Getting off the couch

As I mentioned a few months ago, my neighbor convinced me to join Farrell's for a 10-week boot camp that started at the end of March.  For anyone that knows me, my workout routine has been next to nothing for a while now.   For some reason I said yes (because I had no reason to say no, other than because I was so out of shape) and I started super nervous on the first day (they expected me to run an entire mile!)   The classes were difficult.  I did not remember that I could sweat so much or be so sore.   It was hard.  Really hard.  Really, really, really hard.   But I did it.

Fast forward 10-weeks.  I could run that mile without stopping and actually dropped 2-minutes off of my original time.   I also tripled the number of sit-ups I could do in a minute, and improved on my push-ups as well.   I felt better and had more energy that I did at the beginning of the adventure.  But it was also the end of the 10-week course.

While I really enjoyed Farrell's, and loved the motivation it gave me to change my workout habits, I also realized that I needed more variety if I was going to make this a lifestyle change instead of just a short-term adjustment.   I knew that the timing of Farrell's ending at the same time as I took my exam meant that come that first Monday morning after the exam when I didn't have to be anywhere at 5AM in the morning, I was going to have a hard time getting out of bed.   I also knew that I needed an instructor to push me to my limits.  At this point, I knew I couldn't keep up with what I had started unless I had somewhere to be at a certain time.   I decided I needed to join a gym that would offer classes that I was interested in doing, at the time that worked into my schedule (which just so happens to be 5AM in the morning!)    I ended up joining a new gym that opened up at the end of May, LifeTime Fitness.   I looked into various options and this one offers me exactly what I am looking for in terms of class options and times.  It also happens to be absolutely amazing, right down to a hot tub in the bathroom! 

Five weeks after joining the gym I have worked out 6 times each week.   I have tried a variety of classes and already have my favorites (I love this one called Strike! that incorporates kickboxing and martial arts).  I get out of bed at 4:35AM because I want to, not because I have to or feel like I need to.  I love that when I arrive at the gym each morning I am greeted by name before I even hand them my membership card.  I love that the instructors single me out by name in a class of 40 people, which pushes me to work out that much harder. Seriously- props to the gym for personal service!   I love that when I go into work each morning I know I have my workout complete, and didn't give up any family time in the process.   I also love that Ellie asks me if I worked out each morning, and I can say yes. 

I just love it, and I can feel it becoming a lifestyle change instead of something I am doing for the time being.