People who have always been fit have no idea what it’s like to struggle with fitness. Several different things have happened over the past few days which have really brought that home to me. I have been struggling to do a real pushup. Every day, I make more progress, but I’m still not doing it correctly. At dance class, the instructor tried to motivate me to do it better, but what she didn’t understand was that what I was doing showed progress! I simply can’t, yet, go all the way down and then lift myself back up, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been. It’s hard for the naturally fit to know how to communicate with those of us who struggle.
Now, too, the home workouts I’ve been following have taken an unfortunate turn. They used to be about striving to be your best, but lately, they’ve become focused on disordered eating and criticizing those who are less fit or those who have fallen off the new year’s fitness bandwagon. I feel like this is the wrong message to send. I don’t do this so I can feel superior to other people. I also don’t want to be extremely skinny or have a very low body fat percentage. I also don’t want to look at peanut butter as a once-a-week splurge. That’s not a path to health or a healthy relationship with food.
There is a need for a kinder, gentler movement and I would like to be part of it. I want to be part of a movement for everyone to enjoy exercise. I want to be part of a movement that says exercise is for everyone, not just those currently considered aesthetically pleasing (which, as we all know changes…)
I have a new project. A project and a goal. My project is to document my learning journey with my hula hoop. I just cleared and cleaned an area of my living room (which has awesome high ceilings) for the taping space. My goal is to decide which certification to take and become a certified hooping instructor. Everyone needs a hoop in his or her life! I probably wouldn’t have time to teach on an ongoing basis, but I would love to get good enough to do weekend hoop-ins or workshops. One of the reasons I’m documenting is so that I don’t forget what it’s like to be a beginner, so I can help figure out why people can’t get the hoop going. (I also want to make my very own montage. Everyone needs a montage!)
Right now I’m working on chest hooping. I hope to have chest and shoulder hooping mastered before I get my LED hoop from Astral Hoops (link opens in this window.) It should be another three weeks.
Tomorrow, I’m running the 5K associated with the Houston Marathon, and then I’m cheering Terzah on as she BQs! And I’m bringing hula hoops!
January 22nd, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Hula hooping is so much fun! I should try to do that!!!! Haven’t tried in years, but used to be very good at it. And pushups are HARD. I need to work on them more. I can crank out about 10 at a time. Then rest. I can do about 30 or so if I rest between 10s. I need to work on it more! But I am naturally strong with both arms and legs.
What do you mean when you say “the home workouts I’ve been following…?”
January 25th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
It’s the bodyrock.tv workouts. They used to have a different host and a different feel, but now it’s all about being thin and controlling. However, the old host has started a new workout called Zuzana’s Workout of the Day. They’re good workouts– quick and very effective!