Zumba!

This morning I finally was able to take my first Zumba class, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Why has it taken me all of this time to go to a class?  Because I was nervous.  I had watched all the ladies, every time I went to work out at the gym, and they all seemed to know each other and were having a good time. Being the shy and quiet type, I was a little worried that I might not fit in....literally...like they all had their places in class and there was no room for one more.
I got to the gym a half hour ahead of time, just like it said to do on the schedule, and there was one girl ahead of me.  I stood next to her and soon there were a dozen or so women, all lined up to get their purple pass.
I actually said hi to the woman next to me and told her that this was my first time.  She was very nice and gave me some pointers.  Then she asked if I had just joined the gym. Uhg!  I was a little embarrassed, or I should say I would have been embarrassed if I had told the truth, that I had been a member for 8 months.  But, I let her believe that I was fairly new.  This just made me feel bad that I have still not gotten into a real fitness routine, nor have a done a very good job changing my eating habits.
You know, life gets in the way.  From bad work schedules to bad colds, it's all happened to me so far this year. But I am not stopping.  As long as you're moving forward, you are moving in the right direction.
Don't quit. Don't stop trying to be better. Don't stop making better food choices.  Keep making the effort to better your health.  Keep looking for new ways to keep your interest....like taking a
ZUMBA class!!!!

A new year, a new me

I am so happy that a new year is upon us. Like most people, I feel like I need to wait for a certain date on the calendar to start making changes.  I know that this does not make alot of sense, but it feels right.
I have been reading some very inspirational stories about women who have lost a ton of weight (ok, not a ton, but hundreds of pounds) and I figure if they can do it, so can I.
I'm way ahead of the game, considering I only have about 20 pounds to lose (but alot of flab to firm up :().
So I have made some New Years Resolutions.
The first one is that I will stop eating fast food for lunch.  Let's face it. Is there really any healthy fast food?
Whatever I bring from home, even leftovers from a not-so-healthy dinner is probably better than a burger, fries and a Pepsi.  I will also carry nuts or a nutrition bar in my purse so that I do not become ravenous before my next meal.
The next change I am making is to go to the gym in the morning and to walk/run in my neighborhood in the evening.  I think that these changes in my workout routine, along with healthier eating will jump start my metabolism and send those pesky pounds packing.
Watch out 2012.  Make way for a brand new me!

You gotta start somewhere

I was at the gym this morning and I kept noticing people who were really strong. You know, the girl lifting free weights along side the guys. Or the young woman on a contraption, doing some sort of backwards sit up, clutching a free weight to her chest. Sheesh, I thought to myself, would I ever be that strong? Were they always strong or did they start out as a weakling like me?
As I went from one machine to the next it was really starting to bug me.  I'm just now starting to feel like a gym regular. I haven't used all of the machines yet and I haven't taken any of the classes, but at least I'm getting up in the morning, putting on my workout clothes and making an appearance, even if it is only for a half hour.
But it seemed wherever I looked, there were people who were toned and strong.
Am I really the type of person who likes to see someone more out of shape than me, so that I can feel better about myself? Maybe.
I love the my gym, mainly because I'm NOT surrounded by muscle.  It is filled with regular people like me, people who look like they are just starting on their journey and they have a long way to go. I'm sure that there were plenty of people like that there today, but all I saw was muscle. It was very discouraging.
Then, on my way to the locker, I noticed a big poster that I had never seen before. It was a picture of free weights of all sizes, lined up on a weight rack. There was a hand, picking up the teensy tinyest weight.
The caption read YOU GOTTA START SOMEWHERE.
Thank You! That poster has probably been up there for a long time, maybe since I joined the gym. I don't know. But today was the day that I saw it. Today was the day that I needed to see it.
We all have to start somewhere. Some of us have a lot of weight to lose. Some of us are just really, REALLY flabby, with no muscle tone.
We all have the choice, for the most part, of what we put in our mouths. Should I buy an orange or a candy bar? Do I really need to put sour cream on my chilli?  We have the choice on whether we want to move our bodies or not. Do I want to sleep in or get up early and hit the gym? Shall I push the button on the elevator or take the stairs? Am I going to drive around and around, searching for a close parking spot or park out in Egypt and walk the extra steps?
So, from now on, when I see people at the gym who have bodies that I envy I will take it, not as discouragement, but as inspiration.  They started somewhere. Maybe someday, someone will look at me and not be discouraged, but be inspired.
You gotta start somewhere. 

All or Nothing?

I haven't exercised since...ummm...I was going to say Friday, but, did I workout on Friday or was it Thursday? Hmm, anyway, Saturday I woke up late, then had to work. Sunday is the Sabbath so I never workout on that day. Then Monday was the surgery date for my two-year old grandson, Brady.  I babysat his younger and older brothers, Josiah, 7 months, and Camron, 4-1/2.  I spent Monday night and Tuesday in the hospital with Brady.
So here it was, Wednesday, half way through another week, and I hadn't done a single thing to get my body moving in the right direction.  I was exhausted and allowed myself to sleep in until 7am.  I knew I had to meet my other daughter, Sam, and her two girls at 9am.
By the time I ate breakfast and cleaned the kitchen it was 8am. I thought, should I just sit around until it is time to leave? Or should I get my workout clothes on and start moving? There was not enough time to go to the gym.
The question: Does it have to be all or nothing?
I used to say "Yes". If I did not have time to get to the gym and have a full hour workout I would just skip it and tell myself I would do better next time.
Well, next time may never come.  There is always an excuse, a reason, a distraction that may keep me from getting my butt out of bed early enough to start my day at the gym.
In the past I have gone weeks, months, without working out because I had the All or Nothing attitude.
Now is the time for changes.  The change I made today is in my attitude.
Even though I only had a half hour before I had to get ready to leave, I put on my workout clothes, including my shoes.  I went out to the living room and just started marching in place. Then I did some jumping jacks.  Then pretended I was jumping rope. (I think I will buy a jump rope!)  Then I pretended I was hula hooping. (I think I'll buy myself a Hula Hoop!)
Before I knew it, 20 minutes had passed and my heart rate was up! Then  I picked up my 5 lb dumbbells and did a workout for my arms and shoulders.
I was sweating, and I felt good.
So, from now on it's not gonna be a question as to whether or not I will work out when time is limited.
I WILL do SOMETHING to move my body, 6 days a week.  No more excuses.
Nike got it right when they said JUST DO IT.  I hope they don't mind if I use that as my motto.

The Journey begins...48 and frumpy to Fit and Fabulous Fifty

So I was cleaning out my sock drawer and found a piece of paper with the date October 23, 2008.  On it was written my stats. You know, my weight, waist, hip.bust size, etc.  Almost 3 years later my Before stats have become the goals.  Instead of going down I have only gone up, in weight, waist, hips, everything.  I realize that this happens to women after 40.  I'm 48.  But does this mean that we should just live with it? I say NO.
On the back page of my SHAPE magazine is a picture of Elle Macpherson, looking fabulous in a teeny, tiny bikini.  She is 48.  Of course she is a former supermodel who has been paid to stay in shape.  Just because I am not being paid, does that mean that I should not care about my body?  I say NO.
Two years ago Valerie Bertinelli was a frumpy 48 year old.  Now she is HOT IN CLEVELAND,  a fit and healthy 50 year old woman who looks better than ever.  I'm no supermodel or actress, but do I really want to keep up with an un-healthy lifestyle and eating habits? I say NO.
It's time to make some changes.
If you know me, you know that I've never actually been what you'd call fat.  I was very skinny most of my life but I've never been in great shape.  That changes NOW!  I have no time and no money.  What I do have is a love of life and a great love for my family.  I don't want to just grow old.  I want to be the best I can be and have the best life that I can with what God has given me.  So I'm gonna lay it all out there, pictures and all.  This is my journey from 48 and Frumpy to Fit and Fabulous Fifty!