Loving your body

[daughter]

We've been talking a lot about body images lately. What about health? Many of us are not in our 20s when you can get away with abusing the body and not be seriously affected(I'm being flippant here). Once the 30s creep up, the weight gain, fatigue, ache and illness seem to come a lot more often and easily.

The young isn't immune so to everyone, how are you maintaining your health? Have any of you had a health challenge that was a wake up call about taking care of your body? I'm talking from simply needing to lose weight so you're comfortable in your clothes to needing to walk regularly so you're not out of breath when you walk the three flight of steps to your desk at the office.

How are you loving your body?

Peace,

daughter

 

[The Nitelight]

I've never been in better shape.
Okay, that's not saying much.
But I've always been soft and a bit lazy.
My current job has me running around all day. This has increased my stamina and melted my gut away.

 

[Vinny]

Yes

Actually I know what you mean. I wasalways in great shape and when I started my college I abused my body with eating bad. After I worked at Ground Zero I took a look and did not like how I felt there physically and emotionally as well. So when I got home I started the Atkins diet and working out and am now 235 whch is the lowest I have been since the 9th grade and am back in great shape. I lost a total of 65 pounds since Sept 11th and am back in the military feeling the best I have in years.

 

[daughter]

WoW

Vinny--

Was it safe to lose so much so quickly? Congratulations. I'm on a mission myself. I was a gym bunny as my parents smirked throughout my 20s. I lived in the gym. Athlete through school. Taught aqua aerobics up till my 36th week pregnant. Now I can't tell you the last time I took an evening walk!

I'm one size bigger than I like and I miss the energy and disposition I have when I feel good physically. I haven't made any radical changes yet, but I am consciously thinking about what I put in my mouth again. I have a few months left on my gym membership and I'm getting off the duff in the morning to get re-acquainted with the treadmill.

Your story is inspiring. Kudos to you.

Peace,

daughter

 

[MissTaken]

I am pleased to say that I weigh less now than I did in college. (For those of you who aren't certain, college was nearly 18 years ago for me.) I have lost 56 pounds in a healthy manner and feel great.

I have been walking and eating properly. A good multi vitamin does wonders for your health as well as your energy.

As my "shape" evolves, so does the attention I pay to my body in an aesthetic sense. Scented bubble baths, shaving, lotions and manicures coupled with special care to my hair and make up helps to lift my spirits and pushes me through another day.

Why the sudden interest in my physical appearance? Self esteem. My self confidence has blossomed over the last year and I realize that I can be attractive, more and more so. Furthermore, I deserved to look good and feel well.

Of course, I sit here now in my favorite, dingy bathrobe, drinking my coffee and am considering whether or not to get dressed on this quiet Sunday.

 

[Aphrodisiac]

How are you loving your body?



Well I am in my late 20's and I think I weigh less then I did in high school but I have to say my weight does seem to stay @ an in between area.

The one thing I do want to do is get my body in some sort of order, I tend to @ times treat her bad. By not eating right and the worst thing is not drinking enough water. But I made myself a promise I would try to improve my body image. I walk ... so that is a start ... biking & running are kicking in a little later.

 

[Rambling Rose]

I am walking more...sometimes even just parking my car at the back of the lot instead of looking for a closer space. I drink water instead of soda or juice, and I eat when I am hungry and stop before I am full.

I started small and will work up to a more advanced fitness regimen soon. I had to start with the little decisions first. I am at a stage in my life when I am not only wanting to make some changes in my physical being but I am emotionally prepared to do it.

 

[Massive Grooves]

After my oldest daughter was born, I looked at myself and realized that I was really emarrassed at how I looked. I changed my diet, began lifting, and just started paying attention. It didn't take very long before I had lost 45 pounds, and I haven't looked at the scale since (nearly 5 years).

There is that point where metabolism really slows down and what I was able to get away with eating once doesn't work anymore. I'll be 30 this week and I feel that I'm in the best shape of my life.

 

[Astro]

I'll be honest, at 20 I am one of the younger people here on lit, however I am still in uni and abusing my body

I drink and smoke too much, but to try and avoid the belly I do the following:
Dont eat alot of junk food, mostly rice and pasta though not enough veg
My live 10 mins walk from uni and dont have a car. My lab is on the 5th floor and the lifts are too slow so I walk up and down 4 flights of stairs a couple of times a day.
I do sit-ups and have a set of weights for my upper body.
However I am still trying to go to the gym Its 30 mins walk away on it's own!

 

[riff]

I am 38.

I am CONVINCED, that the foundation of a healthy body is a healthy mind and spirit. One must love oneself. Be good to yourself! Love yourself.

When I start with that idea, the rest seems pretty simple.

I do want to add this however. I LOVE to drink. I like to drink scotch neat- no ICE, no WATER, no nothing. I can sit down with a bottle of scotch in front of me and put a serious dent in it drinking it straight and drink until pass out. And I'll be honest, I probably was doing a little too much of that.

BUT- in November, I started taking this medicine and you can have NO ALCOHOL while taking it. I have not had a drop of alcohol since November and I have to tell you that I can feel the difference. My body seems to be saying, "Hey, man! Thanks for the break! This is great!"

Sounds to me like limiting your alcohol intake is a great way to love your body.

If only I could quit smoking- I suffer horrendous smokers guilt. It's a humbling addiction.

There's all kinds of things you can do to love your body, but if you ask me the most important thing is to love yourself- your mind and heart. This is where it all begins.

 

[Vinny]

Yes

Actually being in the medical proffession, I have many Doctor friends that monitored me. I was just big. I have alot of muscle but grew a gut. SO I exercised everyday and I ate right. I got a check-up every 2 weeks and was healthy. I even passed the rigorous military physical at MEPS and am in great shape.

 

[FieryKitty]

I started exercising when I turned 30. Without realizing it I had packed on an extra 25-30 pounds in my twenties. One day someone made a comment to me that made me take a good look in the mirror. I started exercising - both cardio & weights - that week and over about two years I lost the extra flab.

I keep at it because now I can still eat whatever I want within reason and not gain weight, and it makes me feel great. If I go more than couple of days without it I get really cranky.

Oh, and there's a certain point in a workout when the buzz I get feels almost sexual

 

[Smilodon]

Daughter,

Thanks for the interesting thread.

I have recently recovered fom Me/fibromyalgia, which laid me low for about 13 months. During that time I was unable to exercise (and unable to walk/stand much of the time) so put on a lot of weight (although if course this was not my main concern...) But the most distressing thing, apart from the pain, was that I was unable to do normal stuff like shopping etc.

ME/fm are generally suffered by people who work too hard, push themselves etc, and that was certainly true of me. I am back at work now, doing a job I love, but pacing myself and making sure I take time out for me.

I have made a promise to myself that I will be active now that I am fully better (hooray!!!) But of course I am not doing exercise often enough despite that promise! There are too many other fun things to do!

Smiley