I’ve had a lot of ups and downs while on my weight loss journey but I am so very proud to say that I’ve had more downs than ups…weightwise.  I am still very much enjoying working out and toning up.  I’ve taken a lot of classes at the gym and have only found one or two that I didn’t care for. 

I enjoy jogging, lifting weight, pilates, yoga, power yoga, Zumba and spinning.  One of the things that really boosted my weight loss and love of the gym was going with my husband to work out.  He is such a great motivator and trainer.  I loved having him by my side, giving me tips and pushing me to do more. 

I didn’t really take part in the last challenge for the Sisterhood but I figure that the site was a big part of the beginning of my weight loss journey and so as the site and myself celebrate a year of fitness and weight loss, Iwill join them for this next challenge.  I am on my way to the gym in a little bit here so I will do my first weigh-in tonight while I am there.  The home scale says 130lbs.  we’ll see what the doctor office style scale says. My guess?  133lbs. 

Will you be joining the Sisterhood?!

 I can’t quite express how happy I am to say that.  I did say the same thing last week but I was still very stuffed and congested so I didn’t go.  I finally feel like I can go and get something done and feel good about it rather than go and regret overdoing it.  Tomorrow evening is the yoga class then the rest of the week I will go in the mornings with Chuck.  It has been two weeks since I have been to the gym and that is just awful.  I hate it.  I feel like I am back to square one and I have to start all over again.  I hope to get back into the rhythmm quickly. 

This coming week is the final week of my twenties.  On the 19th, I will be turning 30.  As I said on Flickr, I don’t feel upset or sad about turning 30 because many times I still get comments that I “look like a teenager and there is no way possible that I am 29 years old!”  It’s funny when people react to that.  I still feel like a kid though. I don’t necessarily feel like an adult and most times I have to sit back and remind myself that I am an adult with real responsibilities and HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN??!!!    A lot of my friends are already 30 or will be turning 30 shortly.  Maybe the reason that I still feel like a teenager is because most of the friends I have now, have been my friends since childhood so if we all grew up together, we’re all still the same age, right?! 

My husband was going to throw me a surprise birthday party but the finances just aren’t right right now and I would hate for him to throw me a party when that money could be better used for bills.  We will still have a small party here at home with just the five of us and I will probably bake a cake but nothing fancy.  I have to work and Jada has dance class that day anyway…and I will have yoga!   Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a big, exciting day…who wouldn’t want to be in the spotlight for the day?!….but it’s not necessary.  I was going to write about the things I am looking forward to in my thirties but I will save that thought for another post!

I am looking ahead to getting back into better shape and my last week in my twenties!  Hope it’s a good week!!

Yesterday I mentioned that I might write about my feelings on the gym today.  So, that’s what I’ll do. I have nothing else to write about unless you want to hear about my never-ending laundry and how I never have it all done because with five people in this house, one day of clothing equals one load of laundry….yeah, I thought I’d spare you that one!

Where was I?  The gym…right.  Let’s see, I joined on November 6th.  Since then, I have been there five times and I love it.  The first day, I took it slow, did everything on level one with very little exertion because I did not want to be all sore and unable to move the next day.  Also, I didn’t really think I could do much more than that.  Each time I have gone, I have worked out for an hour.  It feels good.  It feels like I am accomplishing more than I thought I could.  Yes, I get sweaty and gross but that is a good thing.  My heart is pumping.

I usually do the elliptical machine, the bike and the treadmill.  I usually do 20 minutes on each machine.  I have worked my way up already to do some jogging on the treadmill.  This is progress for me because I am definitely not a runner.  I did run track one year in junior high but it was short distance running.  I only jog for five minutes but I am sure that if I stick with it, I can extend that a little each time.  I could one day be the jogger that I’ve always longed to be.

The gym is also a stress reliever for me. It is an hour that I escape all the pressures and stresses of real life.  Instead I get to think about how many calories I’m burning, what speed I’m going, how much longer I have to go, etc. 

I haven’t really set a goal for myself as far as weight loss goes.  I’m sort of winging it and going from there.  I have lost a few pounds in the one week of going and that was a shocker.  I am proud of myself and already feeling better about myself because I am finally doing something instead of just talking about doing it. 

I do believe that when May rolls around, I will be so much better than I am now and I won’t be fearing the bathing suit as much as I fear it now! 

The bonus to joining the gym?  I get to see my friend every time I am there!