be fit and healthy

I changed to this goal from something like “get fit” because I wanted to get away from the focus on being slim/toned and aim for healthy instead. Because I am already slim and I’m trying to get away from being so looks focused.
But as one of my main goals is be true to myself I’ll have to admit that while health and physical fitness for the sake of it is important to me, so is looking fit. I want to get more toned up, for me (and it truly is only for me because I’m pretty sure no one else will see any difference, or care). It might not be the ideal motivator (I’d like to be one of those people who only exercise because it makes them feel great) but at least it gets me moving.
And if my ambition to tone up and have more defined muscles lead to motivation to exercise more and so to health and strength and cardio fitness? Perfect. All roads leads to Rome…

I feel so unfit at the moment. I hate it, but to actually do something about it…it just seems so hard. Well I have to, soon anyway. I care about my health and fitness and I don’t feel good as it is. I eat well, and I do my 30 min of walking a day (most days), so I probably qualify as living healthily. But I used to be a gym bunny, I used to FIT. I still look it (I have good genes) but I don’t feel it. I get tired walking up a hill, I can’t lift things anymore. I need to start exercising properly again, I really do.

My health and fitness is very important to me, always has been. I’m used to being in the gym atleast three times a week, walking to work and at work, being very active. But now I live in a small town with no proper gym and I haven’t got a job yet. It’s way too easy to just stay in, relaxing, watching movies, cleaning/cooking, and spending all day looking for jobs on the internet (while the job search is important, so is my health!). But I try to do exercise dvds as often as possible (though they just don’t excite me as live exercise classes do) and go for long walks with the dog. I eat healthily as always, but I want to get more activity into my life, while still having time to do something useful (like my part-time studies and job search). Any advice?

It’s going to be harder now I’m not really close to a gym. But then again, that might be good for me; make me use my imagination, vary my routine a little. I used a yoga dvd today, then later I’ll walk the dog. Maybe do some sit ups and press ups too.

After a few weeks of constant revision and essay writing (spent all day everyday by the computer or in the library), I finally have time to get back on track.

Back at the gym and the pool, eating good, homecooked, healthy food again, sleeping more normal hours. I love it, I feel so much better…and all the stress is melting away.

I’ve always mainly worked out with some kind of vague thought of ‘looking better/fitter/slimmer’ in mind. But then I realised the other day; that’s not my main goal at all. I’ve always been thin, still am, and I’m not even sure I want to be this thin (BMI 18something)...it might be society’s ideal size, but I’m not sure it’s the healthiest weight to be. I wish I could stop worryng about how I look and what other people think about my looks. That’s really not that important. Being pretty is not what I want to be remembered for anyway.

I want to be healthy, stay healthy, not get ill or sick, not feel tired all the time, be able to lift and carry things, be able to defend myself if needed…be able to take care of myself, my life and the people I love. And feel as great as possible while doing it. That’s what I want. Much more than I want a perfectly flat stomach.