A few months ago I was thinking about how I really ought to get around to losing the baby weight, especially considering the "baby" is about to turn three. I came across a fitness class deal on living social and purchased it. I was immediately hit with buyers' remorse. What was I thinking? I don't work out! This was going to be horrible (but I am too cheap to just not go and waste the money).
The first class was funny (not at the time, but looking back). The classes are held in a park in Portland and I showed up at the park listed on the website but no one came. I had myself so worked up about how hard it was going to be and if I'd even be able to do it and I was nervous, scared, embarrassed, etc. And then no one showed up for the class. No athletes, no coaches, nothing (unless you count homeless people sleeping under benches). After about 15 minutes I gave up and went home. Of course, because I'm dramatic and it had been such an emotional morning, and because it felt like getting stood up, and because I now would have to get all worked up for the first day all over again, I cried the whole way home. I got home, Jerel saw me in tears and said "Why are you crying?" So I told him what had happened--the trauma of being alone in a park, trying to be brave, and then being disappointed. And then he said "Okay. But why are you crying?" I love Jerel!
Anyway, it was all a big mix-up, the coaches apologized profusely, and my second first day went much better. I mean, I almost died because it was so hard, but I did finally do a workout. It's a bootcamp-style class (because naturally, if you haven't worked out in years, "bootcamp" seems like a good way to ease into it...) and I was in so much pain later. It kept me up all night and I could barely move the next day. It was just muscle soreness, but it was pretty much every muscle in my body. I can't even describe the horribleness of it! We now have classes in an indoor gym and the bootcamp classes are mixed in with crossfit type classes.
I stuck it out and 4 months later I'm really enjoying it. I go 4 times a week (Jerel graciously adjusts his work schedule on the days I go) across town at 6am and I'm getting a lot healthier. It's still torture each time, but I'm feeling stronger and more confident. More about the gym here: http://portlandoutdoorindoor.com/
At the same time, I signed up for an 8-week fitness challenge at http://feelgreatineight.blogspot.com/. It's been hard to keep up with all of the requirements, but it's made a big difference. There are lots of requirements related to physical, mental, and spiritual health. I'm pretty competitive and there's a cash prize for the winner. I've finished 6 weeks so far and during that time have lost 8 pounds. Combined with the small amounts of weight that came off before that, I've lost a total of 16 pounds (which is a lot when you're a shorty). I'm down to my pre-babies weight and just a few pounds shy of my wedding weight. I'm definitely pleased with the improvements I've made this year. It's nice to step out of the frumpy mom stage finally!
Sorry, that was the longest post ever, but it's been a big deal for me this year!
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