FALLING OFF THE WAGON

Hi, it’s Be Fit Dave here. Today I’m writing about "falling off the wagon."

I’m a Be Fit captain for session 9, "Bringin' Sexy Back" is the name of my team. In the midst of the program I became ill and incapacitated and unable to work or workout. Up until this point I had quit smoking for about 6 months and had been steadily working out for about a year.

The first 2 weeks of my absence weren't that bad, as I could not be out of bed for longer than about 10 minutes and was pretty much unable to eat. By week 3 I could be out of bed for about 4-6 hours before having to lie down and I was able to eat. At first I tried to eat healthy and follow the lessons learned from Be Fit but after about 2 days I went on an eating rampage partly because I was so depressed about my situation. The worst thing is at this time I also started smoking again.

Determined to get back to the shape that I was in when I left work, I immediately went back to my good eating habits upon return to my "normal" life. I also threw the patch on again. I worked for 2 days then had a day off, which was when I planned to return to the gym, I wanted to take it slowly so as not to have a relapse.

That Friday, I got up and went about my normal routine. As I was headed out to the gym, my MD called to check on how things were going. I told him that my days back at work went well and I was just headed out to the gym, to which he replied that he would rather I waited a couple of more days, and started back on Monday. He did say I could do some light cardio or something.

I was BUMMED but rather than get upset and depressed about having to wait 3 more days to get back into the gym, I threw on some sneakers and went outside and walked the beach, twice. I thought that would be better than picking up the food or cigs again.

I guess what I am trying to say is that when you have a set back or "fall off the wagon" - whatever "wagon" you may be on - the important thing is not give up on yourself. Pick yourself up off the ground, brush the dirt off and jump right back on that "wagon" again and again and again, until you finally get it right.

Remember you didn't learn these habits over night and you certainly won't break them over night either. Keep trying until you get it right. Also remember what broke you that time and make a contingency plan for if it happens again.
~ DGM

Activism is alive and well! By Marie G. Ferraro, ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor & CCRP Personal Trainer/Be Fit Coach

Midway through the Be Fit cycle, many participants are coming closer to the realization of their goals. In addition to net weight loss, inches are melting away from waists and hips. Muscles are forming in places where you didn’t know you had any! Your consistent efforts at strength training and cardio workouts will undoubtedly be reflected by decreases in blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. This is excellent news and bodes well for not only you, but also your family. After all, the status of your [improved] health benefits them directly too!

As most of you have discovered by now, exercise is energizing. Whether or not you’ve registered weight loss, you’re probably feeling less tired. Some of this energy could be attributed to changing your eating habits. For example, minimizing simple sugars and choosing low-glycemic carbs or monitoring saturated and trans-fat intake can impact your energy levels. Meditation, no matter which kind you practice, offers significant energy renewal as well. Daily walking and other cardio activities are invigorating and certainly elevate mood, most especially during our bleak New England winters.

Last, but not least the Be Fit Coaches guarantee that we can transform even the most sedentary couch potato into an exercise ‘activist.’ You might sigh and moan, kvetch and complain, but you all keep coming back for more! And who better to advocate for your health than you? Your participation and dedication thus far are commendable and your midpoint results are noteworthy. Congratulations to each of you.