2011

I just realized it's almost 3 months into the new year and I have not journaled once! I better get on it because it's been an AMAZING year so far!
At the end of 2010, my friend Carrie and I were talking about the changes we wanted to make this year. Losing weight and getting healthy was a big one for both of us. We went to weight watchers together at the beginning of 2010 and walked at lunch for a few months. But, we were both pretty much back to where we started and ready for a change. At one point last year, I mentioned that a friend of a friend ran a fitness boot camp. She brought that up and said we should check it out. I laughed but looked it up and found they had a buy one get one free special for the first week of January. We decided what did we have to lose...we might as well try it.
I was SO scared. I had met the trainer, Clemence before so knew she wasn't scary like some of the trainers on TV. But, even so, I knew this was like nothing I'd ever done before. I really didn't expect to be able to do much the other ladies were doing. I was 2 or 3 times their size and terribly out of shape. But, still I felt like I should try.
The first week was a big turning point for me. I went in hoping I could do it, but really didn't think I could. Everything was hard for me, but I was doing it. I jumped rope for 2 minutes the first day....small feat but for me it was HUGE! I loved the enviroment...I felt like quitting was not even an option. Everyone cheered each other on and it made me want to work harder.
Halfway into the first week, I decided I was going to continue for the rest of January then look at it and see if it was worth the investment to stay in it. During my second week, I decided I'd commit to at least 3 months. I've been going 5 days a week since, and don't plan on quitting anytime this year. I told Kojak I plan to do it for all of 2011, then we'll decide if I should continue or not.
I'm still struggling with eating. But, it has improved. I know this is going to be the hardest part of this journey. I did great the first few weeks, but then would binge on junk, mostly fast food and ice cream/cookies.
Some of my co-workers are having a contest (pretty much lent but we can't call it lent). 40 days of giving up something. I chose sweets, and I'm on day 21 so far. That is amazing for me....I don't think I've ever gone 21 days without chocolate, ice cream, cake, cookies, etc. It feels great to be free of that junk! I want to go 100 days....then we'll see...maybe long =) After I hit 30 days, I'm gonna add no fast food. If I can go 30 days without chocolate, I can go 30 days without cheeseburgers! =)
Even with my never ending food struggles, I've lost about 37 lbs since the beginning of January. It's a little slower than I'd like considering how much I'm exercising, but I'm okay with that.
In addition to fit camp in the mornings, I walk at lunch and both my breaks ( I just started that a few weeks ago) and have been climbing stairs as well. I haven't been as consistent with the stairs as I'd like to be. I'll go every day for a week then skip a week or two. The stairs I climb have about 215 stairs, and I've done anywhere from 1-4 times. I'm going to do them again today and plan to do at least 4 sets 3 times a week consistently.
Last week I participated in THE BIG CLIMB for the Leukemia and Lymphoma societies. We climbed 69 stories of the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle. I've been talking about doing it since January but really didn't think I would. They sold out in February so I figured I'd do it next year but one of the girls I workout with signed up early then sprained her ankle. My trainer told her I'd take her place...so I did.
I'm so glad I did! I was slow and sweaty....but I made it! All 1311 stairs. I can't explain the feeling of accomplishment I had after doing that. I know it might seem like a fairly small thing....but it was something I never could have imagined myself doing....so it felt great.

I am reluctant to say I know that this time is 'the time' because I've said it all before. But, I think this is the first time I've ever been consistent with exercise for 3 straight months. I think I've set myself up to succeed, and I really can see it happening.