Tomorrow marks my 6 month marker to my goal to change my life. Time sure has flown.
Today is a very cloudy day, so I couldn't get a very good photo of myself. I had to go outside and squint for this one.
Let me tell you first off, I haven't lost a single pound, but before you judge this as a failure, let me explain. I haven't lost weight because I have replaced a significant amount of fat with muscle. And since the same volume of muscle weight approximately 3 times as much as fat of the same volume, I have maintained the same weight throughout. The difference now is that I look much leaner, and have some serious muscle.
In the beginning, I worked with a personal trainer twice a week, not only to get me motivated to start, but also to guilt me into making sure I went. I also went a single day during the week to walk on the treadmill. We originally split training time between free weights and reformer Pilates, but I discovered that I would come home after using free weights feeling like crap. So we stuck to Pilates from then on.
After two months, I switched from private to group Pilates, joined a second gym (don't ask), and worked my way up from 2 days, to 3, and then 4. I have cut out cardio, mostly because as of late we have been working heavily in the yard on the weekends and taking walks, but I intend to start adding it back in... more on that a bit later in this post.
Let me tell you something.
I feel FABULOUS.
I don't know that I have ever felt this good in my entire life. I know I still have a ways to go in losing some fat and slimming down, but I can't recall ever feeling like this. I am so very strong and energetic, and I seem to always be in a great mood. I can now hold in my stomach, my back pain is virtually gone (except when my trainer has me doing crazy sit-ups), and even old injuries and surgeries seem to bother me a ton less.
I can now wear form-fitting clothing without being utterly embarrassed, and I am out-working my husband in the yard. I feel so good now that we spend virtually every weekend out with friends or doing yard work. I have come so far that I have been a bit of an inspiration to others to consider going to the gym.
I used to play World of Warcraft obsessively, but as of a couple of days ago, I cancelled my account. I just don't feel the same desire to be so sedentary. This little tidbit leads me to my next bit of accomplishment.
Nathan will be joining a gym too. He has been feeling very stressed lately, and my working out has alerted him to the need to not feel so fat and lazy. He cancelled his World of Warcraft account when I did and will be using the money we used to spend vegging out behind the computer on a gym membership of his own. I just told him to pick one of the gyms I was a member of.
By Nathan beginning his own routine of exercise (man I hope he is serious about it), it will encourage me to accompany him to the gym and get back on the elliptical machine. Hopefully, once he gets some energy back he will starts doing free weights with me, since I am sure that I can handle it now.
Now, this brings me to you, my readers. If you are sitting there, devoid of energy, willpower, and watching your waistline grow, I can relate. I was all that and more, depression and stress were my constant companions six months ago. I used to be so negative and unhappy. I really had to push myself to get off my butt, walk into a gym, and ask for help. I implore you to take the first step, getting in shape has so many more benefits than just a trim waistline.
If you think it is too expensive, ask yourself "how much money would I save on food, clothing, shoes, moisturizer, gas, etc. a month if I lost weight, firmed up, and adopted healthier lifetime habits?" I now drink one diet soda a week, as opposed to drinking regular soda several times a day, every day. Water is a staple in our house, and it is much cheaper than soda, and it is so much better for the skin and body!. I don't wear through my shoes like I used to, and my clothes are not being stretched out anymore. Less skin means I don't need as much moisturizer. I save gas money by walking more places, not caring where the closest parking is, and not adding weight to my car. Surely, those savings are enough to justify the cost of a gym membership.
I would love to see everyone take that first step like I did, and hear about their habit changes. I won't lie to you, the first few weeks are murder, but once you get into a pattern, I promise you, you will be so glad you started.
I know I am.
Today is a very cloudy day, so I couldn't get a very good photo of myself. I had to go outside and squint for this one.
Let me tell you first off, I haven't lost a single pound, but before you judge this as a failure, let me explain. I haven't lost weight because I have replaced a significant amount of fat with muscle. And since the same volume of muscle weight approximately 3 times as much as fat of the same volume, I have maintained the same weight throughout. The difference now is that I look much leaner, and have some serious muscle.
In the beginning, I worked with a personal trainer twice a week, not only to get me motivated to start, but also to guilt me into making sure I went. I also went a single day during the week to walk on the treadmill. We originally split training time between free weights and reformer Pilates, but I discovered that I would come home after using free weights feeling like crap. So we stuck to Pilates from then on.
After two months, I switched from private to group Pilates, joined a second gym (don't ask), and worked my way up from 2 days, to 3, and then 4. I have cut out cardio, mostly because as of late we have been working heavily in the yard on the weekends and taking walks, but I intend to start adding it back in... more on that a bit later in this post.
Let me tell you something.
I feel FABULOUS.
I don't know that I have ever felt this good in my entire life. I know I still have a ways to go in losing some fat and slimming down, but I can't recall ever feeling like this. I am so very strong and energetic, and I seem to always be in a great mood. I can now hold in my stomach, my back pain is virtually gone (except when my trainer has me doing crazy sit-ups), and even old injuries and surgeries seem to bother me a ton less.
I can now wear form-fitting clothing without being utterly embarrassed, and I am out-working my husband in the yard. I feel so good now that we spend virtually every weekend out with friends or doing yard work. I have come so far that I have been a bit of an inspiration to others to consider going to the gym.
I used to play World of Warcraft obsessively, but as of a couple of days ago, I cancelled my account. I just don't feel the same desire to be so sedentary. This little tidbit leads me to my next bit of accomplishment.
Nathan will be joining a gym too. He has been feeling very stressed lately, and my working out has alerted him to the need to not feel so fat and lazy. He cancelled his World of Warcraft account when I did and will be using the money we used to spend vegging out behind the computer on a gym membership of his own. I just told him to pick one of the gyms I was a member of.
By Nathan beginning his own routine of exercise (man I hope he is serious about it), it will encourage me to accompany him to the gym and get back on the elliptical machine. Hopefully, once he gets some energy back he will starts doing free weights with me, since I am sure that I can handle it now.
Now, this brings me to you, my readers. If you are sitting there, devoid of energy, willpower, and watching your waistline grow, I can relate. I was all that and more, depression and stress were my constant companions six months ago. I used to be so negative and unhappy. I really had to push myself to get off my butt, walk into a gym, and ask for help. I implore you to take the first step, getting in shape has so many more benefits than just a trim waistline.
If you think it is too expensive, ask yourself "how much money would I save on food, clothing, shoes, moisturizer, gas, etc. a month if I lost weight, firmed up, and adopted healthier lifetime habits?" I now drink one diet soda a week, as opposed to drinking regular soda several times a day, every day. Water is a staple in our house, and it is much cheaper than soda, and it is so much better for the skin and body!. I don't wear through my shoes like I used to, and my clothes are not being stretched out anymore. Less skin means I don't need as much moisturizer. I save gas money by walking more places, not caring where the closest parking is, and not adding weight to my car. Surely, those savings are enough to justify the cost of a gym membership.
I would love to see everyone take that first step like I did, and hear about their habit changes. I won't lie to you, the first few weeks are murder, but once you get into a pattern, I promise you, you will be so glad you started.
I know I am.
