Bits of Progress

Last Tuesday afternoon I threw the kids in the car and we headed off to the Summerville Family YMCA and we became members.  After completing all the paperwork and smiling for our pictures we decided to venture off to do our first workout.  We walked up the stairs to the cardio room and we each took a spot at one of the many elliptical machines.  

Now, it had been probably 6 years since I had done any kind of cardio workout even though I had an elliptical machine in my bedroom until about 9 months ago.  Unfortunately, it had become more of a clothes horse than the avenue for any healthy activities.

Well, the first time I stepped back onto the elliptical machine last Tuesday I was hesitant, but excited to be taking the first, concrete step towards reaching my - as yet undetermined - fitness goals.  As I climbed onto the machine it immediately came to life with lights displaying figures keeping track of my efforts - heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled and other details that could track my progress.  Within moments those numbers began to climb and in little time my heart rate had climbed to a therapeutic rate.  Unfortunately, within five minutes I had reached my limit and I was ready to get off.  I felt light headed and my legs were like spaghetti. We went to the gym three additional days last week and each day I was able to work just a bit longer.  

Today, a mere 7 days later I went to the gym to continue my journey to fitness.  I am proud to say that in just that short amount of time I was able to progress to working for 35 minutes on the elliptical.  Not only that, but instead of just being able to work at minimal intensity I was able to complete an interval "weight loss" program.

Just small steps to fitness, but I am encouraged that I have been able to make this amount of progress in such a short period of time.  I can't wait to see what progress a month will show.

Goal # 1

OK, I know that most people would focus their goals on things like running marathons or getting into size 8 jeans, but my first long-term, I'm there and ready to move on to other projects GOAL is to have a family portrait done.  You see, if it were not for my dear friend, Heather, there would be virtually no photographic proof of my existence after, say, 2002.  To be completely honest, there was little before then. I know it's hard to believe, but fat people don't like to have their picture taken.  I've always been the one behind the camera setting the poses.  It made it very convenient to become invisible.  

Several years ago I went to the funeral of a very dear friend.  The funeral home was covered with pictures of her and her family throughout her life.  There were collages from various times,  dozens of family photo albums, and a looped video of her family's vacations.  It was a heartfelt tribute to a wonderful, vibrant lady.  If I were to die today, my family would have a challenge filling the smallest of albums.  So, to be vaguely specific (LOL), I'm going to work until I reach a point when I can comfortably agree to sit for a family picture.

Well, there you have it - Goal # 1 - A Family Portrait

New Beginnings

News Flash!  I'm 48 years old.  In 22 months I will be 50!  Trust me, no one is more shocked than I am.  Seriously, a few days ago I realized that I will be 49 this year.  Perhaps that sounds strange to you, but I have not been one of those people who celebrates birthdays in quite some time and the years have sneaked on without my noticing.  In my mind I'm still 35. Of course, if that were true DJ would be 2 and Torie would be an infant.  

The most disturbing part of this revelation is that my father suffered his first heart attack at 49 and was dead five years later - I was 13.  I've always had that thought in the back of my head and known that the fact that my father experienced a heart attack before the age of 50 placed me at significantly higher risk of repeating that history.  However, when you ignore your aging there is infinite years to improve your situation.  I have run out of time.  

So, today I begin this blog to chronicle my journey to fitness - it is my first step in personal accountability for this process.  In the coming weeks I will be developing more concrete weight loss and fitness goals; today I'm just focused on staying on plan for the day.  I owe it to my kids - I owe it to myself.