The beginning...

Before I even begin, let me get this straight. I hate running. The mere idea of running makes me sink lower into my already sagging couch cushion and shove three more brownies in my mouth. Before I started this, the last time I ran was a half a block to catch the bus...which left me trying to pretend I wasn't winded while standing between a bunch of strangers and wishing a seat was open so I could catch my breath again.

But at the end of December, I hopped on the scale that had been previously collecting dust in the cabinet and was shocked. at 199 lbs, I knew I had to do something. I could NOT let myself hit the 200lb mark. So December 29th I started a workout routine. Anyone who has started working out after a long period of sitting on their butt knows what I know...Its VERY easy to want to sit back down on that butt. I knew myself and I knew that the only way to keep myself in a workout routine would be to work out every day until I didn't feel like I wanted to sit on my butt rather than work out. My original plan was to work out 30 days in a row...30 days to make a habit, isn't that what they say?

Day One went off without a hitch...well...Day One went anyway. I went downstairs to the little gym we have in our building (a treadmill, an elliptical, two bikes, and a bench press) thinking I could just run....not so much. I think I ran about 1 minute before I stopped breathing and passed out. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating a little bit, but it was NOT the easy jog I had envisioned. (Now don't lie, you know you've envisioned yourself weighing about 20lbs, in those cute running shorts and a sports bra breezing by all of the seasoned athletes on the running trail...That was not me.) I spent 15 minutes on that treadmill...I walked most of the time, jogged just a little. That night I looked up a "Couch to 5k" training program and set myself up with a plan...It meant 3 days a week for 9 weeks. I signed myself up for the St. Patty's Day Dash...That gave me 3 months to do a 9 week training program...even I could accomplish that!...Right?!?!

So with 5k training three days a week, but working out 7 days a week...I needed some filler! I checked out a couple of workout videos from the library (one of which I've yet to return...sorry Seattle Public Library!! I promise its coming back! Along with my late fees!)...Once a week I did the Biggest Loser Cardio DVD and once a week I did the New York City Ballet Workout (I am oh-so-graceful...) And on the 7th day, God rested...but I did not. If you have not heard of or tried Nia...just do it. Its the best workout class I have ever done. A gorgeous mix of martial arts, dance, and yoga that literally gets you yelling "yes!" and working to your "pleasure point". Nia leaves me feeling refreshed, loose, and best of all, sweaty! (End of Nia commercial.)

So a non-runner, non-exerciser, expert couch potato began on the road to health and fitness.