In my first blog entry, I write about this overall exercise challenge - to exercise regularly and to reflect on the personal struggles and triumphs of my exercise journey by writing. I'm "morbidly obese" and dealing with several serious health conditions simultaneously. Each weekly post reflects my experience in bringing exercise back into my life: Exercise is my friend...Make room for exercise...The language of exercise...What is a health trainer?... In today's writing I share my utter surprise....utter surprise at how my second exercise accomplishment almost passed by unnoticed!
Early on in the fitness class, I insisted on "standing only" types of exercise; any type of work on the floor was simply not possible. Though I might be able to help sit down, I would definitely need a fork-lift to get back to standing. So after two months of regular circuit training on Mondays and Wednesdays, I was not surprised when the instructor asked if I would try getting down on the ground because our group was now doing "planks." (Other class members forewarned "You will be down on the ground, and up, before you know it.") With this encouragement, I agreed to try, but only if someone would first help me down and then help me back up.
With the help, I sat down on a mat, then rolled over to my stomach, and then pushed myself up into a "plank" position. I held the "plank" for 3 seconds. Indeed, I tried it a couple of times; already having made it to the "ground," I didn't want to waste good exercise time! The instructor then helped me maneuver over to the side, gave me a hand, and "yanked" me back up to standing position, while I frantically grabbed for the nearby wall. The picture in my mind was of a fat dog trying to roll off its back - wiggling back-and-forth. It was crude, and I needed considerable assistance, but I had gotten down on the ground and stood back up!
It was the second time we tried "planks" that I actually helped myself sit down and perform a couple of feeble "planks;" then before I knew what was happening, the instructor noted "See you practically 'jumped up' from the ground on your own!" No rolling fat dog! For the past 8-9 years I avoided sitting on the ground, so this was the closest thing to a miracle for me. It may not have been pretty, but I relished in this new-found independence! Now, there's no going back. I am up and down, performing planks, stretches, cobras, push-ups from the knee, stretching to my legs, and many other types of floor exercises. Helping myself both up and down. Even now, the favorite part of my new exercise routine are the stretches on the floor after 45 minutes of grueling workout.
This was my first real exercise accomplishment! I now comprehend the wisdom of the yoga master who once said that being able to get up and down from the ground is one of the most elemental and beneficial activities for both mind and body. I feel that way about my own accomplishment of getting down on the ground and then standing up. Like the Yoga Master, for me, this accomplishment is most profound.
Submitted on Sunday, October 3, 2010.
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