I probably should not have started back with the class I chose to start back with for two reasons. One, because I hurt my back moving the couch a few weeks ago and it hasn’t fully healed yet. My back killed me tonight, hence the heating pad. Two, I forgot a water bottle. BodyJam is a very aerobic medium-high impact dance class. I sweat quite a bit, and not having water to rehydrate during and right after class was a big mistake. I knew it going in, and yet, took the class anyway. Now I have a headache and feel pretty bad, hence the tea.

Blah.

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.

Over the weekend my Mom mentioned that my sister has been using a workout game on the Wii, and has lost 20 lbs so far! And that was it, the gauntlet had been thrown. I determined at that moment, that I must get that game and lose at least that much weight; I attribute this to some subconscious sibling rivalry. I really would like to lose at least 30 pounds, but we will see.

So, yesterday I headed out to Walmart and picked up the game Active, by EA. I already have the balance board. I got it when it first came out with the intention of using the game Wii Fit, but quickly lost interest. Active is a serious game, less cutesy and supposedly much more focused on getting you in shape. It even came with accessories: a resistance band and a leg strap for the nun-chuck.

This morning I used it for the first time. The result? Jello legs and sweating. In 20 minutes today it said I burned over 100 Calories. So far so good! My goal is to work out for 20 minutes every morning before work. Soon I hope to feel less jello-y and more pumped – we will see.