Today Is The First Day of the Rest of My Life!

Hello and Happy Saturday to you all!!!

This is the first Saturday that I was up, dressed and driving in my car before 10:00 in the morning.  Boy was I surprised to see that many individuals are up, dressed and on their way very early in the day.  I actually never thought I would see this day happen, but heck, it wasn't all that bad.  Poor Toby though, thought he was getting a nice outside walk, and was very disappointed when I didn't grab his leash or the plastic bag for his "puppy surprise."  I will take him out a little later today, when I feel the sensation come back in my legs.  Right now,  after my "fitness" test,  I'm afraid that my muscles need a little recovery time.  Ha-ha.

So, I was very nervous this morning and actually woke up several times before my alarm.  The first time was around 5am, and Toby decided that he needed to go outside and mark a few bushes.  Then about every 45 minutes, I woke up and checked the clock.  I could feel the nerves in my stomach and I knew that I needed to get myself "psyched" up for this orientation and fitness test.  I guess I wasn't smiling much, as Ken was trying very nicely to help me think positively!!!  I have to say that when I arrived the staff and coaches were very welcoming.  The owner, whom is an aquaintance of mine, gave me a huge hug and that was so sweet. 

So after filling out some paperwork, including a "Get to Know Me" form, I proceeding to "test" just how truly out of shape I am.  (Oh boy, here it comes now.....)  I proceeded to do a "step" challenge, where I stepped up and down on a stool for 4 minutes while checking a resting heart rate and then a post "step" heart rate.  That wasn't too bad, except that I lost my count on my post step heart rate and had to "guesstimate" what it was.  (me and math....ugh!)  Next I proceeded over to the push-ups and sit-ups and prayed that I woudn't embarress myself.  I let my partner go first (wasn't that nice of me?) and she then counted my push-ups and didn't count my sit-ups.  Why, you may ask did she NOT count my sit-ups???  Um, that would be, because I couldn't do even ONE sit-up.  (deep sigh.....)  I was able to do 24 push-ups (not horrible.......,) but when I layed back on the mat, crossed my arms on my chest, I grunted and groaned and was only able to lift my shoulders off the mat.  (Good Lord....what HAVE I done to myself?)  Or maybe I should say, what HAVEN'T I done......?  Lastly, we ran/walk/jogged a mile outside up hill (I wish I could say up hill both ways, but no....), but I didn't think that I was too bad on my time.  I jogged/walked a mile in 13 minutes and 34 seconds.  I did however, want to throw up immediately afterward, but my stomach contents did NOT make an appearance in front of my peers.  (Thank God!!!!) 

So, I survived my very first day of my new exercise/health challenge.  The staff was very encouraging and even though I was slow to return from that mile, hearing the cheers from the Farrell's employees made me feel like I crossed a finish line after a marathon!  (Ok...maybe NOT a marathon, but perhaps a 5K would sound reasonable????)  I am discouraged that I have absolutely NO abdominal muscles that are strong, but hey, at least after 10 weeks, I KNOW that I will have improved from my "0" score of today.  I am destined to make improvements in my fitness level!!!  I am ready and willing to work on better food choices and yes, even cutting back on my favorite micro-brew from Granite City.  (I was so proud to be a "mug club" member, and I hope that they don't strip me of my beer privileges....)  Ok folks, that's it for today.  I wish I could have come up with a few more "funny" comments, but I think my brain is still in shock after my first "little" work-out!  Have a great week-end everyone and remember that each day is a new day, and it will be great if you want it to be!!!  <3