Dear Gym- I hate it when you kick my ass. And then laugh about it. Love, Andrea.

So, post-workout, Day 2. I would do this later, but I'm not sure I'll be able to move my arms.

When my alarm went off at 4.30 this morning, I really had to fight myself to get out of bed. I think I spent at least 8 minutes arguing with myself over snoozing an extra five minutes, or just going back to bed altogether and being lazy today, or only going to the gym for a little while so I could go a little later. By the time I finished with that, it was about 4.40 and I made myself flip on my light and throw the covers off, and....well, it worked. I got ready just so I could put on my fleece to go outside, because it was freeeezing.

Did cardio first, as usual (or as usual as it can be, for being day 2...but that's how I used to do it, so I guess it still can be considered 'as usual' (and I think that's how most people do it. Isn't it? I don't know (not one to really grill people on their gym habits (this is too many parentheses (i should probably stop it now))))).
ANYWAY.
I decided to do arms/back/shoulders today, since I did legs yesterday. I started with the triceps press (that guy is super hot. HA.) and was feeling pretty good, cause apparently my triceps have not given way to jello yet.
Next machine was the biceps curl. First of all, it was not like the machines I'm used to; it was set up different (I looked for a picture, but I couldn't find one). Second of all? I wasn't lying all those times I joked about having the upper arm strength of a kitten. I couldn't even do HALF of what I was doing last summer, which was pretty discouraging. I am attributing part of that to it being a different machine that I'm not used to, but still. Frustrating. I had that issue with most of the bicep machines.
Loving the machines I have no issues on though. All the back and shoulder ones? Yea, I made them my bitch. I laughed in their damn face. I said, "You want 12 reps? Yea, I'll give you 15. You want 3 sets? I'll give you 5, and you'll take 'em all, and you'll like it. Slut." (I said this in my head, by the way. I don't need to scare the other patrons. Or the employees. At least not this soon.)

So, all in all, a pretty good workout. I know once I get through a couple weeks I'll start building my muscle back up, and I won't feel like such a damn weakling. That's one of the minor goals of this whole process, so I just have to remember not to get discouraged when I suck at things early on, and keep my eyes on the prize: being healthy and strong for the first time in my adult life.

Note to self: Try to avoid fist-pumping to 'Eye of the Tiger' in public....

It's just after 6am, and I've already worked out for an hour.
Me. Gym. Morning. Hell, even if you take the gym out of that equation, it's unheard of.

But the gym? Working out? Breaking a sweat for a reason other than heat?

I mean, let's be honest here. I certainly only like to have an increase in my heart rate during certain activities (and I think you all know what I mean ;-)), and while they can be done at a gym, it's not very encouraged.

But there I was...5am, and chugging away on the treadmill. The first few minutes were rough, but after four minutes or so, something changed....

I wish I could say that it was eye-opening. That I realized that I love working out. That I understand that exercise is an incredibly part of being healthy, and getting fit will be fantastic. That the endorphins started flowing (and endorphins make you happy. And happy people just don't kill their husbands....)

Oh no. It was way better than that.
'Eye of the Tiger' came on my playlist.
Is there anyone in the world who can hear that song and not suddenly feel the need to run up some stairs?
Yea, I didn't think so.

So that comes on, and I had two problems.
1 - That song ALWAYS makes me sing along, fist-pump, play air drums, and generally act like an asshole. Never fails. Do I really want to be known as the crazy girl at the gym? No. Not yet, anyway. Suppressing those urges? Damn near impossible. But I did it.
2 - The aforementioned need to run up some stairs? I didn't have stairs handy, but I was on a treadmill. I felt that I could run. Maybe I could have. I was walking at a pretty good clip at that point. But...and here is my secret fear...I am TERRIFIED of running on treadmills. I always think that I will end up one of those poor (and/or stupid) suckers on YouTube. You know the ones I'm talking about. The people who just fly right off. I like to think I have the common sense (or perhaps not-so-common) not to try to jump (or dance) onto a fast-moving treadmill, but still. This is me. I trip over air. A fall on a treadmill? Wouldn't be much of a shock.

Anyway, I continued walking. Quickly. And sang along in my head. But after that, the workout didn't seem too bad, and the time seemed to fly. As usual, my life is better because of music.

What's your favorite song to workout to? What gets you pumped up?

Back to Basics (An Introduction, of Sorts)

First of all, I would like to give a shoutout to one of my favorite authors, the lovely and incredibly talented Liza Palmer. The title of this blog is an homage to her second novel, Seeing Me Naked which is a fantastic read.

This summer, I plan on attending my high school's ten-year reunion. When I graduated, I was a size 10 or 12 and athletic. A decade later, I am soft in all the wrong places (but in some of the right ones as well!) I'd like to walk into the reunion at least partway back to where I was.

Over the years, I've tried any amount of diets. I've tried working out, and failed more than I've succeeded. This time, it's going to stick.

Almost five years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've recently discovered that I likely have sleep apnea. Now that carrying an extra person around has really started to affect my health, I've realized it's time for a change.

Don't get me wrong! I am fabulous, and I love myself just the way I am....just...only if I have several layers covering me up. And let's be honest - that's as much metaphorical as it is literal.

This is my story of shedding pounds, and shedding layers.

Here goes nothing...

Many years ago (okay, three) I started Weight Watchers. I did well on the program, losing about 35-40 pounds.

Three years later, it's almost all back. And I have sacrificed my health and appearance for the sake of Ben and Jerry's, which, to be honest, up until now has been an alright trade-off for me.

No more.

Last night, I re-enrolled in Weight Watchers online. Luckily, it saved my information from the last time, and I discovered I am still down from when I began (by all of 4.8 pounds, but I'm not going to turn my nose up at that).

Today? Day 1. Fresh start.