HEALTH AND FITNESS  6

AUNT BEE 2 BARBEE FITNESS CONSULTING

Losing more than 100 pounds, eating healthy and exercising regularly helped me achieve my goals. However, I learned along the way in my journey that this was only the beginning. More would be required to sustain these goals. I had to make lifestyle changes, as well as stick with these changes to keep the weight off and stay healthy. This meant I had to establish a routine and stay focused and consistent if my program was going to work. I started making lifestyle changes February 18, 2001, when I signed my first gym contract. As the years would go by, I wanted to be able to look back and see that I was constantly making progress. 

Having a routine helped me schedule my weekly activities in such a way so my physical fitness time was always included. I would always make sure each and every week that going to the gym at least four days was scheduled. I knew this would take effort and a great deal of discipline, especially since I had been away from it for so long. Discipline was important if I was going to remain consistent in making the needed lifestyle changes essential for good physical shape and good health. 

I came to realize that I would need to safeguard and protect all that I had worked so hard to achieve, otherwise, my efforts in losing over 100 pounds would all be in vain. I just could not see taking everything I had invested and pouring it down the drain, as if it was all worthless. This is why I encourage people who have lost weight to keep it off. One very important reason is that it is so worthwhile and rewarding. The many health benefits a person can receive are endless. Keeping the weight off is a fine example for others because you become living proof of a lifestyle that really works and can be achieved. Living the life is truly the finest testimony that one can give. 

Losing over 100 pounds was a rough, rocky road. I knew that there were changes I had to make to prevent me from having to travel this road again. In this regard, I made an observation about traveling on different types of roads. In our everyday lives, people tend to avoid roads that are difficult to travel. They will take short cuts, back roads, and even side streets in order to avoid roads that are congested, have high traffic, and where road construction is taking place.  

This made me stop and think. I do this myself in the town I live in. I, too, avoid roads that can be difficult to travel and use alternate routes that help me avoid high traffic and congestion. If I would do this with my car, how much more so should I be willing to do this with my health. 

I started taking preventative measures to avoid ever having to travel the difficult road to weight loss again. Prevention is the key to so many of the decisions we make in our lives. This reminds me of the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I have found that prevention can help us avoid calamities, heart aches, troubles and yes, even premature death. Practicing prevention is a way of life for me now.