Week One

Team Castanet meets Monday's and Thursday's between 5:30 and 6:30 so I didn't have to wait long to meet my team.  After work I went home, packed my gym bag and headed to the gym for 5.  I needed time to fill out paperwork and find the change rooms.  :)

As I was driving to Global Fitness, I was overwhelmed by the most beautiful sunset.  Normally I am inside making dinner at this time so I often miss these wonderful sites.  I wondered what else I had been missing out on, but I realized that the journey I was about to begin would help me quit missing out.  I was about to begin living in a whole new way.  I was extremely nervous.  I wasn't doing this with anyone I knew.  My support system was in place, and its a good one, but I still had to do this alone.  My husband, kids and friends are all incredibly supportive but none of them were going to be walking through the door with me.

I met Carla, a member of Team Castanet, at the desk and together we found the change rooms and the rest of our team.  Stephanie joined us and we introduced ourselves to each other.  I felt a little more comfortable.  After going over the basics of the program and some of the expectations Stephanie has, we went upstairs to work out.

The work out was great.  Stephanie is very encouraging and despite wondering how long the work out would last and whether or not I would last as long, I was feeling less nervous.  When she told us to never apologize for doing out best, I knew this was going to be ok.  Since we were working out upstairs I did wonder how I would make it back down after the work out, but we all managed.

Tuesday morning came, and I was stiff although not as stiff as I thought I would be.  Since I am on my feet all day, the stiffness worked itself out by lunch.  After work, I headed back to Global Fitness.  Again I was nervous.  I wasn't meeting anyone today and I had to figure out what to do.  I got changed and quickly found a treadmill.  I made it for 40 minutes!  Not bad for the first day on my own.

Tuesday evening I was sore, even more than in the morning but Wednesday came and I headed back to the gym after work.  This time was easier to walk through the doors.  I was starting to feel like I belonged.  I hit the treadmill for 45 minutes, and after I was sore but ecstatic.  I was doing this.

Thursday was time for our second team workout.  Somehow I was nervous again.  Stephanie was introducing us to Tabata, and we were going to weigh in.  Tabata sounded intense and I don't really like the scale although it is a necessary evil in this battle.  My food journal was ready for Stephanie so I handed it in and stepped on the scale.........I was down!  And it was a lot more than I expected.  That made me forget briefly about the tabata but only briefly.  It was an intense work out but I felt like I had done better than the first work out.  Maybe I was spurred on by the scale but I was more focused despite  the pain I was feeling. My legs were burning when we were done but it was the best feeling.......to know I had given a good effort.

Friday and Saturday I went back and did the treadmill again.  Saturday I pushed it to 50 minutes and knew I had earned my Sunday rest day.

Today is that day and I am enjoying what I have accomplished so far.  Yes I am a little stiff but that is a result of working hard.  My food journal is up to date and I've made some switches.  I have given up butter on my toast for almond butter which actually tastes so good that I feel like I am cheating while getting some healthy fat.  I've given up cheese which I love and I am getting my dairy from yogurt and cottage cheese.  I have also discovered that I have even more support than I thought which was already a lot.  My husband has made it clear that the next 3 months is all about me and he is willing to fend for himself and the boys when necessary.  My oldest son made dinner one day last week.  My youngest son has listened to me talk about my sessions and my daughter makes for a wonderful cheerleader.  I had coffee with my best friend today who listened intently to everything that has happened this week and people at work are offering their encouragement as well.  I have finished this week up realizing that I can do this and even if I have to walk through the doors of Global Fitness alone, I am far from alone in this.  Bring on Week Two!