The Month of July so far has been the most challenging for me exercise-wise. Not because I'm unwell or anything, but because it is too cold in the morning.
Normally I feel cold even when the sun is shining and its quite warm. It is not odd to find me in a sweater, scarf or jacket at room temperatures - 25 degrees to say about 30 degrees. I'm not too sure why, but I've been this way since my younger years. So needless to say, I'm usually terrified of the month of July when temperatures in Nairobi at times drop to even 9 or 8 degrees!
When I stepped out of my door this morning, I was very tempted to walk straight back into the warm blankets. The chilly winds almost blew my brains away! Aggr... It was so cold, my teeth were chattering and I could barely walk because my knees were so stiff. I felt tortured and punished by these weather conditions. Why did I have to be up so early to go to an open field that was covered in mist and dew to jog and walk? Did I have to leave the house at 5.15 am each morning? For crying out loud, all my neighbors were still tucked in and snoring away! Even the guard has to "wake up" to open the gate for me! It's too early. Today was the day I almost gave up on my exercise regime. I was so ready to throw in the towel. I felt over dressed just to counter the biting cold. I had a T-shirt, a sweat shirt and a fleece jacket on, plus my tights and thick socks! Was I going to the moon or what? To top it up, I had to drive for about 10 mins to my destination; it was so dark, drizzling and creepy out there.
When I saw the jogging field this morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of discouragement. I felt somewhat sad. About two people had arrived before me and they seemed to go about their running quite effortlessly. But for me, it was different. I wondered why I have to be there and yet majority of Kenyans are still in bed. Why do I bother to come to this place every morning without fail? It was sickening. But then, I went right up and started my brisk walk. Then soon my body started warming up and I was no longer so cold.
Then after a few moments, I started counting my reasons for coming to exercise each morning.
1. That in almost 1 year now of consistent exercise, I have lost 26.1 kilos and still counting! I cannot imagine gaining even an ouce of that back. For that, cold or no cold, I gotta jog and remain active throughout my life.
2. My last cholesterol reading/measurement was "low". It was so insignificant, the machine couldn't read it. Now, for that only, I will gladly run 12 laps without a complaint. My blood pressure too is normal and my heart doesn't have to beat out of the rib cage every time I do a small chore. I'm calm and composed at all times.
3. I am less stressed. In fact I am not stressed at all. I am even more happier and bubbly. After the field work, I usually feel an overwhelming sense of joy and achievement. My day begins on very high spirits. That, I cannot take fore granted compared to the days I used to take 3 hours or more to be fully awake after drowning endless cups of coffee. But now, I have no room for negative thoughts and feelings in my world. I remain positively charged throughout.
4. I am now full of energy. My day can go on and on and on without feeling tired. And to top it up, I sleep through the night; a good straight 8 hours of sleep. That is a bonus. Talk of energy crashes! That was the life before I started traveling down this route. The afternoons were mostly terrible. My energy levels were so low I thought I was sick! I actually was with all that weight on my body; I was as good as sick.
5. Improved appearance and better posture. I cannot belabor this issue. I now sit upright without a slump, I now walk without bending forward and I virtually have had to get a new wardrobe. None of my previous clothes fit. They have all become tents. [Read about tents here]. I now walk tall and and proud of who I've become.
6. I'm investing in my future health. When I'm 50 and above, I will not be popping more pills than the food I eat just to manage my health conditions. For the last 1 year, I have never been ill. I feel over the moon that I don't have to have a doctor's appointment every week for ailments that could not even be diagnosed. And God willing I intend to remain well for a very long time.
7. I thought of the people who look up to me. Who push themselves to come to exercise or exercise wherever they are because of what I have told them. This for me is one of the biggest motivator. I cannot fail because they will most likely fail too. They will give up if I give up. I will strive to demonstrate to them that it is doable and for them I shall not give up.
8. I've stopped being fearful of one day collapsing and dying from a weight related disease. Heart disease being on top of that list. It is scary to think that your heart can actually stop beating. You cannot even sleep well for fear of never waking up.
9. I'm a better Kenyan for sure. I am a healthy Kenyan. And I will stop being jealous of the ones who are sleeping!
10. The list is endless. I can go on and on and on......
But for reasons either listed above or not mentioned at all, I feel obliged to brave any kind of bad weather and avail myself each morning to exercise.
I know some of my friends are struggling with the same and have given up coming to jog or going to the gym; let me encourage you by telling you that you are not alone. We all are suffering and struggling too. It's too cold these days, but then look at the gains you had made, do you want to throw all that in the trash can and start all over again? Is it worth it to gain back all the weight you'd lost? Is it fair to keep promising your body that you will take it to the field/gym the following morning and you don't get to do it? What about your vital readings; cholesterol, blood pressure, heart age, glucose, are you aware that when you are curling in the warm fuzzy blankets, these reading are creeping up the scales again? And you know how hard it is to bring them down. How dangerous is that? I don't mean to scare you but c'mon friends, we are in this together, you can do it!
Hoping to see you soon.
Lots of Love
dn
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