivator for me to continue a regular fitness routine.

A little negative reinforcement goes a long way, right?

For years I had ascribed to the practice that I could lose weight and stay trim whenever I wanted. For exercise, I coached minor hockey for 8 years up to and including Midget level. I was on the ice with the team, 1 to 2 times a week, ten months a year. The odd golf game once a week occupied the other two months. During this time, I don’t recall ever having to be mindful of my diet per se.

Then three years ago, two things happened. My son stopped playing hockey and I turned 55.

I quickly learned that tactics such as abstinence from fried foods and those high in carbohydrates was not enough to lose weight anymore. While always recognizing the value and importance of exercise, it seemed harder somehow to incorporate it into my lifestyle. I was working longer hours with taking on new projects that I was enjoying.

However, I was also becoming frustrated with the fact that I was feeling winded after having walked only half way to a meeting in the north-eastern part of the campus.

It became readily apparent that if I wanted to maintain good health, I must take the steps necessary to reorganize my life to include regular exercise with a more conscientious approach to diet.  In order to accomplish these objectives,  I must formulate and work towards manageable goals with the same level of commitment I do for my job and my family. Someone once said that the hardest stage to surpass towards achieving something is getting started. That being said:  

The journey has begun.

Rick

There are some moments that just crystalize reality in my mind. One of those moments occurred on the Burrard Inlet on Saturday afternoon. My realization: my core muscles are made of jello. It’s a wonder I can stand upright. You may be wondering,”Patti, what on earth allowed you to arrive at this depth of insight into your physcial condition?”

“Well,” I answer, “I went sailing.”

Alot of time on a sailboat is spent attaining and maintaining balance. That requires alot of micro (and macro) movement to stay sort of upright. It was somewhere between Stanley Park and Kits Beach that I added a new goal to my list of goals…Build core muscles and flexibility. Heavens, what next?

This week my plan is:
1. Walk daily @ 6:00 am for 30 minutes.
2. Attend Aquasize three times.
3. Swim 1000 metres.

Til next time
P

Hi and welcome to our blog.  In these “pages” we will share with you, our UBC colleagues, real life attempts to incorporate fitness and adequate nutrition into already busy lives.  Like you, we have multiple demands and little energy for change (for those of you who ascribe to the “change theory”). Also like you, we know we want to get fit, be a healthy weight and enjoy delicious and nutritious food.

The idea for this blog came from our successful Healthy Workplace Initiative Program Fund (HWIP) proposal.   We have been given some funding to get more fit, improve our daily nutrition and maybe have fun in the process.  The objectives are measurable…we have already experienced the humbling associated with the fitness assessment and have begun to engage in fitness activities around campus and in the Lower Mainland.  

For the next six months, you will meet regular contributors during the week. We come from all walks of life but share two things in common….we work at the Department of Health, Safety and Environment and we want to be healthier.  We will be writing about our goals and how we tried to meet our weekly objectives.  We will try to describe the gut wrenching muscle aches and other emotional stings as well as the absolute exhilaration when we climb back up those tormenting 444 stairs from Wreck Beach without involving paramedics and stretchers. A guest blogger every Friday should keep things interesting and fresh. 

I hope you will share our triumphs and our struggles.  I hope we can provide a good laugh, a good cry and a snap shot into how change occurs (or perhaps doesn’t occur) in real life.  Thanks for coming along for the ride…Fasten your seat belts and return tables to the upright position…

Patti Parker