My Fitness Journey: From Zombie Bait to Zombie Defense

*Lindsay’s Note: This is a guest post from Rebekka Utermohlen. I’ve known Rebekka for several years now and we have worked together on many different social media projects together in our “real” lives. She is full of creative energy and knows a lot about fitness, but doesn’t consider herself to be fit. Well, 2015 is the year she’s decided to change all that and she’ll be posting about it here on Fit & Awesome. This post is part one of a series of blog posts documenting Rebekka’s fitness journey. Enjoy!

I’m definitely awesome, but I’m not fit. So why am I writing here? Because this year I’m determined to go from Zombie Bait to Zombie Defense. In the movie Zombieland, rule number one for Zombie Defense is cardio. Unfortunately I can’t run very long right now- only for less than a minute. My brisk jogging pace can be maintained for a few minutes, but you don’t out-jog a zombie. Even my older sister, who I assume loves me dearly, has told me she will only keep me around during the Zombie Apocalypse as bait to save her own children. To quote her exactly, “I’ll kick you in the knee, and grab the kids.” I really have no stamina. Sadly, I get tired just holding her 6 month old baby for more than five minutes.

Me bending over because I’m exhausted after running.

I’m aware of how to be healthy, and I know the importance of daily exercise. But the real motivation to get moving hasn’t been present until now. Looks can be deceiving, and since I have a healthy BMI most people assume I must be fit. But I wonder what a blood test would show. I regularly let my blood sugar drop too low and then spike hard with processed fast foods, causing fatigue and mood swings. This terrible roller coaster of glucose levels is because I don’t dedicated enough time to creating a healthy lifestyle for myself.

Surprisingly, I actually love knowing about how to be healthy and ways to improve fitness. The only magazine I subscribe to is SELF. I read it from cover to cover. Thinking about what it would be like to join a marathon, make fresh meals daily, or have an exercise routine are inspiring to me. But for now I want to be able todo the following:

• Run a full mile without stopping.
• Get in shape and climb a flight of stairs without being winded.
• Strengthen the body I have now, so I’ll be healthier in the future.

One can always change the path they are on, and since the Zombie Apocalypse hasn’t hit us yet it’s the perfect time to get into defense mode. I’d like my sister to think I could be used to help protect her family during a fight, not be used as bait.

If you’re also on a fitness journey, we can experience an elevated heart rate and not think it’s a heart attack together. What part of your fitness do you want to improve? Post in the comments and let me know!