Baby Steps -- Pay Attention!

Do you remember that day?...or maybe it hasn't happened to you yet.

It's the day that you wake up, look in the mirror and don't recognize the person looking back at you.

It is the day that happened to me a little over two years ago. Over the edge of 40--and heading towards the hump--I looked at myself and didn't like what I saw. O.k. the face was aging, that is to be expected. It was that worn out, unhappy, blank look that scared me. Who was this person and why was she here? I looked down at my body. Where had the once thin (if not toned) woman gone? My body had always been good to me. It bore two wonderful children--a boy who had just reached teenager status and a sweet young girl finishing her kindergarten year. It brought me where I wanted to go and did what I instructed it to do. Though not always as graceful as I would like--and often achy in parts, it served me well. What had I given it in return? Not much. Neglect.

It was in that moment of time that I, for the first time in years, really paid attention to myself. And I didn't like what I saw. I didn't like how I had allowed my body to reach it's current state. I felt weak. I felt hopeless. I felt ugly. I felt old.

But that moment, as painful as it was, changed me forever. I began to really pay attention to myself and not just everyone around me. I started paying attention to what I ate--how much sugar--how few grains & vegetables. I paid attention to how little I exercised--and how much I needed to. I paid attention to how poorly I felt when I woke up in the morning. I paid attention to what size clothing I was wearing (too big for my liking). I paid attention to how my knees hurt when I squatted down and how hard it was to get back up.

And all that attention paid off.

Less than two years later I am happy to say that I am a new woman (though still and always will be a work in progress). I'll never be back to the woman of my youth, but that's o.k. I'm finally happy with my body (as much as anyone can be, I'm far from perfect) and although I'm battling a couple of injuries from years of neglect I feel stronger than ever. My body, although different than it once was on the outside, is fitter and healthier than ever.

And it all came from paying attention--for that one moment in time, which led to another, and another, and another. And it came from baby steps, lots of little ones, which have led to me leading a healthier lifestyle.

And most of all, it led me to an extremely gratifying career as a Personal Trainer. A career I never in a million years would have imagined for myself (thank you Cody). It's a story for another post but I can say that it is the most fulfilling career that I would never have chosen for myself :).

Which leads me to explain the purpose of this blog. I'm starting it in the hopes that I can share my experiences and new-found knowledge to help others find a path to their own personal fitness.

I want to share and discuss baby steps that you can take to reach those goals. I will share tips and tricks and exercise strategies. You will soon know the importance and enjoyment! of strength training (if you don't already). Strength training can be intimidating at first but it is the key to growing old gracefully and controlling your weight. If I can do it--anyone can! My goal is to have everyone hoisting some weight--so soon there will be a little less of your own.

And the first step I'd like you to take is (who would have seen this coming?)--to start paying attention to yourself. Take a good look in the mirror. Are you happy with what you see? I'm not talking about lines or age spots, wrinkles or sags. I'm talking about the life in your eyes, the look of health. Do you recognize yourself? Have you let everyone and everything around you take over you? It's time to get back to you.

And you will. And I will try to help.

Thanks for paying attention.

Joanne