I have a different take on fitness. I think it should be fun. But in order for this to happen, I have to really modify a lot of things. I have been injured--a lot. I have to take that into account for exercises. I also have a lot of extra skin that gets in the way. Finally, I'm not a fitness model; everything I do has an extra 100+ pounds pushing against me.
A little background on my injuries/problems that I accommodate:
A little background on my injuries/problems that I accommodate:
- First are foremost, I'm 5'1". Why is this something I mention? I have to adjust most machine exercises because I simply can't reach a bar or the ground. I'll be posting some short people tips!
- I was about 300 lbs when I started. Most people don't realize just how hard that makes some exercise when you're that overweight. And the skin. Oh the skin. It's always in the way.
- In 1994, I had surgery to remove a blockage from my stomach. It was emergency surgery and the doctors cut through my dermis to my actual stomach, meaning they completely cut through my stomach muscle. In other words, I don't have a stomach muscle on my right hand side. This makes a lot of exercises either imbalanced or impossible.
- I have been in 2 car accidents, once while on my bicycle and once in a car. Due to these accidents, I have a shoulder that hates to work out, a neck that gets angry, and hips that hate life. I have to be cognizant of my limitations and help those problem areas grow, not get re-injured. Rest days become very important! Listen to your body!
- In early 2014, I tried to take my bike through a tree. It didn't work out.
- I have diverticulitis, a chronic disease of the colon. I have to watch and limit what I get to eat. Sadly this also means I don't get to enjoy yummy healthy food, such as oats, nuts, or corn.
- I have asthma and bad allergies. They rarely mess things up too much, but I have to be aware of my limitations.