Three More, Two More and Take It To The Right......Reach it Right......

The exercise regime begins today or I should say began today. Jodie, Personal Trainer Specialist and owner of a local gym called "Inner Strength," will be assisting me in my goal of Pin Up Girl. Jodie created a 3-day workout plan for me to get started. On paper, Day 1 looks relatively straight-forward. I had been participating in bootcamp on and off for the past 3 years so consider myself to be in relatively good shape fitness-wise. I did take 10 months off this year after I was very sick. I started getting back into it this summer, then took another month break and started back again in the fall. I enjoyed this particular class however, I knew it needed to be more challenging and that breaking a sweat would likely be desired if I wanted to reach my fitness goals.

I hiked down the street to the gym which is conveniently located about a 2-minute walk (literally) from my house. I started with ten minutes on the Elliptical and after 55 seconds I was certain I must be almost finished. I was dismayed to see that I hadn't even been going for a minute. Reminds me of first time mothers in labour when the early part drags on and they are convinced they must be at least 7cm dilated only to learn they are 2cm dilated. Very discouraging. I was annoyed, as well, that I had forgotten my MP3 Player as Jodie had Christmas music playing. Lovely and festive but not motivating whatsoever when you are ready to hop off within the first minute. I trudged on and imagined myself in four months feeling so proud of my accomplishment. I knew I wasn't going to get there if I bailed on Day 1. Soon, I was able to count down the minutes and finally I was warmed up and then some.

The rest of the time was spent doing a variety of bootcamp exercises with weights. Lots of lunging, squatting and strength training interspersed with bursts of cardio. I was sweating within five minutes and I knew I was in the right place. Before long, I had made my way through the list of exercises and it was time to cool down and stretch. I was finished about an hour and a bit ago and my legs continue to gently vibrate. Tomorrow should be equally as interesting since I have to attack Day 2 while dealing with the aftermath of Day 1.

Jodie has instructed me to do the 3 days in a row and then repeat Day 1 before taking a day of rest. I will do this until the end of December and she will create a new program for me with more intensity and focus. I have decided to workout at the gym for the winter months and then start running again once the snow melts or at least once the temperatures are above freezing.

Now time for lunch.............