I gained around 70 lbs with both of my pregnancies. After the first, I was very motivated to lose the baby weight and get back into my cute little shorts. I did exactly that, but my reasoning was more about keeping my husband happy then myself. After the second child was born I was less concerned with his opinion and not as motivated to lose the weight. Although I have sort of tried a few times, I’m still carrying it around today, and she will be 10 next week! In light of my new exuberance for life, and desire to start dancing and being more active, I think I should finally set some fitness goals.
Once upon a time I loved to walk every day. When I was still married, he was there with the kids and I was free to meet my friend at the park at 5 a.m. for a pre-dawn stroll. I loved that time with her (btw, I miss you Erin!) and felt very proud of the 2-3 miles we walked every morning.
Life happened, divorce happened, and I couldn’t leave my then 3 and 6 year old daughters home alone while I cavorted around the park at ungodly hours of the morning. So my fitness routine bit the dust.
At one point I joined a “Biggest Mover” competition at the local YMCA. My friends and I formed a team, paid our dues and bought the bright pink matching t-shirts. I seriously dreaded it, and only agreed because my best friend REALLY wanted to do it. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed it! I was doing everything I was suppose to, and began to see results. Sadly, my teammates did not enjoy it as much as I did, were extremely busy and consequently did not put as much effort into it. Our coach, obviously not a sensitive soul, suggested my teammates were holding me back from success. I was mortified! My motivation had very little to do with “winning” the team weigh-ins and everything to do with supporting each other, and I knew that thoughtless comment would have the opposite effect. As expected, my friend’s embarrassment and insult brought the entire project to a halt and none of us finished the competition. I also participated in the Color Run one year, alone because I couldn’t convince anyone to do it with me! I had every intention of training for it weeks or months ahead of time, but I never did train as I should have. It’s hard to motivate yourself without a partner. When the day arrived, I showed up, totally out of shape, and walked the entire thing rather than running it. But I was so proud that I did it! I collapsed at the finish line exhausted, red faced and tie-dyed, but oh so happy! I even posted the awful photos to social media, sharing with the world my embarrassing moments of dingy delight.
As a waitress at a busy cafe, you would think I got plenty of exercise. My faithful pedometer said I walked 26,000 steps per shift, on average. Unfortunately, I think I ate enough to counter-act all those steps because I found myself gaining weight!
Now that I have my wonderful new office job, I don’t get all those steps…or any steps really. On top of that I’m trying to quit smoking, which leaves me wanting to put something in my mouth ALL DAY LONG. Not a good combination in terms of my future success as a dancing queen.
So I find myself in need of some goals. But to be fair, my life is more than a little full right now, with the kids out of school for the summer and all these exciting new things I’m doing and writing about.
I have to start somewhere, though. I know I will enjoy it once I find the motivation to begin. Since I am a firm believer in baby steps, I think a good starting goal is to just make it to the gym. I’ll keep you posted if I make that goal and am ready to step it up a bit!
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