How did I get here?

So here it begins....

Let me give you a quick overview. Last year was a BIG year for me. In late 2011, I decided I had to get my ass in gear and lose some weight because, well, first of all, I was fat and unhappy and that was  no way to live. I wanted confidence, some self-respect and to feel good about me and nothing in my life was doing that for me.

I was already a member at the YMCA, paying for countless un-used months and decided to join their Fitlinxx (tracking) program and being the competitive stubborn girl that I am, I decided I had to be in the top every month. So I started joining classes.... Boot Camp was my favourite.

In February, there was a new very tough trainer who came out to teach the class... a no-bullshit type of guy. Exactly what I needed to motivate me. So I asked if we could do some Wellness Sessions and it started to work a lot harder.

I then challenged myself to do the YMCA Spin-a-Thon as I had recently started doing Spin Classes and was actually really good at them and enjoying them. Likely due to the fact that I have pretty strong legs from carrying around so much excess weight for so long. Well, I killed it! Did all 6 hours. This was the ONLY physical event I had ever completed! It felt good afterward because only 2 of us did the full 6 hours and the recognition afterwards made me feel like a celebrity.

Well, along with a bunch of wicked prizes, I got 10 free personal training session in which I totally utilized. I asked my trainer to start getting on my case big time and I signed up for the Warrior Dash, look it up if you aren't familiar. We worked on dynamic balance, stability, HIIT, Crossfit, lots of stuff and, even though I was so worried, when I actually got on the course with my sister, it was way easier than I had anticipated! Well, no, maybe it wasn't. I was in far better shape at the time of race than I was when I first signed up when the fear first began. So it probably was just as hard as I anticipated, but I got ready for it and did pretty well!

One thing about the Boot Camps was that I LOVED doing them.. but they got too easy. So we started doing and outdoor boot camp at the park and I met some AMAZING people doing so. They continued into the fall and attendence trickled off as the weather changed, so we continued indoor training until my trainer left the Y. It was sad, but I tried my best to stay motivated, but I think with everything I had learned, trying to train myself was pretty confusing and overwhelming, but I did my best.

Due to the hard work I was doing and the accomplishments of the year, I was asked to do a "motivational" speech for people who were taking a Running Program at the YMCA! It was very flattering and I felt very motivated at this time! I proudly sported my "Strong is the new Skinny" tank top and told everyone of my adventures, falls, accomplishments, races, Weight Watchers victories, etc... People actually liked it, it was, well, as I said, flattering! Quite the experience.

At this point, I had lost 40 lbs and a heck of a lot of inches, everything was starting to firm up and I was, for the first time in my life, feeling good about myself... Being the fat girl my entire life and holding a horrible set of genetics that barred me from easily losing weight like many others, I felt a sense of accomplishment and it was, well, fun!

At this point I wanted to learn to run. I had signed up to do the Urban Warrior in early September, a 10km Run / Obstacle Course.... I wasn't as ready for it was I was the Warrior Dash, but I did it anyway... It was so hard, but after 1 hour and 27 crappy minutes, I completed my first 10km run! THANK GOD!

The rest of the year is kind of a blur... I continued with as much fitness as I could, but in mid October I started having lower back pain which wasn't actually muscular pain at all, but a kidney and UT infection that I ignored to the point of getting Shingles. By the beginning of October, I was bent over in pain. This set me way back as my immune system crashed. I ended up picking up every bug there was.... Stomach flu, Sinus infection, Chest Cold, you name it... it found me! Although I've been doing boxing and the occasional work out, I just tried to survive the holidays without putting on weight, but I know I have lost muscle tone and I desperately want to get that back.

So here we are.... As I work to get back in shape, try Tabata training, complete challenges and, generally, figure shit out, I hope you will read along with me. I was just told that Blogs are becoming a thing of the past, of course, right as I try to start one (I'm so not 'hip')... So if I make a move to a different form of media, I will keep you up to do! Read along as I now begin my 21 Day Challenge!

Thanks.
xox
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