Week 1

8.26.09

Although I've been trying for several days to incorporate more healthy choices into my food selection and preparation and have walked a few times for exercise, my eight-week challenge began in earnest yesterday as I made my first visit to a training studio for a forty-five-minute group session focusing on strength training, cardio, and abs.

I was able to do at least a modified version of almost all that was required--not always as many reps as the others--but more than I expected to be able to do. I finished the entire session, also something I was not sure I could do. That much was a surprise.

However, I was embarrassed beyond description--on the verge of tears the entire time. Why? Was it the embarrassment itself? Was it shame and guilt for having allowed my body to become almost unable to do the simplest moves? Was it fear, as in, "I have never been able to stick to an exercise program--this one won't be any different/I won't be any different/ I won't be able to continue past the length of the program"? I held in my tears until I reached my car, and then I let them go.

This morning I woke up a little stiff and with just a tad of soreness--nothing like what I expected. I walked this morning--over twice as many laps as the last time I walked.

As the day has progressed, the soreness makes itself more manifest--my shoulders and upper arms, my hips.

I know that tomorrow's class is the one that will present the most challenge of this particular journey: I will be in the throes of all the soreness but will have to attempt to work through the pain.

Sixteen visits: I am committed.