New Year, New Me?

So, I've jumped on the band wagon.  Which one is that you ask?  Oh you know the one where the month of January is spent dieting and attempting to exercise.  Some genius at work decided our office should do a Biggest Loser contest (note there is no actual affiliation with the TV show Biggest Loser. :)  )  I stand zero chance of winning this thing, but it seemed like a great opportunity to get motivated.  You see, I haven't actually exercised in 7 years.  7 years ago I had a baby and while she is the apple of my eye, she's put a dent in my workout schedule.  My husband is what you might loosely call a rock star who also has a day job.  I also have a full time job. We're busy.   It's a pretty common theme I think.

So anyway last Saturday I had the opportunity to walk out my front door with the intent to exercise.  I was completely tricked out for this event.  I had my iPhone on my handy new arm band.  The C25K application cued up.  Earbuds in place.   Rabbit on my playlist. I was ready.  Of course I had long ago thrown out anything resembling workout gear.  It all pretty much dated from the 80's so really, it needed to go, but I was dressed for my workout in jeans and a pretty nice Seminoles shirt I happened to have.  To sum up, I looked like an idiot.  I briefly considered aborting the whole mission, but instead I just kept walking.  It's the one boon of hitting 40 that I've found.  Genuine lack of caring about looking like a total idiot. 

The C25K app starts off with a "brisk 5 minute walk".  I can't say I was brisk but I was walking and it was ok.  But soon a voice intoned, "RUN".  Since the voice was a little scary, I did what he said.  My legs literally felt like I was pulling them through sludge.  I almost cried and this was only the first of 8 or so  :60 runs with :90 of walking in between.   The entire workout lasts 30 minutes.  I didn't think it was going to be possible for me to make it.  However somehow I did.  I'm not saying I ran a full :60 each time, but I kept going at least.  And since then I've managed to do it three more times.  Each time has been a little better, but still it's pure pain.

And the moral of this story is?  If you are currently working out, never stop...