The Difference

Photo taken by my awesome boot camp coach, Dave!

This week's Club WW meeting was about the importance of exercise. It makes you feel better, gives you energy, improves your sleep, blah, blah, blah.

It's a topic covered before, and one I used to pay little attention to.

Until two years ago.

You see, Dillypoo is a Repeat Offender. I've joined and rejoined Club WW several times over the years. I've followed a half-dozen different plans, always reaching my goal by sticking to the plan and watching what I ate only. I never exercised.

Ever.

Look up couch potato in the dictionary and you'll find an old picture of Dillypoo.

I had numerous excuses for not exercising:

I hated sweating. 


I was allergic to exercise. 


Gyms smell bad. 


I have bad knees.

The truth, though, is I was afraid of exercise. I had no idea what to do or how to start. And I was terrified of hurting myself.

When I joined Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time again in January 2009, I assumed I'd once again follow the plan, get to goal and then hope I was fixed and able to maintain a leaner, meaner me.

I never considered I'd hurdle the mental roadblocks to a more active, leaner and meaner me. But I'm so glad I did!

Because finally, after a lifetime of inactivity, I listened to what they were saying in the meetings and made regular exercise a part of my everyday life. And the results are amazing.

I have more energy, I sleep better (for the most part...an unstable and rapidly depleting supply of hormones are a different sleep deprivation battle) and I generally feel better. But the best thing about being active? The one they forgot to mention?


I'm two sizes smaller than I was the last time I reached goal.

Watching my body change and reshape itself has been amazing. I'm stronger. I see definitions and outlines of muscles I never knew existed. My tummy is firm!

And for the first time ever, I like the shape of my legs.

It took a while to conquer my fears. It started with a few tentative steps on a treadmill followed by some nervous visits to the local park. I made Nike's "Just Do It" slogan my own, and I did it.

And so can you! Get up. Go for a walk, even it's just down the street and back. Because taking that one step can lead to the next, and then one day, three years later, you may find yourself staring at a fabulous new you.