Jackson Free Press

Like many of us, I started off the new year so well. I actually began an intensive fitness makeover at 6 a.m. on Dec. 30--just so that I would have a head start on everyone.

For Christmas this year, my dad bought me a membership to Mississippi Crossfit--an intense workout program in Ridgeland.

After the first workout, I was convinced that what I had actually gotten for Christmas was a membership to a masochistic cult. I thought I was in decent shape until that first workout when I could barely lift myself on the pull-up bar or finish a round of air squats.

Crossfit is different from the majority of traditional workouts and features intensive workouts for strength training similar to those of police academies and military special-operation units. The workouts are different every day, and they appear on the gym's whiteboard resembling this set up: 10 pull ups; 10 push ups; 10 sit ups; 10 air squats.

Easy, right? Now do 10 rounds as fast as you can (for a time that is posted for all to see).

Before December, my workout routine was anything but regular. With all my obligations, I felt lucky to get one run in a week. Now, as I'm getting a bit older, I've realized that making my health and wellness a priority is just as important as any appointment on my calendar.

By the second week of February, I had lost a few pounds, and I could even do sumo deadlift high pulls and push presses with weights on my barbell. I still had to resist the urge to throw up or cry during a workout, but hey, I was making progress. The support I received from the Crossfit staff and other participants kept me going.

The workouts are not just a test of physical determination, but also of mental strength. It seems like everyone in the program has some kind of addiction to it, and I attribute that to the camaraderie that forms when people are at their breaking point, and then help each other through it.

Despite my progress and all the mornings of kicking myself out of bed at 6 a.m., I now have little to show for it.

Over the past weeks, I became absorbed in writing a cover story ("Integrating Yazoo: Haley Barbour's Hometown History") while letting my sleeping, eating and workout habits fall to the wayside. And after the story was published, I took a road trip through Louisiana where I celebrated Mardi Gras by eating my fill of fried seafood, Boudin balls and crawfish au gratin.

Now, the idea of setting my alarm for 5:30 a.m. and doing dozens of burpees and kettle-bell swings feels like a punishment that I would rather avoid.

Changing a habit is hard work. For me, one false start leads to another until it seems like I've completely fallen of the wagon, and it would be easier just to give up. But instead of giving up something for Lent this year (after years of half-hearted attempts), I've decided to make my health a priority no matter now busy or insane life gets.

Life is always going to be crazy, routines will be interrupted, and workloads will wane and wax--but keeping an appointment with yourself to exercise is one of the most important things you can do.

If you need a reason to get in shape, March is a good month to do so. Not only is spring break on the horizon--and the time of year to start wearing less clothing and show more skin--March is the National Heart Association's fitness month.

The organization offers an online assessment tool (http://mylifecheck.heart.org) that can helps determine what areas of your health need improvement.

The American Heath Association's website (http://www.heart.org) is a valuable resource with grocery-list recommendations, recipes and stress-management tips.

The association breaks healthy living down into steps: exercising for 30 minutes a day; eating unprocessed food with low cholesterol and high protein; reducing sugar intake; and quitting smoking.

As my parents get older, they seem more intent on keeping their health intact. My dad, who is 53, is competing in regional cycling competitions and has placed high in his age division. At his age, he can also out-ride most 20-year-olds.

My mom, who is 54, is a self-proclaimed Zumba Queen, who can out-dance my two sisters and me. My parent's energy and zero health problems are a testament to a life of conscious eating 
and exercise.

Everyone needs help when it comes to changing habits. Whether it's finding a supportive group of people to work out with, asking your friends to hold you accountable to your exercise schedule, or even publicly writing a column or blog post about your fitness journey (including its failures) and vowing to do better.

Mississippians carry quite the burden when it comes to the health of our state. It's not a secret that we are the most obese state in the country, but over the last year I have witnessed several individuals and organizations in our state take steps to change our status. If we take small steps to change our habits (ride your bike to Keifer's--it's not that far; substitute apples and peanut butter for cake) we will have to take the opportunity to shine a positive light on our state and ensure the future of our health.

As for me, as I head back to Crossfit this week, I'll try to remember that getting back on the horse is the hardest step.