Back at it

After a couple of false starts this year, I finally took the plunge and joined a gym. Knowing I have a lot of work to do and we're under a tight budget, I weighed a few different factors - focusing mainly on monthly cost, class schedule, and proximity to our house. The gym I chose is less than a five minute drive, the cheapest option in town, and has a bare bones class schedule. I guess you've gotta sacrifice somewhere!

After signing up, I was excited to do a complimentary fitness assessment with one of the trainers. Boy, was I in for some unsettling news. 

We went through some basic exercises - push-ups, squats, and planks, and it was clear that my core strength was... not what it could be. Stepping on the scale, I knew I was above my comfortable weight, but I'd stayed within five pounds of that, so not too shabby, right? Wrong. He then pulled out a little torture device - calipers - to measure my body fat and the truth hurt. For those not familiar with calipers, check out this video. 

My fitness assessment: below average. 

Well, technically, on the border of below average for a woman my age, but still. I went home and cried. Productive, right? 

I looked up a training plan, based on what the trainer recommended - cardio, core, and weight lifting. Apparently, my "just keep logging more miles running," strategy wasn't the right one. 

I settled on this Women's Health workout program, and have been following it for two and a half weeks now. My diet could be better - I'm still struggling with the urge to binge and a strong sweet tooth - but I'm getting there. I can already feel a difference, not only in my strength, but in my happiness generally. Now I need to keep at it! 

I have a "check-up" with the trainer in a week and a half. Four weeks from our first one - time enough to make a difference, but not too far to lose focus (hopefully!). 

I'm back at it, now I just have to keep at it!