Shape Up

My “come what may” approach to health led me to picture myself as a 70-year-old with a stooped posture and a limp trying to cross the street before the light changes; or staying home watching TV, instead of at the beach taking pictures of seagulls because I’m too sick to put some decent clothes on. Ugh! That last part made me cringe. I aim to enjoy those later years still able to ride my bike and travel anywhere in the world without having to take a bag full of maintenance medications. 

Six years ago, I made changes to the way I took care of my body because I don’t want to be that 70-year-old who spends more time in hospitals and nursing homes instead of on planes or trains going from one adventure to the next. However, the beginnings of this “journey” was anything but easy. It was painful. My thought process went something along these lines: “What do you mean eat less bread? No cheese? Are you kidding me? How about ramen? Surely I can eat that! I am not giving up ice cream, no siree! Burgers and french fries are bad? Are you serious? What’s wrong with pizza? I can get a veggie slice! No sugar at all? That’s torture!”

But I did it! However, in addition to choosing more vegetables, fruits, seafood, and lean meat, I still eat whatever I want (because I’m a rebel and I don’t always do things the way they should be done), just less. Portion control does help. Commercialism had us convinced that we need to supersize everything to get the most bang out of our hard-earned dollar. But our bodies don’t need a lot of food to function, unless we lift tons of bricks or run marathons for a living. Think quality instead of quantity.

People think that I lost weight because I starve myself. You could only starve yourself for so long. You certainly wouldn’t be able to do it for 6 years. Finding a healthy lifestyle that suits you is like finding a husband. You need something that you could commit to for the long haul. That’s why 30-day weight loss programs don’t work because health is a result of good choices over a sustained period of time. 

Exercise was a more challenging monster to conquer. I don’t mind outdoor physical activities. With the exception of running a marathon, you could invite me to go on a walking tour, a cross-country hike, or climb mountains and I would love you for it. In fact, when it’s not cold outside, I bike for hours with my friends. My legs might kill me after but I’m still a happy camper. Just don’t ask me to spend an hour everyday on a treadmill or any type of equipment in a gym filled with sweaty people because my eyes would glaze over (they might even roll). 

Yes, it was a struggle to start a daily exercise regimen. I told myself that I don’t need to do extra strengthening or more cardiovascular activities after I sweat my butt off with 1- to 7-year-olds all day. Practicing pediatrics, after all, is a workout in itself. I knew it was just my laziness talking because I’d rather read a book than do leg lifts or planks. But I did them anyway, albeit grudgingly. 

I do fall off the wagon every now and then, especially on vacations when I tend to binge on every delicious thing that I see and have no desire to exercise (because it’s work and you don’t work on vacation!). On my last trip to The Philippines I gained 6 lbs in 3 weeks because I was either at a coffee shop wolfing down a salted caramel cake while catching up with an old friend, at the beach munching on chips and sweets with my niece and nephews, or trying out a new restaurant with the family. 

The moment you gain a little weight back, it’s tempting to allow yourself to continue down that binge-eating route. That’s why it is extremely important to assess your reasons for wanting to lose weight. Is it because you want to impress a man? To fit into your summer clothes? To keep up with your kids/grandkids/nephews/nieces? To feel better about yourself? To be a better steward of the body that God has given you? There are no right or wrong answers and no one can judge you for the reasons you have. The main thing is, you pick something that would encourage you to make a lifestyle change instead of following a temporary diet plan. 

We only live once and wrong choices could impact how much we get out of it. Living a life of total abandon, especially in the context of health, only sounds good on paper. So refuse that second serving, say no to that other slice of chocolate cake, and walk that last mile instead of waiting for the bus. 

Cliche though it may be but health is wealth. It’s easier to travel and enjoy the world with the people you love without that “extra baggage”. 

Ah, NYC! You make early morning workouts worth getting up for.

P.S. Be mindful, though, that you don’t overdo your weight loss journey. Check out the CDC’s BMI calculator and determine your healthy weight range based on your age and height. Also check your body fat percentage to find out if you have the right amount for your physiological needs.