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.