Something Creative

It’s been a while since I posted my intention to get in shape.  Of course at that time I didn’t really say what shape I was going to get into.  After a false start in February I worked hard to get into a routine in March.  While I didn’t go hard every day I was consistent enough to start feeling good about my efforts.  But first let me backtrack to the beginning of February.

I had decided to work on getting more fit.  I have some very specific goals in mind and I’m confident that they are fairly realistic. One of the goals is to be stronger, more flexible & have more stamina as I know that will serve me well in all aspects of my life. I won’t bore you with all the other goals…if you really want to know ask me.

What I  really want to mention is that February was full of good intentions & little else.  By the end of the month I had done little if any exercising to justify the new shoes I had purchased.  To be fair to myself (I know, I’m as shocked as you are…being fair to myself is an unusual occurance.) I started strong.  I strapped on my brand new Ryka’s, put in my new Wii workout disc & set about getting fit.  Of course I barely made it thru the setup process where I was tested on different exercises…let alone the 1/2 hour of aerobics I attempted to complete. This was enough to thoroughly discourage me.  I was excited & set my initial goal a bit high.  Going from total workout reject to an hour of shredding is insane.  One attempt at that & the shoes went back into their box. I was ready to admit defeat before even getting going.

As February ended & March began I could feel the cold fingers of a spring depression creeping in on me.  In order to combat what can become a viscious cycle for me (Feel bad, eatsleepread repeat), I got stern with myself & pulled out the new shoes, the workout pants & my WiiFit.  Since I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress I decided that sweating & boxing were good choices to start.  I’ve also added some yoga poses & aerobics to the routine so that I feel I’m covering the basics to build my stamina, flexibility & strength.

Now after a good, fairly consistent month of exercise I find it has done me some good.  I feel more energetic (when I get the appropriate amount of sleep but that’s another story).  I have noticed that my posture has improved & I walk more fluidly although I am not (and probably never will be graceful).  Some people have even mentioned that I’m starting to look more toned in some areas (I don’t see it but that’s no surprise…I have a blind spot where any of my good qualities may reside).  I do feel a teeny bit pleased that my legs seem to be getting more toned, my derriere is starting to show the advantages of all the step work I’ve been doing (I have a long way to go but it’s a start) & my ab area feels much stronger.  I don’t pant when I jog across the parking lot to my Jeep at the end of the day.  Don’t think I’m really putting a ton of effort into running (This would be sheer insanity on my part if for no other reason than my ankles have been bad since high school track).

Lately I’ve increased the intensity of my workouts as I can tell that I’ve become used to how I started & I need to continue to push myself.  I do longer, harder boxing routines, more step aerobics (with standing crunches, toe touchies & leg kicks added in) & more than the basic side stretch & warrior pose yoga.  In fact I have come to enjoy doing the downward facing dog, palm tree, sun salutation & bridge moves.

My next goal is to feel okay about how I look in dress clothes as I have a dinner date in 4 months.  My sister-in-law Anne & her husband (who is currently in basic training at Ft. Knox) want to go out on a fancy, adults-only, night on the town to celebrate his triumphant return.  Since I don’t want to be the only one wearing a burlap sack I must continue in my quest for fitness…I have some great girl clothes hanging in my closet.  My hope is that come July I can don my fancy duds, my highest heels & get a great pic before dancing & partying the night away.