9 Weeks to Go
Hmmmm. First of all, I gotta say that blogging this is a little tedious right now, but I know at the end of the experience I'll be happy to look back over my progress. I've always had a different view of blogging here at Salon as surpassing the trite journal entry theme of most blog communities. It seems that mostly we produce well thought out, well written essays and stories that challenge the intellect and produce a few tears here and there.
But for me, right now, the journal entry works. Hopefully, some readers will feel inspired to get off their butts and go walk around the block or take an exercise class. I have no idea how I got out of my slump of a sedentary life style -- what is it that changed within me to encourage me to take this course. I'm thankful I did. I cannot believe how much better I feel already. I have TONS more energy and my mental outlook is completely different. One of my life challenges is that I'm pretty obsessive/compulsive: if I get started on something then I'll do it to the point of being slightly crazy with it. That's why I have a little trouble with drinking and drug use: once I start it WATCH OUT! I think in this case it is okay to be a little obsessed. I mean, I'm so out of shape now that it will take obsession to get healthy.
It's better for my family too. We have been very bad for each other, sorta feeding into our own shortcomings. For instance, Thing Two loves to watch television, and when Mommy doesn't have the energy to get out of the house and find fun things to do, Thing Two is perfectly content to watch television to the point of becoming rather like a zombie. And also, when Mommy collapses on the couch when she gets home from school, then Daddy is more likely to say, "Come on, let's go out to eat tonight" so that Mommy doesn't have to expell any more energy providing for her family. So far we haven't eaten out since I started this last week. That may not sound amazing to you, but for us, we have saved around $300.00 just by eating at home. And the kids are getting to bed earlier and eating more nutritious food because of it.
Anyway, the first week has been hell but I'm so thankful that I'm doing it. It really helps to have friends involved. D has been an amazing help. She encourages me daily, checking in to see what I'm eating and when I'm going to class. She'll even laugh at me during class and keep my spirits up. J is doing great: she smiles through her work out and gives me a high five when she realizes that she is actually doing it! And T is probably having the hardest time of all of us because she is the only one who is employed full time. She is a PA for a neurosurgeon and sometimes spends 8 hours in the operating room just to rush outta the hospital to come to class.
We have two other friends who aren't taking the course but working out at home, and it is a very satisfying feeling that we are all doing this together. They make it through their exercise tapes every morning because they know that later in the day, the four of us will be dragging ourselves to class and really sweating it out.
So here's your challenge: eat better, get moving, and let me know how you're doing!
8:54:14 AM 
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