My Fitness Journey

To becoming healthier, one baby step at a time (and how I accidentally landed on this path)

[findinganewme2]

I’m just over here contemplating big life changes. As we are walking that path, my anxiety has been through the roof…. To the extent where I keep finding myself frozen when it comes to making everyday choices. The one thing that has helped? Working out. Going to the Y, moving my body. So I keep stepping forward. Every day, one step forward.

[findinganewme2]

Every day is a new chance to make a difference. I need to remember that I always feel better when I exercise. I need to remember to choose to workout. It reduces my stress and my joints just feel better after exercising.

Was away for a week - and it's hard to jump back in again. But I did. And I'm stronger for it.

[findinganewme2]

I talked to a family member on the way to the Y this morning. It’s become a weekend thing - we workout Saturday or Sunday mornings. My family member says to me good for you for working out. It got me to thinking.. I mean, yeah. But I feel so much better on the mornings I workout. My joints feel better, mentally my days are so much better if I workout, and I sleep so much better those days too. Plus I am stronger, I feel stronger, the weights I’m pushing are higher. It is good for me. And? If I can do it, anyone can. I was so out of shape when I started. I’m still overweight, but I try hard not to focus on weight as a number, but focus instead on staying active, working out, and moving my body.

[findinganewme2]

Yesterday was one of those days. I woke up in a bad mood. I didn’t sleep well, things didn’t go my way, and I couldn’t motivate myself to do much of anything, including even biking. Start to finish it was a cranky day. Today I got up, and made myself go to my small group class. It was a cardio day, and I partnered with a frequent workout buddy. We motivate each other. The end of class was a reminder to me why I workout as often as I do. The cardio burned away the last remnants of my bad mood. I felt so much better - and thought to myself, why didn’t I do this yesterday. So. Do hard things. Even when you don’t want to.

[findinganewme2]

My class is typically strength/lifting on Tuesdays and cardio on Thursdays. Tuesdays we do less reps with heavier weights, Thursdays more reps with lighter weights. Why is it cardio days hit so hard?? I am so much stronger than I was, and I need to keep telling myself that.

[findinganewme2]

Jumping back in post vacation and as easier than I thought it would be. I feel myself getting stronger. It’s an amazing feeling. 20 minutes warming up on the bike is nothing but a blip these days. I need to venture out towards other cardio options.

[findinganewme2]

Spent the week in the mountains - my only exercise was hiking. In the realm of small wins - my knee didn’t give me the grief it has in the past. Step by step I’m getting stronger.

[findinganewme2]

Today was a cardio day. Why is it cardio feels so much harder than strength some days? It was a good workout…. My advice for today? Again…. Do hard things. Step out into discomfort, it’s worth it in the end. Thankful for the people I train with, and being able to move forward in this journey.

[findinganewme2]

Big and small wins. Today was a strength day. Heavy weights with contrasting explosive moves (without weights). I used across the board 20lb weights - which a year ago I wasn’t even close to that. The explosive moves were a lot of jumping - I usually modify those types of moves. I jumped for every single move. I modified slightly, but I did it. I am sure I’ll be sore later, but right now I’m so dang pleased with myself.

Here’s my advice… do hard things. It’s hard to walk into the gym, it’s hard taking a new class, or trying something new. But do it. There is so much good that comes from strength training.

[findinganewme2]

Good work out, good weekend. Got a hike in this weekend, and a workout at the gym. In small gains - my knees didn’t hurt after the hike. I am still slow, but I didn’t take any Advil afterwards. It was a good hike.

Todays workout was pull-up clinic, push-up clinic, and a squat clinic - it was tough and used so many muscles, but I feel good now.

Strength training has so many benefits. It has been so so good for me.

[findinganewme2]

Another Sunday morning workout. I’ve really come to enjoy our new Sunday routine. My goal isn’t weight loss (though I wouldn’t complain if I lost weight). My goal is to get stronger, to feel better step by step. To be able to do the hiking we’ve got planned this summer. Stronger every day!

[findinganewme2]

Good workout with good people this week. Working out with people who push you up, and make you stronger is such a bonus. My small group has had the same women for several months now, and it’s been a very positive experience.

[findinganewme2]

Box jumps and Bulgarian split squats - amongst other things - but both are two things I could not do at all 6 months ago. My box jump was on a step with no risers - so super flat - but more than I could do 6 months ago. I take my small wins when they come!

[findinganewme2]

Wrapping up January. I exercises 6 days a week all month - according to my Fitbit. Not always big exercises, sometimes just something small, like a walk - but it was something every day. I struggle sometimes to keep moving forward, so I’m proud of this baby step forward. And I did something every Sunday. It’s been our new years routine… we get up and hit the Y when it opens.

Strength workout today during small group. It was a good one - that dang barbell came out again. It’s my nemesis, but again I conquered my fear. It feels good when I can push through something knowing I can do it, even if it scares me a smidge.

[findinganewme2]

Was dragging this morning - couldn’t find a ton of motivation. But I dragged myself to the Y to workout… afterwards I remember - I always feel better after I work out. Always. It’s a good day.

[findinganewme2]

I’ve come to love Sunday mornings. We are empty nesters. My youngest is a freshman in college - so it’s still new to me. Recently (since end of December), we go to the Y on Sundays when they open. I bike for 20ish minutes or so, and then do 2 circuits of the egym. Great way to start the week!!

[findinganewme2]

Small wins

So box jumps have been a huge fear of mine. I have knee issues, and jumping/high impact isn’t something I do a lot of. We had a partner workout today that involved box jumps or step ups. I normally do the step ups. Today I tried again - and in full disclosure it was with one of the step ups with no risers, so super super low, but I did it. My mind and body didn’t revolt, and it felt okay. Which is huge. And also huge because the cold cold weather down here has had my knees complaining all weekend. So huge in many ways.