And now we add the second layer...

After several weeks of this challenge, I've found that I have more energy and restlessness than I can ever remember experiencing.  I'm not versed in the why behind that, I just know that I'm seeing a change in my willingness to get up off that couch.

At the same time I feel glued to the couch with the commitments I have for work.  You can't exactly work a file in an aerobics class.  

This irony has created a lot of angst and anger within me, and it came to a head yesterday.  We decided to transition our gym memberships as a family from Planet Fitness to the Indianapolis Area YMCA a few weeks ago.  PF is great and I have no negative feedback about my experiences at the gym.  What we needed though was a place that the kids could get involved with, that had more locations, that offered a pool, and most importantly for me offered aerobic classes.  So we made the switch, but I still wasn't able to go. Yesterday Jen, Charlie, and I changed that.  We just got up and went.  The files stayed parked and I put myself first.

An hour later I couldn't hardly make it to the hallway bench directly outside the class room.  She worked me OUT! What I appreciated was the sense of community and mutual push that the class offered.  There was a ten year old next to a 60+ year old, a breast cancer survivor next to a very toned athlete, people with sweat running everywhere next to people jiggling right along side me.  And we all pushed through it because we love ourselves more than we hate the pain.

After I could find true north again, we went to the pool and worked out for another 30 minutes.  I did NOT want to get in my swimsuit. I was tired. And when you're big getting in a swimsuit is a workout in itself.  Plus I knew that I'd have to get out of the thing and get back home, and that seemed impossible.  

But we did it. And we had fun!

Today I don't want to lift my hands to hold the steering wheel.  I had a horrible migraine which was dehydration and lack of protein.  But now I've made it past noon and I feel amazing.  Like, as in I'm every woman it's all in me amazing.

And my work is better for it.  My emotions are better for it.  My body is better for it. 

Did you burn 1,000 calories yesterday? Just being able to say that is amazing. It's a pivotal change in my life.  And when you do one thing you didn't think was possible, everything suddenly is.

Onwards!