Basically, I think it saved my life. In 2007, I was morbidly obese, insulin resistant, suffering from PCOS (bleeding in the lining of my bladder, hirsuitism, body fat around the middle.), I was injured, terribly depressed (broken foot in several places.), my Dr. told me I was insulin resistant, my dentist told me the year before I had bone loss (already). I had to make a decision. Did I want to die? I was only 28. I was well over 100 pounds overweight. I was certain that if I didn't do something that I would be over the 300 lb mark within a few weeks. I started with a podcast called The Reasonable Diet with Sandra Ahten. I could barely walk. But, I could count my calories, I could drink water, and I could walk for 15 minutes 3x/week. I also bought a scale for myself at that time. I got a Fitday account to help me understand what worked and what didn't.
The exercise made it possible for me to tackle the weight. See, it treats the depression, the insulin resistance (and thereby the PCOS) and it helps with my over all sense of well being. I do the weight training for my bone density. If I get my exercise, I can absorb the food I eat. Otherwise, my body packs it away for later and that fat that it then becomes is toxic and exudes estrogen, making me sick. I also do yoga for the depression, to give my thyroid a jump start, and to calm my mind/spirit (because cortisol is at the top of that illness pyramid. Elevated cortisol comes with extra insulin and lowers your metabolism.)
Also, I just like it. I like going outside. I like putting my Cathe disc in. I like getting hot and sweaty. I like stretching. The only part I don't really like is the warm up and the first 3-4 minutes in the workout. But, I know that long about mile 1.2 I will feel much better.
