From Flab to Fab
By Ellen Bittner
Chapter 3. Using Weights, Losing Weight
Growing up in New York City, I went to school in a pre-Title IX era. (Title IX, enacted in 1972, was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination in educational institutions. Its major impact was on high school and collegiate athletics, providing girls with equal access to physical education and sports activities.)
My high school phys ed classes consisted of calisthenics, which included doing sit-ups while a partner held your feet at your ankles; and exercises with mantras such as “I must, I must, I must increase my bust.” Folk Dance, Jazz Dance, and Swimming (that’s another chapter) were some of the other courses that were available to women at the time. Girls who wanted to participate in high school sports could become cheerleaders, which emphasized learning chants and dance routines. This was also a time when women with muscles were considered “unfeminine” and sweating was thought to be “unladylike” (I still have an aversion to sweat.)
The gyms that I joined in later years were not that much different. These women’s oriented fitness centers emphasized cardiac fitness (which is very important) over strength training, once again conveying the message that women should avoid developing muscles. Fitness schedules at these gyms included step classes (beginner, intermediate, & advanced), and aerobics classes (low impact, high impact, dance, and hip hop). I often felt uncoordinated and became discouraged with all of this choreographed activity. Keeping up with the instructor and the music in these large group classes was frustrating, and I easily became bored with the repetitive routines.
As I aged, so did my body. Along with peri-menopause came the usual weight gain and other physical changes associated with this “change of life” phase. In order to avoid the characteristic loss of bone density and diminish the negative affect of my family’s genetics that I wrote about in Chapter 1, I decided to take action to improve my health and extend my longevity.
I had already tried the large fitness centers and knew they hadn’t worked for me. I also knew that I wanted a fitness program that would help me counter the loss of bone density & metabolic changes that came along with menopause - a program that would involve resistance training. I came to the decision that these needs would best be served by a personal trainer.
After doing some research on the internet, I went to visit several one-on-one fitness centers. I spoke with the trainers there to get a sense of their fitness philosophies and approach. I also wanted to be sure that the trainer I ultimately chose would take my current physical condition into consideration, and not use a “one size fits all” packaged routine. When I met with Vadim Vilensky at his Fitness Studio, I explained my goals, and told him that I wanted to be healthy, not become a “weight lifter.” His slogan “Fitness for the Real World” and his experience working with cardiac patients were contributing factors in my decision to work with him.
Most of the fitness centers that I had visited were full of machines. But, the walls of Vadim’s studio were lined with resistance bands, free weights, kettle bells, barbells, stability balls, and mats. There wasn’t a machine in sight. These objects were all so new to me. At first, I found all of this apparatus intimidating. Before long, I realized that my body was the machine, and that I would be using my own body’s weight, strength, flexibility, and stability with the equipment. Once I learned how to use them properly, I bought my own set of free weights and a stability ball so that I could “practice” what I was learning at home.
It’s been 4 years, and I have become much more comfortable and skilled with the equipment. I have also become more fit, flexible, and athletic. In terms of “Fitness for the Real World”, some of the lifestyle changes that I am enjoying are:
Then, I would take an elevator, no matter how short the trip; Now, I bypass the elevator and routinely use the stairs.
Then, I had difficulty reaching my own feet to tie my laces; Now, I easily squat down (& get up again) to tie the laces of 4 year olds.
Then, I needed to use a shopping cart to carry even a few shopping bags; Now, I easily carry several shopping bags, or a case of water, in my hands.
Oh, and the business of not wanting to become a “weight lifter”, there have been times when I’ve considered entering a Power Lifting competition. Who knows, maybe some day I will.
To be continued…
