Physical Fitness in Recovery
During active alcoholism and addiction I was a medical wreck, my body condition was a disaster, and my health a catastrophe. With further continuing sobriety, actual healing of mind and body occurred and I could spend time reflecting on my physical health and fitness. I decided I don’t want to stay that way and needed a makeover. I am lucky enough not to need a diet, but that didn’t stop me from seeing the need to improve my fitness. I needed a change for the better. I was not willing to give in yet ending up a slim, but totally unfit person. Getting active was a goal and I made efforts to achieve it level by level, step by step, mile by mile.
There is no overnight six-pack that can be applied like spray-tan. If somebody wants to get fit, he has to work for it. Lots of time and sweat went into my workout and I love every single result. My years on the couch with a glass in my hand show and I must pay tribute. More than once I had to force myself out of bed and into the Gym or onto a bicycle.
As every addict knows, and most of the general population as well, there is the easier, softer way which keeps telling me how beautiful a lazy day of rest would fit into my life right now and right here. Sleeping in is rather the choice than getting up and into the sport clothes. My mind will always come up with an excuse if I let it. The same way I remind myself daily on my recovery from substances I remind myself today daily on my recovery from laziness and unhealthy living. My self-destructive behavior has been finished (well… not completely, I still must admit that I smoke and I drink caffeinated tea and a soda a day), just for the most part I got better. As in everything I strive today for progress, not perfection.
My gym or the park calls me about 4 days per week, that’s about what I can fit into my schedule and it is in my opinion a pretty healthy start. If I overdo anything right in the beginning, I tend to lose interest as fast as it came. Today I try to do things in moderation, a word that is totally contrary to my disease of addiction.
My daily program varies, so I won’t get bored with it. Usually I do some warm up, two miles on a stationary bike, two miles with a hand-bike, and one or two miles running on the treadmill, followed by some weights or other machines. It may take a total of 40 minutes each time; this is really not too much as time flies by when having fun. And it is fun today once I get started! I feel my body waking up, my heart rate going, my endorphins naturally flowing. The treadmill and I will never become close friends, but I force myself on it for a well-balanced training. Each drop of sweat is getting me closer to a better figure, which enhances my self-esteem and an overall improvement in health, from arteries, heart, and lungs to tendons and muscles. Increased flexibility, stamina, and better breathing are great rewards. I personally don’t need a weight loss, just a definition and muscle rebuild, but if you are up for a weight loss, you might see more rapid results and better instant gratification.
Good nutrition with a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables are essential to give the body what it needs to perform. A good workout program let me have some additional chocolate without shame and I love that feeling. I love my ice cream in summer and can get it without hesitation today.
Give an active lifestyle a chance. Many fitness centers will give you a trial membership or have walk-in arrangements. You can also take any classes like Zumba, yoga, spinning, cross-training, or anything that sounds interesting to you to give your fitness more excitement. You may want to ask for a few training sessions to get started, it is important to do your workout right to prevent injuries. Lots of gyms include that in their starter package.