You might have noticed quite a few posts in my little corner of the internet which revolve around my somewhat failed attempts to improve my fitness. There are many reasons why I decided to get fit. Not least because I could feel myself becoming physically less able to do the simplest of things. Panting after climbing the stairs made me feel embarrassed. As a teenager/young adult walking was something that I did daily, but a few years ago I found myself struggling with that.
The Turning Point
Last year I found that I was at my highest weight, and also at my least fit. I struggled to keep up with Todd when walking around lakes or rambling through the Peak District. I used to be able to run 5 kilometres, but I’d started struggling to manage even a mile. Coupled with some information I found out about my PCOS, I decided I needed to sit back and focus on my health.
Since June 2018 I have been to the gym every week (except christmas week where it closed at 5:30pm…. People still have to work and want to exercise on the 28th people!) and that has gone a long way to improving my overall fitness. But I didn’t feel like I was managing to get fit, not fully. To make myself feel like I did 5 years ago, I picked up running again. I joined my local Park Run group and started going on a Saturday morning. And it helped! I could keep up with Todd when we went for a walk, and have a conversation without losing my breath. Baby steps but it was motivation. I was feeling better.
I’ve even set up a separate instagram account to help keep a track of my changes. Yep it does contain actual weight loss information, but it’s the progress pictures that I am loving.
Cue Disaster
Just before Christmas I was hit with a major issue. The tearing of my Vasta Medialis (the muscle that run up your inner/front thigh). No running for 6 weeks, and struggling to walk. I still went to the gym, but had to focus on my arms, as all activities involving using my legs was out of the window. I tried, and was unable to walk for a few days. Cooling gel and support bandages were about as useful as a chocolate fireguard as well.
I am a little more recovered now, but I am still struggling to do too much that works my thigh muscles. Because of this, I decided a few weeks ago that I need to make a change with my diet. And not by going on a crazy diet. Just looking at what I’m eating and reducing portion sizes.
Does Changing Your Diet Help You Get Fit?
Honestly, I don’t think it helps you to get fit. Not really. For me, changing what I’m eating and how much I’m eating is to help me until I’m able to exercise at my full capacity again. I don’t want to find myself slipping backwards, and without the running I know that I won’t burn through as much as before.
But I don’t want to fall into a fad of cutting out food groups, or starving myself. The best plan for me is to change my habits. You may have seen my tweet from a few weeks ago where I asked how to make a salad taste nice. I’ll hold my hands up, I dislike salad. I don’t see the point in it. I can see the benefits but it doesn’t taste good and a pizza is so much better! But I have started to have salad. To try and fill me up so I don’t snack as much. It’s helping me to make the small changes that I need.
I’ve still got a long way to go to get to the point I want to. I swear I will be able to do 5km in less than 30 minutes one day! To make sure I get there, I’m going to continue making small changes that will have a big impact on my life, health and fitness.
Hasta la fuego
