Crawling back to running

Having just recently entered the blissful adventure that is marriage, and having also noticed through the years the familiar trend of weight-gain that generally accompanies such newly-nuptialed status, I decided to make a preemptive strike, retake control of my health (with deference to G-d) and step back into the gym after a two-year hiatus.

At the ripe young age of 32, I guess I am technically still in my physical prime, although I’ve also reached the stage where my recovery time – whether it be from a couple hours on the tennis courts or from a couple of hours in a bar – just isn’t what is used to be.

I used to force myself to suffer through 5km runs on the treadmill up to six times a week, however a day or two missed here and there soon turned into a month or two and then the dreaded expiration and nonrenewal of my membership.

So, last week, on a whim (or really after passing by 100 times and promising myself each time that next time I would join) I entered the Inbal Hotel down the block from my house to inquire.

The Spa at the Inbal is one of the most popular in Jerusalem, and perhaps all of Israel. In fact, it is the only health club in the country to be a member of the ultra-exclusive International Spa Association.

The staff, managed by Dr. Ran Bibi, who has a PhD in Sports Management and over two decades of extensive experience in personal training and massage therapy, is fully certified, highly professional and service-oriented to the guests’ or members’ specific needs.

Head trainers Tony Majlaton and Shlomo Sultan are both Wingate graduates and focus on providing each person who enters the gym with a tailored exercise program and nutrition plan to maximize results.

In addition, the workout room is outfitted solely with equipment manufactured by Technogym, the No. 1 producer of fitness apparatus in the world.

“The top three things one has to think about when they want to get in shape is 1) Motivation; 2) Nutrition; and 3) Discipline,” explained Bibi.

“A lot of this comes from within one’s self, and a true determination to be a healthy person and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“However, there is a large component of ‘getting over the hump’ that can come from a personal trainer, a professional who is there to work with your physiology and psychology to get you to squeeze the best out of yourself.”

It is with these ideas in mind that I stepped back on the treadmill for the first time in forever.

I barely made it through one kilometer, but with my motivation at an all-time high, I’m sure I’ll improve in no time.

I’ll keep you posted!