Getting Started

I have been doing Nerd Fitness consistently workouts for about a month now. I use “consistently” here to mean “at least twice a week.” This isn’t going to turn into a health blog. I’m not sure how I’d describe the current theme of this blog, but it will not be shifting into descriptions of diets and workouts. But since I’m investing in this journey, I figured I might as well document it and we’ll start with the Mindset quests from Nerd Fitness Academy.

I was not an athletic child, but I stayed moderately healthy by riding my bike, exploring the park, and walking everywhere I needed to go. For a time I was obsessed with my Razor Scooter and developed very strong leg muscles exclusively on my left side. Plus there was the ever joyful experience of school gym classes and fitness tests. But in middle school, I started spending summers in front of the television, Playstation, and books so I lost what little muscle tone I had. In high school, I continued this downward trend by spending more time reading comic books than walking outdoors. As an adult there have been times I’ve gotten closer to being “in shape,” but it’s always been temporary and the results never survived winter apathy.

What does “in shape” even mean? It seems like the easiest phrase when I mean “working out with specific goals” but I dislike the connotation that there’s a correct “shape” one must be in. Can I choose my shape? I want to be a spiral.

My most recent attempts at getting in shape involved the Pokemon Go craze that hit right when I was laid off from my job in 2016. I did my requisite 10,000 steps each day (thanks, Fitbit) and leveled up in the game. It’s easier to make healthy choices when you have unlimited free time. More recently I started going to the gym and even took a Self-Defense class at the local police department this past fall. None of these activities ever became consistent habits, and that’s where I keep failing. I don’t just need to get into a shape, I need to get into the habit of being healthy.

I canceled my gym membership early this spring. I hadn’t gone all winter and I couldn’t keep absorbing the cost. I waited two months and then paid the one time fee for Nerd Fitness Academy and Nerd Fitness Yoga. I haven’t used the yoga yet, but I’m excited by the opportunity. Sometimes the Quests seem a bit hokey, but I’m committed to doing things differently this time so I’m trying things their way.

That is how I came to be writing “My Big Why”.

Why did I spend my hard earned money to be part of this class? I’ve used the Beginner Bodyweight workout as a jumping off point every time I went from sedentary back to exercising, so I recognize that Nerd Fitness works for me. I know I need structure in order to move forward, and I *LOVE* the idea of leveling up RPG style. But knowing why Nerd Fitness is a good fit for me isn’t the same as having a “why” that will keep me coming back to exercise when life gets busy.

Level One of my “why” is that I know that I should be exercising and eating healthy. I should be taking better care of myself, and I know I can’t do it alone because I have tried. My family has many unhealthy trends that I don’t want to see myself following. I don’t want to be the sort of person that spends more free time in front of a screen than getting fresh air; the couch to kitchen lifestyle is not for me. In addition, I would be lying by omission if I didn’t include vanity as a reason for caring about my “shape.” I may not ascribe to the idea that one body type is superior to another, but there are parts of me that are more rounded than sculpted and I’d like to change that. I want to look in the mirror and enjoy what I see.  

Level Two explanations for my choice include the way that being healthy makes me feel. It’s easier to notice with food, but I feel better overall when I’m taking care of myself. If I eat healthy for a few days and then “cheat,” it does not feel good. I have pretty close to zero willpower to resist chocolate and other indulgences, but I can absolutely tell that consuming them is detrimental from the way my body feels afterward. Chocolate is my kryptonite. When I’m working out I can do more fun activities for longer periods of time.

My Level Three “why” is that I am a more competent person when I am taking care of my health. I don’t need to ask anyone’s help to open a jar or pick things up/put them down. Sure, looking good (based upon current societal standards) in the mirror is nice, but it’s not a driving force. The way being healthy feels, as well as the larger list of things I can do (kayaking, climbing, hiking) are much more important to me. All I have to remember for my “why” is the way it feels to stretch after a long day of activities and have my muscles shifting under my skin like powerful tools at my disposal.

So, let’s get down to business.

What are the big picture goals for my health for the next few months?

They don’t set a time frame for these goals, but I’m going to say before the end of the year I’d like to be a lot closer to completing them:

 

• I’m the type of person that eats healthy meals 3 days of the week.
• I plan meals ahead of time. I consume less sugar and junk food.
• I can bare my belly without being embarrassed by it.
• I am stronger and don’t need to do modifications in my workouts in order to complete them. I can do unassisted push-ups and pull-ups.
• I have a consistent workout regime that I enjoy.
• I am up early enough to do activities around the house before leaving for work.
• I walk every day and reach my step goals.

Smaller goal posts for July:

• I will cook at least one healthy meal a week and I will cut back on sugar.
• I will workout at least 2x a week, including assisted push-ups and dumbbell rows.
• I will walk an extra 5 minutes every day.
• This week I will wake up ten minutes earlier than usual.