Who Is This Girl?

That's what I was thinking today as I caught myself in the mirror every time I painstakingly reached my feet on the sit up board at the gym. I mean, really . . . a few months ago, the thought of spending an hour at the gym would have been laughable. I was sure I couldn't even do a push up, let alone spend an hour there.

Then I got this postcard in the mail. It was for a local gym that was offering a great deal for membership. I signed up right away (happy birthday to me, thanks mom!) and knew that I would never survive in a gym without some accountability. So I signed up with a trainer. Apparently the guy I was assigned to generally works with the 35 and older crowd. I now fall into that category:) He wasn't intimidating and didn't push me too hard, but let me tell you . . . I am sore after every appointment with him.

I have been going 3-4 times a week since Christmas and feel like a pro. I know how to use all the machines (although I'd be perfectly happy just staying on the elliptical for the whole time), have lifted weights in the highly intimidating "man weightlifting" section, and have stuck to my routine for over a month now. This is all coming from the girl who pretty much hasn't exercised regularly since college and even that is questionable.

Although I welcome any weight loss, that is not my main goal. I just got to the point where I wanted to feel better. I was so tired all day and just didn't feel good about my body after three babies. I now have some strength in my body and can feel good about the way I look knowing that I am doing my best to stay fit.

During my first day at the gym, my trainer told me that a large percentage of their memberships come from January New Year's resolutions and that 80% of those people never come back after March. I am determined to not be a part of that 80%. For me, this has been a lifestyle change, not something I am just trying out for a while. I love it, I feel better, and am thankful for my experience there.