Fit And 40

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday September 9, 2004

Carolyn Keating

I finally get it! It is something I have known for most of my adult life, but for various reasons I chose to ignore until now. Maybe the catalyst for all this was turning 40, or maybe just accepting the cold hard facts.

So what was this revelation? Exercise!

The only exercise I could ever be bothered to do was walking. This, in combination with dieting, always resulted in a weight loss - until I stopped walking and resumed my normal eating habits. So how can I be confident that I can now lose this weight and not regain it?

There are two answers. First, as I stated in the beginning, I finally get it. It has finally sunk in that I cannot spend the rest of my life as a couch potato.

All this was made even clearer when a recent article on health listed all the conditions that overweight people expose themselves to, and how merely incorporating some exercise into one's daily routine can reduce the risk.

By consciously being lazy, tired, too busy - or whatever excuse you want to use - you are knowingly increasing the chances of succumbing to a less healthier, not to mention shorter, life. How many of us know how beneficial exercise can be, yet like me, could not be bothered to do anything about it?

As to my circumstances, why now? Many years ago, I swore I would not be fat and 40, but that's how it turned out. Then I told myself that I am 40 for the whole year, so there was still time to do something about it.

Being healthier takes effort and I had to find a place for exercise in my daily routine. I work part-time, so for the first time in my life I joined a gym. My only regret is that I didn't do it 20 years ago. I had the idea that there would be beautiful bodies in skimpy outfits and I'd be intimidated by all the equipment. How wrong I was. I now go three times a week, same days, same time, as part of my daily routine. I don't love it, nor do I hate it. I just do it. I also walk in the morning, and, even more surprisingly, the husband has joined me.

Six months along, I am 12 kilograms lighter. It has been a gradual weight loss, probably due to the fact that I am not on a diet. Which leads me to the second reason I shall not fail this time.

When you analyse what a diet is, no wonder the failure rate is so high. Basically, you consume very little, avoid eating anything nice and then once the diet is over, it's back to the old eating habits.

I am not on a diet, but I did have to assess what I was eating. It was never a question of unhealthy eating. I ate very little junk food or take-aways; the change I made was in the portion sizes. I was simply eating too much.

I also had to learn to say no. I have accepted that I can't just eat whatever I want. I am still able to enjoy most things, just in smaller amounts. I can enjoy the taste and do not suffer from any sense of deprivation.

Willpower is required, but I am learning that this is a lifestyle change, and that strength of mind will eventually play a lesser role.

I honestly believe this is a new me and I will be looking great by Christmas. But it does not end there. It can never end - this is forever.

I merely go on to the next phase of my life, which is learning how to maintain my weight. I cannot quit just because I eventually reach my target weight. By then, it will all be about maintaining fitness.

© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald

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