I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I knew I had to be consistent. I also knew I had a friend to help me through, but I didn’t know that I would feel like giving up during the first week of my journey!
I was committed to my plan but started experiencing unbearable chest pain and shortness of breath each time I exercised.
I remembered my doctor’s words to my parents the last time I had attempted a weight loss journey and stopped along the way:
“Your daughter’s condition is serious. She literally has no hemoglobin in her body due to anemia. At the same time her hypertension makes the situation even more complicated because she has nothing to transport oxygen in her body and her heart will not be able to withstand any sort of exaggerated pressure. Never allow her to do heavy work and that includes the exercise routine she is talking about. She is not fit for it and we might easily lose her.”
Who wouldn’t bask in the comfort of such an excuse? This was the one statement that made me comfortable all these years. I felt I had no way out, so I stopped trying.
I reached out to my friend, Jane, and told her I was giving up because of my health condition. I told her this was not the path for me, but deep down, it didn’t make sense to me because as far as I knew, exercise was good for everyone. Jane confronted me right away:
“Shami, you should have told me your health problem from the beginning. It matters and it should be always considered,” she said. “Yes, exercise is good for everyone but what works for me might not work for you. Change your routine until we have found the perfect (pace) for you.”
I took her advice and had to do my research all over again. She was right. It wasn’t time to give up, I just needed a less intense approach until I get used to exercising with time. There was no need to start with a vigorous exercise plan. Instead of the jogging, I shifted to skipping, aerobics and brisk walking, and saw results! Know yourself and work accordingly.
