I did it. I took the first step!
Our family joined the YMCA on Sunday, all seven of us. We qualified for a reduced rate, which made the cost affordable. It’s something we had planned to do with some of our tax return, actually. The fact that they have child care available makes it possible, and even an attractive option some days! 😉
When we joined, we were given the option to meet with a trainer and get started on a program of some sort. Husband and I took advantage of the opportunity, and we had our appointments today. Once we filled out this form and that, and answered a few questions, we were shown to the basic cardio machines-the treadmill and the cycle.
It might be important to note here that the last on-purpose time I exercised was in my freshman year of high school, when I took my final Physical Education credit. That was the 1988-1989 school year. Since then I’ve more than doubled my weight and my age.
In the last six years, I’ve gained even more weight, and I’ve lost any stamina I had. The ugly truth is that I don’t even stand up to cook dinner or clean my house most of the time. Yes, that’s right. I’m not just fat, I’m that fat. I have an old office chair that I use to roll around the kitchen. I don’t drop the three year old off in the church nursery because I’d have to go up a flight of stairs, then back down, then across a large foyer, and then up another flight of stairs to our classroom. It’s too much. I don’t have the stamina. I don’t do a lot of things simply because I end up winded, with a back ache, and my legs “feel the burn”.
Today was the first step toward change. Once the trainer “turned us loose”, I hit the treadmill, but I was ready to stop after about three minutes. I couldn’t believe it, but then again, I could. I’m that out of shape. I stuck to the treadmill for five minutes, and then I went on to the bike. I rode for five minutes, and I took a one minute break before putting in another five minutes. I pushed myself the last minute, almost doubling my average speed. I would have stopped there, but the machine said I had ridden .68 of a mile, so I challenged myself to go .75 of a mile before stopping. I did a 16 minute workout today. It’s not much. Not much at all, really. But remember, I don’t usually even get my own drinks from the refrigerator. I have a houseful of people that can get me one on their way by. I didn’t join the Y to lose weight; I joined the Y to gain strength and stamina, and I’m well on my way. One minute at a time.
Here are my “before” pictures…just home from my first YMCA work out.
Mouthfuls & Mutterings 
As always, I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you making this effort and I’m even more proud of you for putting the pure truth out there:-)
My dear cousin, I am more proud of you for taking this step then you could ever know!!! So very proud. Keep a journal. It’s something I wish I had done. You’ll be doubling and tripling your workouts in no time, and before long, you’ll look back and think, “man, I can’t believe I thought this was hard”. So proud. 😀
I am very proud of you. Yes, you only did 16 minutes of exercise. But it was 16 minutes of exercise! Keep it up, girl! 🙂
Sounds like a great step in the right direction! Good luck!
Hear, hear! That is awesome. Working out is something I really don’t enjoy…never have. However, I love how good I feel when I actually manage to set aside the time. You will get there. Just keep at it.
Way to go Valerie ! That is 16 more minutes of exercise than I did today! Lol.
I am SO Proud of your start. Focus on your little steps. Your blog can be your journal like Janina suggested. Then we can encourage you every step of the way 🙂
I think that’s wonderful of you. Remember the journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step. Cliche’ but true. I am out of shape too and you are motivating me to think of getting back where I need to be. Keep up the good work.