One MONTH of Fitness

I can’t believe it, but I’ve managed to maintain a consistent exercise regimen for ONE WHOLE MONTH now. In fact, my first step towards fitness was a Boot Camp class on the morning of Wednesday, November 17. Since then, I have attended:

• 14 Boot Camp sessions
• 3 Bar Method classes (did you know that Bar Method was initially categorized as Alcohol & Bars in Mint? Too funny!)
• 1 Zumba class

That’s a grand total of 18 hours of exercise over the past 30 days. Oy, it sounds so little now that I’ve actually put it that way….

With the exception of the very first week (i.e. when I started on a Wednesday), I have completed 3-4 hours of moderate to intensive cardio and strength exercises every single week. It’s a little surprising, even to me, that I have stuck with this – given that I have led a sedentary life for the past, oh, 10 years. (I still do not enjoy exercise).

Appearance:

I haven’t seen any difference yet (I suspect my diet is to blame – healthy eating is hard, especially with all the treats lurking about during the holidays). I also haven’t weighed or measured myself. All that will come in January when I get my six-week check-in, but I don’t want to be discouraged prematurely. Aside from the vanity reasons of getting in shape, this whole process is really about living a healthier life. Right?

Strength:

Am I stronger? I want to say YES! Just a little bit. I can do 20 modified push-ups in a row. I can hold a straighter plank for longer. The one place that I can really feel that I am working on strength is in the Bar Method. I can honestly say that I find very little joy in the exercises… it’s all I can do to keep breathing and not blurt out WHAT ANOTHER 30 REPS?! But then the hour is over and I think, oh, I can do this again. The power of selective memory…

Cardio:

I can run for 10 minutes now… still don’t like it though! I would like to like running because it’s such an inexpensive way to get good cardio exercise. But I don’t, maybe after I build up more stamina?

Flexibility:

When I first started working out, I was shocked by how inflexible I had become: I could barely touch my fingers to my calves! Growing up, I participated in gymnastics and dance, so I always had this idea in my head that I am flexible. Turns out, I WAS flexible. But exercise is bringing it back. Now, I can touch my fingertips to the ground, which I think is fairly good process for just a month of periodic stretching and exercise.

I am really happy about my progress so far, although I can definitely do better. I am looking to add a Tai Chi class into my rotation, and just bump up my Boot Camp classes to 4 classes per week, and my Bar Method classes to 2 times a week for the next 30 days.

Thank you to everyone who have shared your fitness stories and ideas, and who have encouraged me. It means a lot.

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3. Working Out: Necessary Evil or Truly Enjoyable?