Let's Talk Fitness

Six months ago I realized my clothes were not fitting. It was August 2013, and at the time weighed 171 pounds. Now, I don't think I'm overweight, and I certainly don't think I'm fat, but the little pudge I'd put on after marriage bothered me. For reference, I am 5ft 6inches, and pear shaped. I have 44 inch hips, a 34 inch waist, and a 38 inch bust. At the time I measured myself, I was fitting into a size 14 pants/skirt and a medium to large top.

Thankfully, I'm not someone who has ever struggled with weight or body image in the past. However, it had been about a year since I'd done any serious exercising. Add to this the fact that I'm almost 30, and (at the time) worked at a call center where I sat down almost exclusively--all these facts really challenged me to start exercising.

I decided to start slow, with the 30 day shred by Jullian. For the first 30 days, I did the DVD every three days, using no weights. (you are supposed to do it every day, if you didn't know) I'll be honest, this was the hardest part. Because I hadn't exercised in so long my body flat fell apart after five jumping jacks, much less a totally 20 minute work out. In that 30 days I tried to train my body back into being able to move and not collapse.

By October I was down to doing the 30 day shred twice a week and another dvd, called 10 Minute Pilates twice a week as well. I felt much more energized and was also able to get through an entire 20 minute Jillian workout without totally falling apart.

In November I started going to the gym. The gym workouts were an hour long, and I would go 2-3 times a week. They were hard at first, but the other people in the class motivated me. I mean, who wants to look like a wuss in front of 55 year-old women who are owning the Zumba moves like pros? Seriously.

Sadly, I took off the entire month of December due to having a miscarriage. I struggled with depression during this time and felt even worse about myself.

August 2013, right before I started exercising. I weighed 171 here.

But, come January 2014, I decided to go back to the gym. I could do it! I started slow, managing a good 2-3 classes a week for both January and February.

In March my husband tried this crazy crash diet, and he lost 14 pounds in two weeks! His blood sugar plummeted and he was hungry all the time, so we quit that diet and decided to try and lose weight primary by exercising. We both started swimming on the weekends.

This April I finally decided to weigh myself. I didn't expect to lose any weight, because I was basically just trying to work up to exercising every day. However, I found I now weigh 164 pounds!  I was back in my size 12 pants/skirts and my medium tops were looser where before they had been tight in the belly. At this time, I've decided to up my exercise and see what I can accomplish!

March 2014, down to 164

So, yesterday I signed up for Revolt Fitness. I'd learned about Revolt from Oh Whimsical Me. It's only $50 a year, and has a 7-day free trial period. It also looks completely intense. I think I've finally worked out enough to be able to give it a try, as I can now push myself without worrying about getting hurt or spraining something.

I can't wait to get started! I don't have a specific weight goal. I suppose my goal is to get through the exercise in one piece and become more healthy as well.

What about you? Any fitness stories to tell?