A Youthful Look Is Her Reward
All my adult life I’ve engaged in some form of exercising--belly dancing, walking, jogging, biking, aerobics and weightlifting.
Recently, however, life decided to give me a pummeling from which I thought I’d never recover. Somehow, I had to survive these experiences, and with God’s grace, I have.
During the five years of trauma (and no exercising), I’d added on an extra 30 pounds. I decided to return to the gym.
I’d always enjoyed doing the aerobic workout; I loved the music, the routines, and perhaps just as much, if not more, the attractive workout clothing that shows off your body. I liked to challenge myself to learn the new steps with each instructor, and I enjoyed the sense of completion at the end of a class, knowing I’d done something good for my body, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There’s nothing like that euphoric “natural high.”
My five-year absence from the gym gave me a good excuse to do something I truly relish: shopping.
My clothes were definitely not “in” anymore, so I went shopping with gusto to get all the correct attire: sports bras and shorts (no more leotards and tights); thick socks, high-top cross-trainer shoes; and a headset to stave off boredom while doing the machines. Then, of course, I needed a new gym bag in which to tote all this new gear.
I’ve been a vegetarian for 10 years, so the combination of diet and exercise worked well to help me lose the weight and to give me some definition in my arms and legs, a much flatter stomach, and an overall toned body of which I’m proud.
It’s been three years now, and I work out consistently three times a week. I tend to see the same people in classes, and now I have an additional group of friends I call my gym buddies. We socialize occasionally throughout the year, as a group and in pairs. This past year, I planned our Gym Buddies Holiday luncheon. We dined at the Ritz and chuckled about how, for many of us, it was the first time we’d seen the others dressed in anything except gym attire.
The rewards of a regular exercise routine are innumerable--like the time my allergy nurse commented how it’s easy to know I exercise because my skin is tight, and it pops when I am given my injections.
Or the nutritionist who told me she could tell I am healthy by seeing how bright the whites of my eyes are.
Or the people who think I don’t look a day over 30.
The reward I like best is going shopping with my grown daughter, wearing short skirts and toe rings, and being approached by men who think I’m her sister.
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Vital Statistics
Name: Jean Morrison Moss
Age: 51
Occupation: English teacher
Old weight: 130 pounds
New weight: 100 pounds
Time It Took to Get There: 6 months
Want to Share Your Success Story?
Losing weight is as individual as gaining weight. Do you have a story on how you got in shape and stayed there? If so, we’d like to hear from you with a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise, encouragement / support as well as your emotional and physical changes.
We’d also like you to send us full-body color photos of you, before and after.
Send essay and photos to “How I Did It,” Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, and include daytime and evening phone numbers. No phone calls, please. Submissions cannot be returned.
In addition to publication, winners will receive a Los Angeles Times gym bag and a gift certificate for a free pair of athletic shoes of your choice, redeemable at any Big 5 Sporting Goods store.