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Health & Fitness

From Mathlete to Athlete

Not exactly zero to hero, but something like it.

Growing up as the only daughter in an Asian family and being petite in stature, I was always dressed up in frilly things and not really encouraged to do anything athletic first because grades were more important and second for fear that I would hurt myself, scrape a knee or fall out of a tree. I did own a bicycle and a pair of roller skates and eventually had accidents on both. When I was in grammar school I tried out for the cheerleading squad and didn’t make the cut probably because I couldn’t do a cartwheel or any of those fancy moves that’s required. In high school I tried out for the new volleyball team but didn’t make that either, mainly because I wasn’t a big fan of projectile balls and definitely disadvantaged with my height at the net. Fortunately in college I had my athletic debut–I was asked to be on my research lab’s coop coed indoor soccer league. Just a few games in and I distinctly remember defending against this really tall guy. Being the sore loser that I am, I aggressively went in to try to steal the ball from him and he ended up stepping sideways on my ankle. I was carted away in an ambulance and after a trip to the ER I spent the rest of the semester on crutches … so much for that! 

If you’ve been following my posts you know that only recently I started to run merely to keep fit when I was unemployed a few years ago. After overtraining I developed a foot injury which still nags me to this day. I still ran for the medals and the accomplishment but my heart really wasn’t into it. My times got slower, I trained less and I gained weight … the complete opposite of what I initially set out to achieve. 

One day when I decided it was enough I joined a gym, however, it wasn’t until I started working out with my current trainer that I actually started to see results.  Using the CrossFit methodology he has me doing all sorts of Olympic lifts, exercises that require my body to move in ways I didn’t think were possible and most recently I learned how to jump rope. I know, it sounds silly but I must admit, this grown woman literally just learned to jump rope, which is as big of an accomplishment to me as learning how to swim last year! Most of the time he just says “do it” or “go” and I’m forced to act rather than over think things which is my natural inclination.  Sure, I’ll whine and complain but in the end I’m paying this guy close to $100 per session so I’m going to do what he says. He doesn’t allow the word “CAN’T” in my vocabulary and erases any fears I may have by asking me to “trust him.” As I mentioned in an earlier post, I will make the wall of fame, I will continue to invest in his training and I will reach my goal weight. I feel like my gym is almost a third family (work being second), a place where I’m acknowledged and a place I actually look forward to going. 

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At 34 years old, after having developed a nagging foot injury, sore knees and gaining an extra 20 pounds, I never thought it was possible to lose weight and be in the best shape of my life. I guess it just goes to show you that you never really know what you’re capable of until you put your mind to it or someone else forces you to do it. I’m learning a lot about myself, fitness and nutrition but the most important lesson is this: WE are our own hurdles … so just get over it!

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