Shrinking Violets Check-in
Good morning, Violets! It just dawned on me that I have not checked in since last Thursday. Friday was a rest day. I went to the club Saturday morning and jogged in the pool. My cycle started over the weekend and is kicking my butt this month. I was sidelined with intense cramps Sunday, but it was a planned rest day anyway. I am feeling wiped out again this morning, but part of that is the result of a celebration last night. The morning after sugar is never pretty.
I am faithfully completing my Bible study every morning, which really helps with my focus and outlook in general. I did Kick, Punch, & Crunch yesterday morning.
I had a big breakthrough last night. I was feeling insecure about returning to the club, and thoughts and feelings of not belonging there or here or anywhere continued to torment me last week. The mental part of this journey is so much tougher than the physical part. I am determined to not allow thoughts and feelings to rule over me, so I kept pressing on. I started feeling “at home” there again last night. I went after work to jog in the pool with my friend Rebecca. Many of my friends were there last night. It was comforting to see familiar faces again. The club director patted me on the back and joked about my return. I also realized that I am very hard on myself. I saw a friend in the locker room who wanted to see pictures of my niece. She is a doll! I pulled out the photo album that I keep with me. It fell open to a picture of me at my top weight. Renee did not know me 3 years ago when I started this journey. She was blown away. It is easy for me to be distracted by how big I still am and forget how huge I was back then. My waist is 10" smaller than it was 3 years ago, and each thigh is 4" smaller. I am only halfway to goal, but that old Heather is gone forever. I look nothing like her anymore. When I started this journey, my doctor told me to prepare myself for the reality that it might take 4-5 years to reach my goal. It appears that he was right on target.
In my excitement last night, I promised one of the regular members of my friend’s cardio boot camp class that I will return to class next Wednesday. I made a commitment to attend that class once a month. What on earth was I thinking?! I may regret it next week, but it will be a good challenge for me and a good monthly progress check. This is a cardio boot camp class that is like Cathe’s Boot Camp, High Step Training, and IMAX3 combined. It is an extremely challenging workout. Thankfully, the club has a suspended wood floor that cushions the impact.
I started celebrating my birthday a few days early. My actual birthday is not until Friday, but Rebecca treated me to homemade key lime pie at Cheddar’s last night. I ate until I was satisfied and left the rest on the table. It was tart and refreshing, but I do not need the leftovers in my home. I know that this will be a week of celebration, so I am enjoying treats in moderation. Emphasis on moderation.
I am thinking about focusing on cardio and circuit training workouts this week. I need to burn all these calories I am eating! I received a shipping notice yesterday, and my new DVDs will be here just in time for my birthday! :7 Speaking of new DVDs, I started previewing the Hardcore Series workouts that were given to me as a gift. Low Max and High Step Challenge look like fun! I had a lightbulb moment while previewing the boot camp blast section of Kick Max that inspired some great ideas for getting a more intense workout from all my Cathe DVDs without compromising my joints. I will share more about this soon.
Wendy, congratulations on the new job!
Kali, have a great workout.
Sunny, I am glad to see you checking in again. Good job getting a workout done even with a house full of guests.
Kim, enjoy Low Max. I am looking forward to trying that one for the first time soon.
Blessings,
Heather B.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
