I Did It!!!!!

Hello friends!
I have stayed away from my blog for a long time, and for that I am sorry.  I honestly didn't think that anyone was reading my blog, so I got discouraged.  Recently, I found that there were some that actually were reading it, and after some prompting from some wonderful people, I am back at it.

I have completed my 10 week fitness challenge at Farrell's.  I am still pretty amazed that I finished the program!  I think I surprised myself.  That first week was a little stressful for me, and I was fairly overwhelmed, but now.....I am in to a routine.  It's a good feeling.  The final fitness test was "ok" for me.  I went from 0 sit-ups at the first test to 22 at the final.  25 push-ups to 69 at the final.  And the mile run (which I hated.....) inital time of 13:34 to 11:22 at the final.  What an exhilerating feeling!  And most importantly, I lost a total of 6 1/2 inches from my body.  (I now have a waist line again!)

Later that day, we had a final fitness party at a local bar downtown.  They closed the place so that we could celebrate privately with all of the others that joined at the same time.  This included naming the number winning team at each location (there are two) and the top 3 winners from each location as well.  The top winner won a 1,000 dollars.  Tammie, the owner came up to the front of the room to name the top 3 and what a surprise!  The first name she called was "Mary".  And I thought to myself, "Wow...there was another Mary that joined when I did".  I was looking around to see who she was, and then Tammie looked at me and said, "That's you Mary!"  I took 3rd place at my gym for the most physical change since the beginning of the program.  I cannot tell you how surprised and happy I was.  I started crying and I was SO amazingly happy!!!!  This made all of the hard work worthwhile.  Ken, my hubby was very proud.  I felt as though I was given the 1,000 dollars, and I didn't even win it!  No way, in a million years, did I think that I would finish in the top 3.  The entire evening was magical.  I felt like a princess.....

So, it doesn't end there....Nope.....the saga continues.  I have joined Farrell's to become a part of the "Fit" team.  Now.....I wouldn't consider myself to be "fit" yet....but I'm a work in progress.  I guess I just want to "encourage" others to take the challenge.  Whether it be Farrell's, the YMCA, a neighborhood gym or even your own basement.....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!  If I can, anyone can.  Just believe in yourself, and make the change.  You are only given one body and one mind.  Love it, nurture it.....take care of it.  You will be glad you did!  And...YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!

Here's to another 10 weeks.....
Mary