I don’t know how it happened…it snuck up on me. I’ve become…what? Sporty is not quite to right word. What is the opposite of a couch potato? That’s me.
In 2002 I was in Paris and at an all-time weight high (125kgs). It was my 30th birthday and I was realising a dream. We were at the Arc de Triomphe and I wanted to climb the 100-or-so steps to the top to see the view of Paris. But I knew I’d not make it. I was so very unfit that it made the trip uncomfortable at times – I couldn’t do all the things I wanted to.
I came home determined to change my life. I was scared about the idea of losing weight (having had trouble with losing too much too soon in the past) so instead I focussed on getting fit. I joined the gym at work and started going.
At first it was pretty basic stuff. Walking on a treadmill, rowing machine, the dreaded crosstrainer. Eventually I got fit enough to try aerobics classes. My first step class almost killed me. Not because I was puffing but because I’m so uncoordinated that I spent the hour tripping over my step and flailing about. I decided to stick with the basics for a while longer. Walking became running, and I found myself lacing my sneakers for early morning road running, and actually enjoying it. I didn’t really lose much weight this way. In fact I think I gained weight at first. That was scary (and yes I know muscle weighs more than fat blah blah, it still freaked me out).
And so slowly I became fitter. I was never going to be super fit because I weighed in excess of 100kgs, but I was better. Healthier and happier. And eventually I did lose more weight, but that’s another story.
And now I seem to have become some kind of sporty spice. I run, I bike, I ice skate, I dance, and now I rollerblade. I’m thinking I’d like to join an indoor soccer team. How did this happen? I love it, it makes me happy and it means I can keep up with super-speedy Wyatt, but I still find it incongruous with my self-image (a lazy fatty).
I guess my insides will catch up with my outsides eventually.
The Secret Life of Bebe 
Life is a funny old thing We seem to change with the situations we are given as we travel thru and as we are challenged, we adapt to that situation and grow. Looking at my life, I went from a extremely shy young mother and housewife to a business owner who would challenge the world. Also like you, being overweight is so restrictive, and as you lose the weight it is like being reborn – a whole new world is opened up to you and you feel so joyous inside. You are no longer a ‘lazy fatty’ – wake up girl – you are great!!!
Go you! Dude, indoor soccer is wicked fun – come to Wellington and join one of my teams!! We even win trophies occasionally. 🙂
That’s awesome.. I hope to one day have an active lifestyle again 🙂
Awesome, Bebe! I’m working on it too! (see my blog for info)
i hope by indoor soccer you the mean the super cool called futsal!!!!
I do now! How do I sign up? I need a beginner grade…