It Hurts! :=)

I posted a topic in the Health & Wellness section talking about my experiences over the last 5 or 6 months, and what I've discovered about the price you have to pay to reverse years of neglect and doing what you need to to get into peak condition. (Although that thread landed in moderation for some reason)

I think we really should be straight with people and tell them honestly that it is going to hurt. As I said in that post during those first several weeks your body is not going to like what you're doing to it. I discovered that if you really want to get into shape then you're going to have to do more than walk or other light to moderate activities. You have to step it up and push yourself into areas where you feel it. I don't mean overdoing it or over-extending yourself, but I do mean where after a workout you actually do feel like you've worked out.

And beyond the fact that it hurts is also the point I mentioned about not seeing the results in those early weeks that you feel you should given the work you've put in. It takes time to get your body to where it starts shedding the pounds. Also to some degree you may be building some muscle which is neutralizing the weight loss so that in fact you might not see any change on the scales early on. I know I didn't see any change in my weight for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but I knew I was getting trimmer because my clothes were fitting a little looser.

I think the thing people need to realize is that they can't approach this as some kind of quick fix. It takes time to get your metabolism to where it needs to be and to get your body to where it is working with you instead of against you. Yes you're going to hurt, but over time you'll be able to do more and the same level of exercise is going to hurt less. Of course when one level gets completely comfortable then it's time to up your routine.

I think people should start out and give themselves a full year. Don't worry if you're not seeing what you think you should see in the first weeks or first few months. The important thing is you're staying with it and remaining consistent. If you're exercising more and eating less (as well as healthier) then the gains are eventually going to come. Of course the ultimate goal is to incorporate all of this into a completely new lifestyle that you'll maintain for the rest of your life.

Just know that getting there is going to mean experiencing some discomfort along the way