Spring Training

with Charlene Adam

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• Fitness can be fun

  06/28/2010 9:40 AM

  Spring training has forced me to think about the role fitness plays in my life.

  I’d always thought the main reason to train was to look good in a dress or prepare for a wedding. It’s the reason I got into shape about 10 years ago and likely the reason I had to lose again.

  As we age, the will to race a friend up a hill to be king of the castle disappears. Instead, we worry about how clean our castle is or whether we can pay it off. Maybe it’s why so many of us face weight issues in our lives. We forget to move for the sake of having fun.

  It’s odd, too. We recognize the merit of fitness. Parents see it as a vital part of our lives’-for our kids lives, that is.

  For my husband and me, it’s always been important to allow our kids to play some form of sport to remain healthy. But I’d forgotten to follow that same advice for myself. How could I expect my kids to follow me when the only path I led them to was toward the television?

  As I continue with my personal fitness goals, a larger question looms: How do I ensure my kids continue move with me? While we adults enjoy weights, stairs or fitness classes, kids enjoy games or sports. I’d forgotten to play with my kids. This is something I want to change.

  I was reminded about the concept a few weeks ago. My daughter had been invited to attend the sport awards ceremony for her high school. She expected a participation award. While I waited to hear her name, I was shocked to discover that one student participated in seven school sports. I can barely name seven sports, let alone play them. It was impressive.

  Before I started my program I complained that I didn’t have time for fitness.

  While the expression – you have to make time - seems trite, it’s true.

  One of the strategies I’ve devised for me to make time for exercise generated out of my daughter’s award ceremony. She won the coaches award for soccer. While I’m thoroughly proud of her, I realized it has little to do with my encouragement. When she was little I had her twin sisters to raise, too. This meant I was exhausted just thinking about the things I had to do. The word play was something for my kids and them alone.

  As a kid, I’d always loved to play sports or games. My parents always had something on the go. Even when they partied- we’d move. There’d be food and spirits, but loads of bocce, lawn darts or badminton.

  I now know what to do this summer. My husband and I have to get our kids playing with something that doesn’t have an electrical cord attached. To accomplish this, we all have to move.

  Aside from playing games, I’m also going to invite my teen to GoodLife fitness. The gym has a free fitness program for teens 14-17 year olds. All you need do is register online and bring them down for the first visit.

  Any time a parent can get their kids to move during the day seems like a good idea. They’ll have less time to mope or get in trouble. Now if only GoodLife could teach them to make beds and do dishes.

  As I sign off on my last blog, I’d like to thank readers for following the first part of my fitness journey. Your suggestions helped make me move, but they also moved me.

  char.adam@mts.net twitter.com/Charpspetpage

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• Time to train

  06/11/2010 1:09 PM

  I’ve hit the wall; I knew it would happen. Those who are familiar with weight lose fear that point in their health regimes where the weight clings to our bodies like a toddler who’s just seen a mascot.

  My home scale clocks me at a loss of approximately 15 pounds. Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy to be rid of them; my shorts are too- there’s only so far elastic can stretch. This doesn’t mean I finished.

  Excuses are just that – excuses; but this weekend offered a few real life set- backs that don’t seem to be found on the set of The Biggest Loser.

  A good friend of mine turned 50 and had a wonderful get together with all sorts of goodies; including my nemeses – wine and bread- like foods. As I avoided the carbohydrates, people were really kind. I came home with a few recipes to try. Still, it’s difficult to write down ingredients when you’re drooling over cabbage rolls and cake. Thankfully, one recipe included just three items which involved Laughing Cow cheese – even I couldn’t forget that one.

  Saturday was a work out write off. Family obligations filled the day.

  However, Sunday was different. Indulgence wasn’t the roadblock – a unique experience thwarted progress. My twin girls were cast as extras for the movie Faces in the Crowd with Mila Jovovich (a name that seems to give some as much difficulty pronouncing as does the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull). You’ve likely read a thing or two about the plot of the thriller; it involves face blindness, which is a real disorder that prevents people from recognizing the discernable differences between individuals’ faces. Because my girls are younger than 15 years old, a guardian was required on set for the entire day. If you’ve seen Jovovich, then you know why I quickly volunteered to serve as guardian before my husband got the chance to.

  It was a great experience for the girls, they really enjoyed the day. However, it did not serve my program well. Much of extra work involves patience; you wait for hours, but are expected to whip into action when called. Guardians, however, aren’t required to whip into any form of action – they sit.

  I had expected to return home around eight or nine; I was going to take Bella on her walk thereafter. We stepped in the door around ten in the evening. All of us were zonked. It was the first time I wasn’t forced to nag my girls to put out the light (if any directors are reading this, I’d like my twins to work more often – just to get them to sleep without a fight).

  Unfortunately, despite the huge lunch and various snacks provided, I couldn’t eat much of what they offered. On the drive home I was tempted to snack on my purse. Seconds after I walked in the door, I consumed about 500 calories worth of food. It’s the worst time of the day to eat, I know; but I had work to finish that evening, and the growls from my stomach could have awakened people sleeping in Florida.

  Last weekend is an example of why this is the perfect time to start the next phase of my regime. Tuesday, I’m scheduled to begin with GoodLife Fitness personal trainer, Silvio Fava. He’s promised to put me through the wringer. I’m nervous. If he does what he’s threatened, I suspect he’s going to make me wish I had a twin with whom I could switch places. Wish me luck!

  char.adam@mts.net

  twitter.com/charspetpage

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• It's not Everest, but it's something

  06/1/2010 1:35 PM

  Until last weekend, I was plugging along with my health program. Then I got a cold and felt like dirt.

  I didn't want to curtail my training, so I contacted Karen Goodale, manager of Kenaston GoodLife Fitness, to ask her advice. It was odd phoning another adult to ask if I should skip workouts; it felt like I was back in high school making excuses to the principal for missing a math test.

  Goodale was kind, though. Her advice was sage. She said, "Take care of yourself." She went on to explain that exercising while ill likely wouldn't offer me a good workout anyway. I was to rest, walk my dog if the weather was dry and do light stretching.

  To ensure that I didn't pile weight on what would be a relatively sedentary body, I kept my calories low. I even checked the calorie count on the Neo Citran I planned to take.

  While I was sniffing and checking the long big list of emails (which I didn't have the energy to return), I noticed a news story sent to me by > a good friend in Edmonton. Her news clip noted that a former high school classmate, Laval St. Germaine, had just climbed Mount Everest -- without oxygen.

  St. Germaine was great in English class, nice looking and an excellent archer. I'm not sure why I remember things like this, yet forget where I put the mail. That being said, St. Germaine reminded me that being in my > 40s doesn't mean it's time to hang up my exercise goals.

  As I struggle to get a waist size smaller than my father's, I marvel at how someone my age could climb Everest. A few weeks ago, I could barely climb the stairs. St. Germaine trained for years. I suppose that answers my question

  While I admit that Everest will never be in my cards (I'm a klutz, there's not a Sherpa guide alive willing to risk taking me) I respect those who have placed their sights that high. My goal is a little smaller; I hope to have the stamina to keep up with my kids. It's starting to come. I've gone for bike rides with my girls, and I no longer huff and puff. For the most part, my knees don't crack like an empty pop bottle with my every move.

  Going through this process has been helpful. People offering tips make me feel that I'm not alone. And I'd especially like to thank those who offered words of support at my aunt's funeral a few weeks ago. It really does help knowing others are cheering me on.

  St. Germaine has also inspired me to take my program to the next level. Now that I'm somewhat healthy, and no longer feel like I'm walking through fog, I'll contact my trainer, Silvo Fava. I'm sure he'll get me working at a more effective level.

  By the time summer hits, I want my kids to be hoping they can keep up with me.

  char.adam@mts.net
  twitter.com/charspetpage

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