If you know me in real life, you know that I have been on a 6 month quest to get back into shape. I used to be a ballet dancer, and I knew that body was in me somewhere…I just needed to find it again. I had increased to a size that was uncomfortable and simply unhealthy. Back in March I decided a change was needed. I started running using the c25k program.

C25k stands for couch to 5k. Its a gradual running program that is supposed to take you from being a couch potato to running a 5k race. It’s a nine week program with running 3 days a week. Each day is a combination of running and walking at intervals for approximately 30 minutes. I have an iPhone app that helps by telling me when to run or walk without having to look at the clock.

I kept with this plan until summer and then it became unbearably hot. I couldn’t walk outside let alone run. I needed to stay active, so I decided to join a gym. This was a huge decision for me. Choosing a gym was a several week research project. I didn’t want to simply run on a treadmill, and I wasn’t keen on weight lifting. I settled on the Universal Athletic Club. It’s expensive and on the other side of town, but they have the most impressive list of group fitness classes.

I figured classes would help keep me motivated. If I know I have to be there at a certain time on a certain day, I will go. If I leave it up to myself to say I think I’ll go to the gym whenever, I won’t. There’s also something about taking a class with other people. Yes, it’s mildly embarrassing, but because of this I end up pushing myself harder than I do when running. While out running by myself, it’s too easy to think “oh, I’m tired, I think I will stop now.” No one is there to see me stop, no one is judging me, watching me. No one has to move out of my way so that I can get my things and leave the room. Probably no one cares if I leave class early, but the fear that they do keeps me there till the end.

Classes have been great. This gym has every Les Mills class (BodyJam, BodyPump, etc.) in addition to Zumba, Yoga, and Jazzercise. My favorites are definitely the Les Mills classes. I regularly attend BodyJam (high energy dance), BodyPump (weight lifting), and CXWORX (core strengthening). I have tried some others, but these are the three I return to again and again.

Lately I have been slacking and so this post is making public my intention to return to the gym. If I write it here it will come true, yes? So far I have lost 15 pounds! I would still like to loose another 15 if not 20. I can do it, I know I can, I just need to stay dedicated.