I am not fat.
I am not fit either.
I am in that not so fun in-between.
I am ready to change.
Growing up I was always active. I played soccer. Or rather, I tried to play soccer. The coach knew I sucked and always pulled me out, but at least I tried! I played volleyball in middle school but i was mediocre at best. But what I did do a lot of and did well was hike. I hiked a LOT. My family owned a llama trekking business growing up and so I'd be out with my dad, leading city folk on treks through the Cascades. I've hiked all over the Sierra Nevada with my dad who's now a hiking author. After I became a parent I would load my children into a backpack carrier and do walks/hikes appropriate for them, which I still do during the nicer months here. But as a single parent it's tough to get 3 children ages 3-8 out and about for anything that's really going to make an impact on my body. Even while I was married I was doing these things w/o the support or company of my then-husband so it was tough to get out on my own. Once 2 out of 3 kids were in school I started doing Pilates. I love, love, love Pilates. Unfortunately, after being laid off my bank account didn't really care it as much. Pilates has been put on the back burner until I can support such an costly form of exercise. I do mat work with the aid of DVD's but it's not the same as being in the studio and I actually would prefer to have someone guide me in person.
(I'm going to detour from things for a sec, but it ties into all this fitness nonsense.) I met E (I'll not disclose his name until he gives me the go-ahead) in 2010 and fell in love. There's a zillion reasons why I love him, but the one that has to do with this post is because he pushes me to step outside my comfort zone when it comes to fitness. Honestly, I could be happy if I never lifted a finger. That may be an exaggeration, but I'm definitely not a total fitness nut. E sort of is. He does runs, cycles, swims, combines the three into triathlons, dives and leads an all round active lifestyle. I have been too busy to do any of that. Or rather, I just haven't made the time to. And I really haven't cared to. But since being with him I've started to do those things (Minus the swimming. It's just really not my thing.). I've started running here and there, but as soon as the weather turns the slightest bit chilly I stop. I've gone cycling with him. We play soccer & football at the beach. During weekends together we make a point to get out and be active.
E is in Afghanistan on deployment. While packing the night before he left I came across his P90X. I thought, "This is exactly what I need to help keep me busy during the months he's gone." I want to get fit not just for me, but so when he gets back I can keep up with him. And honestly, I don't want him to keep his hands off of me. Perhaps these are not the most right reasons for wanting to get into shape. I know they're not. But they're also not the sole reasons for me wanting to do this.
I want to be able to keep up with my kids. They are balls of energy and as of right now I get winded just going to the park with them. I want to feel like I've shed not just a few lbs but also some of the past that has led me to the point where I am now. I want my old body back. Now, I understand that I won't get exactly that back. Having 3 children has taken its toll on my once tiny frame. But I've caught glimpses of my old body here and there and I know that if I work enough at it I'll get to a point where maybe I'm not exactly in high school form, but at a place where I feel good about how I look, curves and all.
I got a false start a couple weeks ago. I attempted to do P90X and failed miserably. I hit one speed bump and never recovered. That won't be happening again. I'm lucky enough that one of my girlfriends is so wonderful that she is willing to take on the same journey with me. I know that with her encouragement & partnership in this quest to get fit I will survive. We will survive.
The plan:
P90X is broken up into 13 weeks. Tomorrow starts day 1- Ab Ripper and Chest & Back. I'll be taking my measurements and the dreaded "Before" pictures and posting them. I'll be using a resistance band as a pull-up bar is not going to work in my house and quite honestly, I'm just not there yet. I'll be updating my measurements every 4 weeks along with pictures.
The goal:
To be fit. That's it. I don't need to be a stick figure. I just need to be healthy. I can stand to lose a few pounds, but nothing crazy. *IF* I were to lose any more than 20 pounds it would be too much. I want to hold my own with my kids & E.
I know that if I'm diligent in this quest I'll get the results I want. Thanks to my greatest friend Jesica, I know she's going to keep me on track when I want to throw in the towel.
I am ready to make P90X my bitch!
