Conquering Unfamiliar Territory

A little over a month ago, I entered a world that was quite unfamiliar to me; a world of which I had previously been pretty much terrified.  It is a cold, hard world in which pain is not only acceptable, but desired.  In this world, one might anticipate hearing the clanging of heavy metal, wailing and gnashing of teeth.  It is a house of torture for which people, myself included, pay good money!  That world, as you've probably guessed, is the GYM!

After four sessions with my trainer, however, I am becoming more acclimated to this foreign land…and have bravely begun to explore its resources.  Last week, my friend and I decided we would go to a core workout class.  It couldn't be that bad.  After all, it was only a 30 minute class. No cardio.  Easy breezy, right?  WRONG!!!  

At first, it wasn't so bad.  We did a few yoga-ish moves, some lunges, some squats, typical core moves. Of course, I couldn't do all the moves correctly, but I gave it a good try.  I was feeling pretty good about my efforts until she said the word "plank."  OK.  Now, I really wasn't aware that we would be belly down on the floor, so I didn't bring a mat.  April and I grabbed a towel for this part.  The instructor told us to go to our elbows and "hover."  Now that was tough!  THEN, she had us do this move called a "walking hover" or something like that.  Oh, merciful Heaven!  I am pretty sure that I looked like Patrick the Starfish from SpongeBob flopping around on a beach trying to get back into the ocean!  It was tragic!  I've still got scabs on my elbows from the towel burns that little move caused!  When I finally decided that there was no way on earth I was going to be able to perform this feat, I just lay there on my belly wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into!  It was the longest 30 minutes of my life!  But I survived and was actually able to do my own version of the routines.  I didn't say it was pretty or correct, but I was moving!  Ya gotta start somewhere!  

Each day gets a little easier, and I grow a little more confident.  I try to make sure I work out at least 5 days per week, and although I wouldn't exactly say I'm exactly killing any particular workout, I am making progress.  It makes me feel successful when I feel my muscles ache a little because I have given them a good workout.  I really believe my balance is improving (if you know me, you know that is a good thing!  I am a klutz!), and I do feel stronger!

I worked out with my trainer on Tuesday and, as is the routine, weighed and measured prior to the workout.  My weight was 191.  I officially hit the 40 pound weight loss mark!!!  I also lost over another inch on my hips and my waist!  Celebration time!!!  

Tonight, after Todd and I worked out at Better Bodies, I had him take this photo of my with a 40 pound dumbbell, which was stinking heavy to lift!  

It is hard to believe that 2 1/2 months ago, that much extra weight was on my body!  It is no wonder my feet and knee stayed so angry!  What a relief that I could just put that dumbbell back on the rack and walk away from those 40 pounds…never looking back!  This journey just keeps getting better and better!

Blessings!

Pssst…I have a secret!

This post comes with a disclaimer:  the contents of this post are, by no means, intended to be risqué or skanky!  Now, with that said, a terrific milestone was reached today!!!  Before I tell you, allow me to lay the foundation for the story.

For the past 4 years or so, I have depended heavily (pun intended) upon Lane Bryant for the bulk of my wardrobe.  This included items not seen by anyone except occasionally my hubby.  Victoria, unfortunately, did not have any secrets in my size.  I longed for the day when I could once again shop among the "angels" in that store plastered in tacky shades of pink.  (An important, yet somewhat unrelated, side note is that I have ALWAYS dreamt of looking hott in a "little black dress.")

My 48th birthday was just two days before my gastric sleeve procedure.  My precious man, with the shopping assistance of our daughter, Emily, gave me two of the most thoughtful gifts I could have ever received: a size 12 "little black dress" to shrink into, and a gift card to Victoria's Secret for when my current secrets became too big!!!  How sweet is that?!?  

I'm sure it will come as no surprise where this story is going, so I'll just spit it out!  I was finally able to use part of that gift card on THREE secrets!!! One is actually for the gym, and the other two are very modest because that's how I roll!  They've got the little VS heart on them, nonetheless!  

A very kind lady name Susan measured me and helped me find just the right fit, then helped me find a couple of pretty colors.  As I stood in the long line with all the other women purchasing their pretty little secrets, I actually kinda felt like an angel…at least like I was in Heaven.  I know this may seem very superficial and vain, but this is a really big deal to a girl!  Finally, it was my turn to pay!  I proudly set my items on the counter, pulled my pink, sparkly gift card that read "Happy Birthday Sexy" out of my wallet, and watched the sales clerk put my secrets into a hot pink bag.  

Surprisingly, she did not wrap them in tissue paper, which was something I thought they always did, so I kinda whispered, "Could you just put a little tissue paper over them?"  I could not just walk through the mall with every Tom, Dick, and Harry seeing my secrets!  She was happy to oblige.  She understood.

With my bag of now discreetly covered secrets in tow, I walked out of that store with the biggest grin on my face!  I think I might have even clicked my heels together in my mind. Never again will I have to feel the sadness and defeat of not being able to shop in that store.  Another VICTORY!!!  It may just be a small victory, but it is MINE!!!