Yes, I am fat. I have struggled with my weight my whole life. Knowing what I know now, I wish that I had figured out how happy keeping moving makes me years ago.
A few weeks ago someone asked me what exercise I did. I answered that I jumped on my mini trampoline. You could actually see the images in her mind as she tried to visualise me on a trampoline. It is not that I jump up and try touch the ceiling – what I do could probably be defined as jogging in one place. With the huge benefit of less pressure on my arthritic joints. (I previously wrote about the benefits of rebounding (trampoline jumping) here.)
My biggest fear
I am afraid of loosing my mobility. In fact, I have lost some already and have issues with balance and pain when walking. I use a stick for any distance, or in areas where I am unfamiliar. At first, I was embarrassed, and ashamed that I needed a stick to walk. In Manchester with my son and I asked him – do you mind that I need a stick to walk? His answer (he is very straightforward): ‘At least when you walk with Stan (the stick) you walk faster.’ To be honest at least when I walk with a stick I get out and do it!
Anchoring habits
I knew I had to get moving and at the same time I knew that I needed to incorporate exercise into my daily routine in a way that I would enjoy it and that it would become a habit. When I get up in the morning, my first thought is tea, and then breakfast as I have a number of medications to take that need food. The next thing I would do is write my journal.
In order to incorporate exercise effectively I decided to anchor my trampoline sessions to these two activities. It is no fun jumping on a full stomach, so first thing in the morning I come downstairs and straight onto the trampoline. Sometimes I jump to breakfast TV and other times set up a YouTube concert to inspire me. By doing this first, I get it done and am rewarded with breakfast and some quiet time with my journal afterwards.
What to wear to exercise?
For many years I used the excuse of not having workout gear. Thankfully times have changed and there is a great range of exercise gear at companies like Oxendales in all sizes. The truth is that you don’t need special clothes to jump at home. Just be comfortable and wear a good bra!
Footwear is another matter. It is really important to look after your feet – especially as you get older and most exercise requires good supportive and comfortable footwear. I am delighted with these blue grey shoes gifted to me by Hotter. I could walk for miles in them, and the extra bonus is that they look great with jeans or jeggings. They haven’t been off my feet since they arrived.
My fab footwear are called Flow Shoes and are lightweight, flexible and trendy. They come in three colours – Sky Blue (my choice), black and pebble grey.
Check out their range online at www.hotter.com. They have a wide range of sizes and widths and a superb delivery service.
Although this is a sponsored post and the shoes were gifted to me, the story is my own. I hope to share more episodes of my health and fitness journey with you here.
Thanks for reading – I am off to jump! Yes, fat people can exercise.
Kerry xx
