1. Where am I now? My one little word for 2011 is "health," and I started at the beginning of the year to focus on weight loss and fitness. And now, half way through the year, I can say that I have lost 20 pounds. I can fit into all my work clothes again (I was down to one pair of work pants in January). I can run a mile in just over 8 minutes. And I can lift weights for an hour. I am getting back into shape, and I feel good.
2. How did I get here? Well, in January, I started eating a little better and doing light exercise. All I could really manage at that time was yoga and walking (usually for 20 minutes). In February, I overcame my fear of the scale, saw that I weighed more than I ever had in my life and joined Weight Watchers on line. In March, I joined a gym and started doing 2-3 classes a week (yoga, weight lifting and conditioning). And, later that month, I started running. At the time, I could barely run/walk a mile, but that was a huge improvement. In April, I started working out in a small group personal training setting. Through it all, I've continued with Weight Watchers.
3. What does my current fitness routine look like? I work out 6-7 days a week. Twice a week, I work out for an hour with a small group and a personal trainer. That's Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:30. We do cardio (usually running) and then do intensive circuit training to build strength and burn more fat. I run on my own twice a week -I'm up to 5 kilometers (just over 3 miles). I usually do this on Saturday and Monday. I also continue to take yoga classes (1-2x a week - usually Wednesday and Sunday). Most weeks I'll either go for a long walk or take another weight training class on another day. I'm also continuing to do weight watchers. I'd like to lose another ten pounds by the end of the year [don't worry about me withering away - I can certainly lose that much (and even more) and still not be considered "thin."]
4. Doesn't this take a lot of time? Yes, it does. Counting the time it takes to get ready, drive to class and take class (or run) , cool down, shower and change, I'm devoting 1.5-2 hours per day to working out. It means that there's other things I don't have time for, but for me, this year at least, it's been worth it. I am doing a little less for my kids each day, but at 13 and 16, they can take on more responsibility. Especially if it means I'll be around when they are are 33 and 36 (or 43 and 46, etc.). I have made getting healthy and fit a priority, and I know it will be worth it in the long run. Which leads me to,
5. Why am I doing this? I'm doing this because I want to be healthy and strong for myself, my husband and my kids. I want to be active and vital and alive for a long time to come. I've always thought of myself as "fit" and have usually been the kind of
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