Get Fit

I’m sure last week was challenging for those trying to keep New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight or exercise more with the snow and cold weather. It is natural to want to munch on junk and treats when we are cooped up inside. It also makes outdoor activity harder to accomplish.

Perhaps Santa left a Fitbit under your tree and you are still figuring out how to use it. Or you are using it everyday without fail to track your activity.  Either way, Baptist Health cardiologist Dr. Scott Davis has some new research with surprising results.

At the beginning of every year, countless Arkansans make resolutions to lose weight, and a few succeed… initially. All too often, those trying to drop a few pounds take on excessively restrictive diets to achieve their desired weight. Slowly though, the constant feeling of deprivation begins to be too much, and old habits creep back in. As a result, nearly 65% of those who lose weight regain all they lost within three years.

Nothing is worse than stepping on the scale after another week of eating healthy and exercising only to see the same number as the week before. This may last for days or weeks and your weight may not budge, which can make all your hard work seem like a waste of time. This is known as a weight-loss plateau.

Have you ever thought about how some people achieve greatness? Growing up, I loved the Chicago Bulls, especially Michael Jordan. Even though I am not a huge basketball fan, Michael Jordan’s incredible leaping ability and defensive play made it exciting. Michael Jordan is listed on the NBA website as the greatest basketball player of all time, but did you know that Michael Jordan did not make his high school varsity basketball team the first time he tried out? Rather than giving up or devoting his efforts to another sport, he was motivated to prove his worth. 

When I was on the cross-country team in college, there was one workout the whole team dreaded – “hill work”. Our coach would find the largest hill in the city (We were convinced it was the largest hill in the world!) and have us trudge up and race down repeatedly. I remember the climb was arduous. I was tempted many times to stop and walk, but my stubborn pride kept my legs moving. My team members who did stop (usually after the fifth or sixth repetition) had a look of defeat on their face. They were disappointed in themselves and, of course, the coach was disappointed too, as evidenced by much yelling.