working out, in the great outdoors

i went to my workout session with leslie last night. i took a nap first, not because this woman consistently kicks my butt, but because i was on call last night. i woke up and still sleepy, drove out to meet her at the high school stadium. she teaches a group session there every wednesday night and i was meeting her after that class. i have two more sessions left with my p.t. and i have decided to schedule a monthly session with her just to check in and keep on track. i am also going to join her wednesday night group, because it’s cheaper, because it would be fun, because with exercise it’s good to shake things up a bit, and because it’s all outdoors. i spent an hour working out in the sun, looking at a beautiful blue sky.

the thing about exercise for me is, it’s fun. i have finally reached the point where my body tells me, hey! let’s get up and move a bit! i feel a real difference on the days i don’t work out, i can tell a real difference in my energy and stress levels. no more slaving away on the elliptical for an hour at a time and not getting any results. the past month and a half working with leslie, she has challenged me and has increased my confidence in my own ability. i am doing things i would never thought possible after having had two knee surgeries and it’s all been low impact, knee friendly, but tough as hell. i am stronger, we have increased my amount of weight i am lifting consistently and on some of these exercises i am now lifting thirty pounds more than i was when i started. i can see a difference in the shape of my arms, and feel a difference when i do every day activities, going up the stairs, lifting groceries, just the every day things where you don’t realize how hard you have been laboring until you are no longer laboring hard. i told leslie last night my new goal was to be able to do ten boy push-ups by the end of the year!

positivity for today, i have never been good at asking for help, but working with leslie, tona and jenny craig  has made such a difference in my life. i feel better, i eat better, and i have more energy. knowing when you need help, being able to ask for it, and being able to accept it, is a big personal milestone!