Working Out My Work Out

A part of growing up I was not anticipating to happen so soon in my adulthood, is the dreaded weight gain. When I was at USF as a Freshman I experienced the natural weight gain with living away from home for the first time and I did have a new medication which has a side effect of weight gain, but between the end of Freshman year and the beginning of Senior year I gained, (I cannot believe I am about to admit this to the world wide web!) approximately 40 pounds! **Insert gasp** I do not think that the weight I am today is outrageous, or even above normal, but prior to integrating exercise back into my life I was feeling sluggish, not toned, uncomfortable finding things to wear (not able to just go buy another wardrobe for my new size) and just very different.

Side Note: Entering college I needed to gain weight. I did not realize this until I was looking back on high school pictures, and I honestly look sick. My arms look like a skeleton's. Here is a look back for you all (I am in the white shorts):
Thank the Lord for my parents. They have never pressured me to be one thing or another, especially with my size. However, knowing I wanted to start working out, my mom suggested that we rejoin Curves . Yes, the women-only 30-minute circuit workout, whose clients mostly consist of the 40 and over crowd. This is so good for me because I can always fit in a 30-minute whole body workout during my day. In addition to boxing, I really feel healthier and I have way more energy. My workouts did help me lose a few pounds within the first month and then....nothing. I have hit some sort of plateau, but would still like to lose a few more lbs. and get a little more toned.

I have tried the diet thing and that did NOT work out for me. I become a really bitter person when I am not satisfied with what I eat. In addition to cutting down on the unhealthy stuff I love to consume (Dick's cheeseburgers and Trader Joe's Strawberry Licorice) I have come to the only conclusion....I need to run. I have always HATED running and avoided it at all costs, but I believe that if I run around Greenlake three times a week and keep up with my regular routine, I can get in the shape I dream of! Plus it is just too beautiful to pass up. Here is a picture of the lake:
I had my first trial run...run, yesterday and man do I need to start small! I think I ran for about a mile (with a long stretch break in the middle) and I was exhausted. Even though I am no Wilma Rudolph (and never, ever will be) I am just proud that I am trying!

Well after a long time of vacation from nannying I get to see Kate tomorrow, so I better take the dogs out and get to sleep, but not before reading a few chapters in Kathy Griffin's book! Too funny!

Wish me luck with my running adventures......