Hi, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May 2006. Prior to that diagnosis, I had been heavily involved in physical activities as a non-professional for about 11years.
Up until 1995, I was your typical "couch potato". Occasionally, when on vacation, I would go on a hike. And I had a bike sitting in the garage that I had used during my college years to get around campus, that I would blow the cobwebs off and ride around the block just to make sure it was working ok. I was also pretty darn big! I won't share my weight, but I wore a size 26 outfit!
In the summer of 1995, my lifestyle started changing. I never started out to do anything about my weight or fitness level. I simply wanted to get ready for a family vacation. I had just recently gotten a divorce and my father had invited me to tag along to Hawaii, under one condition. I had to get ready to go snorkeling with him, and that meant being able to handle a 1 mile ocean "swim". I had 6 weeks to get ready.
I rose to the challenge, joining a gym and seeking out some advice about "how to build up my legs and upper body for swimming". This was probably the most painful six weeks of my life! I wasn't trying to lose weight, I just wanted to be able to push my size 26 swimsuit through the water. I did weight lifting, cardio, swimming, a little bike riding, tried jogging (way too hard on my bad knee!), etc. etc.
As I was boarding the plane for Hawaii, I was feeling pretty confident that I could handle whatever my Dad had to dish out. We got there and he spent a relaxing afternoon at the pool to wind down after the plane flight AND WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING WITH AN EAR INFECTION! So, no ocean swimming for him! I did some snorkeling but nothing as strenuous as I had imagined during my 6 weeks of training.
But I had developed a routine and decided upon my return to keep my gym membership and continue to workout, so that I could be ready for the next vacation!
This simple decision changed everything! Since then, I've earned a gold award in the Advanced Program for the President's Fitness Challenge, twice! I've gone on 65 mile bike rides, taken up scuba diving, yoga and tried a number of other fitness related activities. I've also lost over 70 pounds and am working on the next 20-25.
