But guess what? I do! And to be completely honest, I feel just a wee bit proud of myself when I reach in for my checkbook and see them there. You see, I've always been a very non-physical person. I played volleyball in high school just long enough to get my letter and that was the end of it. I didn't like sweat, I didn't like the attitudes and I didn't like the competition. Somehow, in the last year, I've become a changed woman. I like sweat! (Still don't like the other two)

What happened, you may wonder? I think it had something to do with realizing that I was 39.  I began feeling strongly compelled to get myself back in shape before I hit the big 4-0! Then there's the fact that I've had gestational diabetes and being overweight greatly increases my risk at ending up with Diabetes later in life. Exercise is the number one way to avoid the disease. A nearby town (ten miles away) opened a gym and I talked a friend into joining with me. Over the last several months we've spurred and prodded one another on toward our fitness goals.

Admittedly, I've been lax the last six weeks or so. Therefore, I decided to blog and publicly force myself back into action. You may notice when I started this blog I commented that I would write on creative homeschooling, frugality and fitness. The "Fitness" category has remained conspicuously absent. Well, no more!  I'm back on track!

Actually, I haven't been doing too badly, considering where I was when I started. My definition of "slacking" has definitely changed. After joining the gym I worked out consistently, mostly doing cardio and using some of the weight machines. I was working out approximately 5 days a week for 1 to 1.5 hrs. In three months I lost 10 lbs. I was pretty bummed, but forced myself to continue on.

Then our gym ran a Body For Life contest for a free membership. (I'm still waiting to see if I won) I'd checked the book out of the library previously, and decided it really wasn't THAT different than what I was already doing. Well, when they initiated the contest I decided to do the program "by the book", mostly just to prove to myself that it wouldn't make that much difference. Know what? I was WRONG!! I lost 22 lbs. and lots of inches in 12 weeks. It truly works.

The program consists of six mini-meals (200-300 calories) a day, lots of water, lots of free weights (not the machines) and minimal high-intensity cardio. I was actually spending LESS time in the gym and eating more than I had been before and I was losing twice as much! It was really amazing. I encourage anyone interested in becoming fit (not just losing weight) to look into the program.

As far as weight loss goes, it can be deceptive. My Mom also recently lost pounds but wasn't doing any type of weight training. When we got together last, she weighed ten pounds less than I did (we're nearly the same height) but anyone would most likely have thought I weighed less. Being fit and losing weight are NOT the same thing.

In future posts I hope to share more on this subject to encourage and motivate you toward reaching your fitness goals, as well as keep myself moving forward. (I still have another 15-20 lbs. I'd like to lose)

The one tip I'd most encourage anyone starting out on the fitness journey to use is to take a beginning photo and follow up every ten pounds. It's amazing the difference that the camera will show as opposed to what you might notice. Sometimes, the change seems so slow that it feels imperceptible. Those photos are irrefutable proof.

I'll include some of mine here. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo at the beginning of my journey. It's amazing to me to notice the difference in the fit of the T-shirt. See what a difference ten pounds makes?

Please email me if you'd like a link to my Body-For-Life shots. They are not flattering, nor are they modest (closest thing I had to a bikini). I'd just as soon not publicly post them, but if someone is seriously interested in the program I'm happy to share how a "real-live normal person" looks before and after the program. (No special diets, tans, professional photos, etc.) Sorry, ladies only please.

NOTE: I DO realize these pants are too short. I DO NOT work out in this outfit! LOL I started taking pics in tight clothes and just had to stick w/them for the photo sessions. Don't want y'all thinking I actually go out like that!