Every Friday, WordPress offers up a writing prompt. You can see today’s right above this paragraph and the link will take you to other WordPress bloggers that have answered the question. I thought it might be fun to start answering these. If you have a question or prompt you’d like me to answer, let me know in the comments and I’ll answer.
Now, on with my answer!
Exercising was not something I grew up doing. Not because I was lazy, but because of my congenital heart defects and pacemaker. I was exempt from most of PE and I couldn’t play sports. Back in those days, the school of thought was that it would overtire an already weak heart. Now the approach is much different, which is a good thing.
I think the first fitness “routine” I started was while in college. I was exempt from the active portions of taking a physical education course (but took the written portion), so that didn’t get me moving. However, the apartment I lived in for the last three years of college gave renters a free membership to Gold’s Gym. The local gym had a pool as well as the usual gym equipment. I never touched any of it, except the pool.
They offered a water aerobics class for members with medical conditions. Mostly that meant older folks with arthritis or other mobility issues. My roommate and I were by far the youngest participants. I was grateful my roommate agreed to do this particular class with me instead of the “regular” class that met after ours. That one looked intense and I knew I’d never keep up.
Having a class and the accountability of someone to go with kept me consistent. I loved working out in the water. Unfortunately, once I graduated and moved out of that apartment, I no longer had access to a pool with classes.
Exercise fell to the wayside as I adjusted, first to being a responsible and working adult, then to being married and working on my master’s degree while still working. Not only that, but my heart health was steadily declining. I had open heart surgery to replace a valve, but even that did not improve my stamina. Walking from the parking lot to my classroom required a rest along the way. Exercise was the last thing on my mind when simple everyday living was so difficult.
Eventually doctors decided to try implanting a bi-ventricular defibrillator to sync up my right and left ventricles. The hope was that it would improve my cardiac output.
And boy did it! I had more energy than I had ever had before. I was more active in some ways, but still very much in a sedentary mindset from the 30 previous years.
Then my kids were born and the exercise I got was taking care of twins. Only three months after they were born my energy dipped. My doctor put me on a new medication to keep my heart from needlessly racing when I would pick either child up. Around that same time, my husband had back surgery.
I don’t completely recall the timeline, but after he had recovered, he decided to work on getting fit. He did a couch to 5K and started signing up for obstacle course races. He wanted to set an active example for our kids as well as finding fun ways to lose weight.
I watched him having fun at these runs and I was jealous. I’d never even considered that I’d be able to do one, but I wanted to try. I cleared it with my cardiologist to do a couch to 5K program and enrolled in Run for God at my church. I was incredibly slow, especially compared to all of the other people in the class, but I found my endurance increasing. Sure, I took 45 minutes to complete a 5K, but I ran all of those 45 minutes!
It felt great and my best friend at the time was a huge cheerleader for me. I joined a gym and she showed me how to use the equipment. I worked out on my own but felt there must be more I could do.
I got a personal trainer and met with him twice a week. He built my stamina and my strength. He had me running up and down the stairs, carrying a sandbag! Climbing one flight of stairs in the past had left me breathless. I was amazed at what I was now able to do!
Eventually he moved on and I got a new trainer, but we didn’t click nearly as well. My friend had become a trainer for Camp Gladiator, so I decided to take my workouts outside. I found a time and location that worked within my schedule, and it became a part of my routine. I discovered that getting up early to exercise before starting my day worked best for me. I joked that I needed to work out before my brain was awake enough to make excuses.
I’ve continued to find this to be true. I’m not using Camp Gladiator anymore, but I did discover that our city’s Natatorium has aqua classes. I’ve been attending the M/W/F deep water class for several years now and it really has become a routine. Even though I’ve had months where I was sick or busy or couldn’t go for one reason or another, I’ve always gone back. It’s on my calendar and I try my very best to not schedule anything over it. I’ve gotten to know the instructor and several of the regulars and enjoy chatting before or after class.
Again, it’s an early class, which means it’s the first thing I do after my kids have left for school. I’ve learned that I need that structure. I need a consistent day and time and nothing scheduled beforehand that could potentially prevent me from my workout.
This morning I really didn’t want to go. I was tired and would have much preferred to go back to bed after the kids left. I didn’t let myself. I got my grumpy butt to the Natatorium and got in the water. I was kind to the people that said hello but didn’t feel like chatting. I’m not sure if I was giving off “leave me alone” vibes but no one tried to strike up conversation. I’m proud of myself for showing up, even though I really didn’t want to. This is why a routine is so critical for me. If it wasn’t at a set time that couldn’t be moved, I would have “later”ed the whole day away.
I may not be in the same shape I was in pre-Covid but I am trying my best to keep going. I’m grateful for my husband’s example that pushed me to even try. I might not be able to run for 45 minutes straight anymore, but I can tread water for an entire 50 minute class!
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