Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Look at Christie Brinkley...she's 57 and she looks hot. She credits dancing with keeping her figure svelte and fit. She's the walking picture of health, right? So is Mario Lopez, that dimpled hunk of a host at EXTRA...seen his 6-pack lately? He's fit...and healthy too....right...
For 20 years, age 17 to age 37, I ran at least 5 miles a day. I was also anorexic, and sometimes bulimic. I had constant severe depression. At age 37 my mental health deteriorated and I was prescribed an antipsychotic that quickly caused my weight to double. That wasn't healthy, either. I was engaging in exercise solely to keep my weight at ultra-low levels, not to be more fit or healthy. But I lied to myself about that.
For many years, I fought the weight but could no longer do much exercise because of the stress the weight put on my joints. Yet I did hear that exercise could ameliorate depression. So I bought a stationary bike and started doing 15 minutes a day of slow pedaling most days. In a year, I could run a mile again. But it wasn't comfortable and often made me feel worse. However, I did take up walking and now walk for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week. It is the perfect exercise for me at age 53. I don't always want to do it. But I'm not frought with anxiety over my weight anymore, either. Life changes. You adapt. Weight is no longer an obsession. I don't count calories. I don't weigh every day. I just want to fit in the clothes I already have, size 14. And I'm much happier now than I ever was with anorexia and over-exercising.