The workout is working!

I'm happy to report that after just 3 weeks of my new fitness program, I am seeing some really good results! My body feels more like it used to before I gained weight, and I have lost 3 pounds! My belly is flatter and my thighs are slimmer. I've been wearing jeans and skirts I haven't been able to wear for several months. I'm really happy with the progress, and it is keeping me motivated. I downloaded an app on my iPhone which allows me to keep track of calories in, and I think this is helping me not only to watch how much I eat, but also what I eat. I'm eating healthier foods, more natural and less processed. I'm also eating more protein and fruits and vegetables. I've discovered farro, which is a grain cultivated in ancient times. It has become a popular item with chefs world wide, and it makes a great side dish. It is also a healthy grain, and can be used in all sorts of ways. It's easy to prepare, and can be adapted to most recipes where you might use rice or pasta. I highly recommend it.

I've been working out twice a week with my fitness group, and once a week we have a nutrition class. We are also supposed to work out on our own another three times a week, and I've done that this week. I have a one-hour yoga class each week, and I've been walking a mile or a mile and a half. This week I added strength training and used the weight equipment at our gym at work. I feel more energetic and the fact that my muffin-top has diminished is really encouraging me to keep going!

I decide to de-clutter

For a few years (I won't say how many), I've been meaning to organize my bedroom and get rid of the piles of clothing and other stuff cluttering up the place. Last week I took a giant leap in accomplishing just that. I had an old chest of drawers that was given to us when we lived in Arkansas back in 1979. This thing was large, clunky, and took up a bunch of space, but had not much space for actual clothing. A few weeks ago I was at Ikea with my son and his girlfriend, and I saw a bookcase (Expedit, in case you're interested). It had 16 "cubbies" and you could purchase bins which fit like drawers in the openings. I decided that it would make a wonderful replacement for the old relic in my room, taking up less space and holding more clothing. I went back to Ikea last Friday and purchased the bookcase and 16 of the bins to go with it. Saturday and Sunday were spent putting it together. Sunday afternoon I hauled the old chest to the curb and replaced it with the clean, modern new unit. What a difference! I unloaded everything from the chest and put it in the new setup. I also emptied four rolling carts full of clothes and put them in as well. After all that, I still had 5 empty bins! Amazing! And since I was moving stuff around and getting rid of piles, I was forced to clean and throw out old magazines, books, and other "stuff" that was just cluttering up the place. I can't tell you how good it felt to look around and see everything clean, organized and in its place. I've decided I'm going to do this with the rest of the house, room by room. The Goodwill and Salvation Army better watch out...I'll be bringing in a ton of stuff!

Fitness, Day Two

We had our second workout session yesterday, and I can feel it today, especially in my shoulders and thighs. On the other hand, I did survive the workout. It was cross-training, with aerobics and strength training stations. I kind of liked it better, because we had lots of variations and only spent 30 seconds at each station. We made it through the first round of stations (there were 15), and when we finished, our instructor told us to "do it again!" So we did, only this time we were supposed to "step it up" and do each excercise faster. Well, I was beat from doing the first round, so I didn't step it up too much, I'm afraid. Our homework is to walk, run, or jog a mile and time how long it takes. With my knees, I know I'll be walking, but I'll try to walk at a faster pace than just a leisurely stroll.

We also had our first nutrition session and learned quite a bit about fat and calories. One really useful tidbit I learned is that a 5 oz. glass of pino noir is only about 70 calories. I know what I'll be drinking from now on!

Fitness, Day One

Well, I survived the first workout...that alone is quite an achievement. Let's face it, I thought I was in OK shape, just a little belly fat; nothing too dramatic. Boy, howdy, was I wrong! Ten minutes into the workout, I realized that I was not in as good shape as I thought. I was struggling to keep up with the moves, and sweat was pouring off me. I didn't know I had that much perspiration in me! We were moving, moving, moving...marching and running in place, doing lunges, jumping jacks, and lord knows what else. We also had a push-up test. We were charged with doing as many push-ups as we could in one minute. I did ten, and was surprised I did that! Well, I've got nowhere to go but up, right? We will have round two this afternoon. I'm hoping I get better at this....