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Truth be told, I’ve become a little bored with Cycling class. Besides, it’s good to mix up the workout routine. I haven’t been in a pool in a couple of years. Very early on in my weight loss, get fit journey I used to take water aerobic classes. Actually, it was the first gym group class I took once I enrolled at 24-Hour Fitness in the spring of 2010.
I’m not sure what’s going on with me, but three weeks shy from turning 41 years old and I’ve decided it’s time to learn how to swim. Remember, a couple of months ago I resolved it was time to ride a bike? Maybe it’s because I’m coming into myself, maybe it’s because I’m working with a trainer, or a little of both. It’s kinda nice to have someone guide me and help me in areas where I need it. With Christie by my side I’m more wiling to try new things and I also push myself harder.
This morning, I followed my regular strength training routine and then met up with Christie in the pool. She introduced me to the paddle board, but that didn’t go to swell. No worries. There’s always an alternative. I just grabbed the side of the pool and kicked, kicked, kicked. Then onto some pool exercises similar to water aerobics (jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc.). I love how I feel in the water. I feel so light. It’s incredible how I can jump and kick so high. If I were on land there’s no way I could move so freely and effortlessly.
After the pool exercises Christie showed me how to float on my back. Wow! What an adventure that was! She totally had to help hold me up. I wish I would have had my camera to capture that moment! Needless to say, I didn’t learn to swim today but I sure had a splash of a time. Stay tuned…I’ll keep you updated on my pool adventures as they happen.
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!