What Would Fit Feel Like?

July 7, 2010

I may not be applying for The Biggest Loser again, but I do have to admit that the application does have some great questions on it that hopefully make the people applying stop to really think about their motives. Don’t worry- I didn’t download the application for myself. I’ve been reading Jen Lancaster’s book, Bitter is the New Black, and came across a portion where she talks about her Biggest Loser casting experience and some of the answers she put on her application. That got me remembering that there were some thought provoking questions on the season 10 application, so I thought I’d take a look to see if I’ve “figured it out” yet. I’ll probably post a few of these over the next couple of weeks- I would love for you to pop in and comment with your responses as well!

Today’s Question: What do you think would be the best thing about being fit? How would your life be different?

Soar by Sudachi on Flickr

*le sigh* Seriously. It’s not like I’ve never been fit. When I went through all my fat camp experiences, I left pretty damn fit. Working out 5+ hours a day will do that to you. I taught aerobics classes. Kickboxing and step aerobics. I was still 215 pounds, my lowest I can ever remember being (a size 16 misses). I could go for a jog, bound up stairs, be on my feet for hours on end. That lasted all of about 4 months, and then the freshman 15 50  happened. It’s been 11 years since I’ve felt fit. 11 damn years! Can you imagine?

So, how would my life be different? I have no idea how to describe it. The feeling of not being limited by your size and by your lack of stamina sounds so good right now I could cry. No more hips against the arms of chairs. No more worries about if there is a fire alarm at work and I have to scale a bunch of stairs. No more having to prop my legs up at night to help the swelling go down. When I become fit, I will feel this earned sense of freedom. Maybe I’ll feel closer to my age. Maybe my head will stop telling me I can’t do things.

Maybe it won’t.

Maybe I’ll still have some issues due to the fact I allowed myself to get to my highest weight of 455 pounds. Maybe I’ll have lingering joint pain from carrying around the weight for so long. I know that my body won’t be tight and toned (at least without the assistance of a total body lift). Even then, my body will have scars. My mind will have scars.

So how would my life be different? I’m not 100% sure yet, but I know it would be better, and I can’t wait to find out.

How about you? What would fit feel like? What DOES fit feel like?

Tagged as: fit, fitness, Moves

  • Stephanie Osgood

    I love your blog, every day I look forward to it.
    My dream of being fit would include being able to paint my toes and breathe at the same time and also being able to kick my own ass. Try it, when you have chubby legs like mine your heels don’t reach your butt anymore.
    ~stephanie
    bethebutterflies.blogspot.com

  • Stephanie Osgood

    I love your blog, every day I look forward to it.
    My dream of being fit would include being able to paint my toes and breathe at the same time and also being able to kick my own ass. Try it, when you have chubby legs like mine your heels don’t reach your butt anymore.
    ~stephanie
    bethebutterflies.blogspot.com

  • http://onehealthyapple.blogspot.com One Healthy Apple

    Great post! I like to think I'm fairly fit, although always working on it! Fit means enjoying what your body can do RIGHT now, craving exercise and fresh air, and trying new things in fitness. I don't think fit looks a certain way either- it's all about what you make of it. Fit feels great!

  • http://twitter.com/LisaEirene Lisa Eirene

    GREAT POST!!! As someone who has lost a significant amount of weight, I can “weigh in” on both questions.
    First, yes, I have mental, emotional and physical scars from being 100+ pounds overweight. I have the stretch marks and loose skin. I have bad days where I feel like the “fat girl” again. I get critical about my body and analyze every little pudge–ignoring the 110 I lost. It's stupid. But those feeling are sometimes so ingrained it's hard to shake.

    Second, for me FIT feels like happiness more days than the sadness. It feels like I have too much energy now and can't sit still. Fit is being able to see the fitness improvements I've made: going from barely being able to swim half a mile to swimming 1.25 miles in 40 minutes without stopping to rest.

  • http://www.mayorofthebux.com Danielle

    wonderful and thought provoking question. what DOES fit feel like? I would like to think it feels like getting up and going to the gym at 4am and knowing that my body enjoys the heck I'm giving it right now. that fit is being able to chase after my niece like I did the other day. Fit is not making excuses and worrying that others are going to discover that I'm overweight…(like that don't see it) Fit is more.

  • Evelyn

    ooo Fit would feel like bounding up the subway stairs without huffing and puffing and needing to rest. Fit would feel like being able to dance for hours without needing to sit down or to stand in heels without being in pain after 5 minutes. I think fit is just waking up in the morning and not feeling the weight of my body resisting my brain's command to rise! hehehehe I think ultimately it means energy to me. :)

  • http://colormeuntypical.blogspot.com Untypically Jia

    I remember being a little more fit. I used to walk everywhere and I rarely got tired. I never walked like miles at a time, but I'm to a point where taking my dog to pee gets me out of breath.

  • http://twitter.com/TexInTheCity TexInTheCity

    Fit would feel like taking one of those pole dancing classes and being able to do the complete workout. There is nothing sexy about huffing and puffing as you are trying to walk sexy towards the pole! lol

  • Pingback: What’s Your Goal? — Skinny Emmie Weight Loss Blog

  • Katdoesdiets

    I have stretch marks, saggy, skin, all that, but it's OK. They're like battle scars, and I do feel I've been through a battle. A battle well worth all the work. I like that you said 'when' you get fit and not if.
    Hmm, fit feels like…strength. But I have to say all the mental/emotional work I've done has been the best part of all this.

  • http://midlifenatalie.wordpress.com/ midlifenatalie

    wow…i love this post! i love that your answer was so thought out. really good.

    for me fit would mean less flab and more muscles mass overall. i lost a significant amount of weight several years ago. i had a tummy tuck to help with the belly hang that 4 c-sections contributed to, and my tummy was tight. it has loosened up a little, but now i want to work on my arms and legs. and to really be back at my goal weight would be nice as well. for me that would mean losing about 40 pounds. i just have to find motivation.

Previous post:

Next post: