Get fit, not fixed

Image: AKARAKINGDOMS / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This week's thinking has gone like this:

Monday: "I might be slow, but at least I'm out there."

Tuesday: "Go hard, or don't go at all."

Wednesday: "Get fit, not fixed."

In the pool, the "go hard" mantra wasn't sticking. I felt so tired it was difficult to push the envelope. Luckily, I rebounded for the run and averaged more than 1.5 min/mile faster on today's 4-miler than on Monday's turtle trot.

Today's workout:

15 min abs/core workout (pre-swim)

45 min swim workout (workout #12 to follow)

4-mile pace run.

Total calorie burn: approx 1200

When I returned to the locker room post-run, an Aqua Fit class was wrapping up and I overheard one woman detailing her list of physical woes. This poor woman, overweight and probably in her 60's, had a list that included double knee replacements, a tummy-tuck that needed to be "finished," breasts that are different sizes--a B and a D, and somehow related to the tummy-tuck surgery (?), blood pressure issues and medication that was ruining her liver.

I applaud this woman for participating in the Aqua Fit class despite all her physical and medical problems--it is probably one of the best things she can do for herself, in addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet. Just being there, she has taken one big, important step toward improving her health.

This led me to wonder, though, could some of her ailments have been avoided if she'd been taking these steps all along? By embracing a healthy lifestyle, one that includes good eating habits and regular exercise, many health problems, such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can be avoided, thereby avoiding future invasive medical procedures such as knee replacements and tummy tucks. Mulling this over while packing up my swim gear, I found myself thinking the goal should be to "get fit, not fixed."

Of course, this idea had my mind spinning onto a topic entirely opposite of getting "fixed" for necessary health reasons verses getting "fixed" for mere aesthetics. Stay tuned for more on this controversial subject . . .

Dinner tonight was Southwestern Bean Soup. My girls gobbled it up and requested seconds. Simple, healthy and easy to prepare in advance: (Props once again going out to Jen for finding and sharing this one.)

Southwestern Bean Soup

1 lg onion, chopped

1 tsp vegetable oil (I use olive oil)

2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained

2 cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth (I use vegetable broth)

1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (16 0z) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen corn

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

In a large pot, Dutch oven or soup kettle, saute the onion in oil until tender.

Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Swim workout #12 (45 minute swim)

Warm Up (dry land + 500)

15 minutes abs/core work on pool deck

500 Choice, easy

Set 1 (400)

IM order, 3 lengths of each stroke (Kick, drill, swim)

Set 2 (300)

300 Pull

Set 3 (6-minute kick set)

Free kick, 45 sec hard/sprint; followed by Breast kick, 15 sec easy. Repeat for 6 minutes.

Set 4 (250)

50 V-scull; (10 push ups/pull ups/dips at the walls)

200 Free, pace

Cool Down (200)

IM down, Free back; easy