The gym

The last time I was seriously physically fit was when I was following (mostly) the Eating For Life program from the book with the same name by Bill Phillips.  It calls for a definite dedication of time allotted to working out (30-45 min. 6 days a week).  That may scare some of you and I can honestly say it scared me too as prior doing it the word gym or work-out was actually laughable to me; something only freaks did.

About 7 years ago I herniated a disk in my lower spine (that basically means the soft tissue that separates the bones was coming out in one area and the bones were bonking into each other causing me excruciating pain).  I am one of those with a very high pain tolerance and I almost fainted when the problem was acute, thank goodness my hubby was around to catch me and stick me into a chair.

It took me over a year to heal naturally and because of the shape I was in, I was constantly having to pay attention to how I moved, what I did and how I did it to ensure that I didn’t ‘break’ it again.  If it started hurting I would end up on the couch for a day to ensure I didn’t ‘break’ it again.  Well, needless to say my chiropractor kept telling me over and over that if I would start working out (he didn’t care how, gym, home whatever) that I would not have to worry about it.  A friend of mine introduced me to the book and I was so incredibly not happy with the shape of my body and even less happy about the worry of a relapse that I went for it.

I joined Snap Fitness (summer of 08) and started alongside my friend and her hubby (my hubby being a builder was very supportive but wouldn’t go near the gym himself!) and started the work outs.  I ended up being on a different schedule then my friends but continued anyway and after three months I was amazed at the difference.  The book shows before and afters that blow your mind.  I didn’t get that ‘look’, in fact I didn’t loose much but I toned what I did have and I HAD NO PAIN.  That was amazing.  No pain and so much energy that I could not only keep up with my then six year old but was working in the garden all day (as compared to crashing after an hour or two in the heat).

So I was sold.  Then we had some things occur in life and I had to cancel my membership at the gym and we ended up moving out of the country.  While there we quit smoking and enjoyed food tremendously very far from any gym.  Well, we came back and continued to put on the poundage.  Now thirty pounds heavier than when I left, starting to experience back pain again and feeling generally miserable physically (oh, and can’t fit into my friggin jeans either) I think I had better get my booty back in there.  I was reflecting yesterday to the hubster on just how great it was when I was working out (although it is painful thinking about starting it up again but that’s just cuz I’m a lazy fatty now) and he told me I should just go and sign up.  I couldn’t get out there today but tomorrow I’m heading over to get signed up.  I’ll keep you filled in. 😀