The End...Or just the beginning?

Well I have mostly recovered from my cold and have made the most of my last week. After a shaky start with the funky new moves on Monday I was soon back in the swing of things and made it to 4 classes this week.

I have really enjoyed all the classes I have attended. It is surprising how easily I have fitted them into my life as I never imagined I would have the energy or inclination to go so often or put so much effort in whilst I was there. Both Jane and Wendy have been fabulous.

My mood definitely lifts when I go to a class and as the weeks have gone by this has spilled over into everyday life. I feel a lot happier and motivated in general, I have more time for the children, my friends and have even squeezed in a few Spanish lessons. I feel more relaxed, I am sleeping better, have a more positive outlook and feel more confident.

So, all in all, this has been a very positive experience and I have
every intention of continuing now that this challenge is over.

So what were my goals again and given the above does it really matter? Let's see...

1. To fit back into my regular jeans...Unfortunately there is still some way to go with that goal. I did try them on but I could tell before I got them over my knees that it was a fruitless task. We will call it a work in progress.

2. To lose half a stone...Did not quite get there either. I did lose 4lbs though which I am pretty pleased with.

3. Acquire some energy...Still up at midnight so mission accomplished.

4. To feel more healthy...Well despite my recent illness I do feel healthier and a lot fitter as well and, as a result, I have also starting eating healthier and ditched the biscuits.

OK so I didn't quite reach all my goals but I believe I have made some progress in the right direction and I am confident that this is just the beginning rather than the end.

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement and will see you very soon.

Jane x

Mustn't grumble...well maybe just a bit...

Weigh in resulted in no change from last week. Bit disappointing as I had foregone a lot of my regular treats over the past week. I had even extended my fitness regime to home and had added a new routine which involved wrestling a 3 and 1/2 year old to the ground , trying to shove a spoonful of a poisonous tasting concoction (also known as antibiotics) into his tightly closed mouth and then trying to catch what he predictably spat straight back out. After 2 days of this physical and mental challenge, however, he broke and took his medicine without a fuss. I guess I will need to find something a little more consistent for home fitness.

Those first 3 lbs must have just dropped off from the sheer shock of my body actually doing some exercise. I suppose I should be grateful that at least I didn't put on any weight...BUT I'M NOT! Had to put on the old maternity trousers today as my only regular pair that fit were definitely due a wash. I am hoping that they do not fall apart before I can get back in my normal size as I am refusing to buy any new clothes until I do.

Also it doesn't help that I have caught a cold and coughed continuously all evening after the circuit class yesterday (which I had actually quite enjoyed...shhh don't tell Wendy). I am hoping that I will have recovered enough to go to Thursday's class as I really do not want to miss it. At the moment it is not looking very likely as I am feeling very grim.

Hopefully my next blog will not be so crabby...:)

Jane x

Whew...Where did last week go?

Another week down. Is it just me or has this week gone very quickly?
I did, however, manage to make it 4 classes.

Monday - Superobics
Tuesday - Circuit
Thursday - Dance Fit & Tone
Saturday - Funk & Tone.

This has required a bit of shuffling of everyone's schedules and my husband has been getting up a little earlier so that he can make it home in time for me to go to the evening classes. I do appreciate this as he is not a natural early bird.

I have also noticed from the washing that he has been to the gym quite a few times this week. Maybe my enthusiasm is having a knock on effect. My son has also been very interested in my new nocturnal activities and he excitedly waves me off from the front door every evening. My daughter is unfortunately not so keen and I can sometimes hear her screaming her protest all the way up the road.

On the whole I have been really enjoying all the classes (yes even circuit...although mostly in retrospect). Some days I don't think I will have the energy but when the evening arrives I seem to perk up and get myself out the door.

I had actually been feeling very tired on Thursday and it was a little bit of an effort to go. I didn't actually think I would be too energetic but to my surprise I found myself on a real high about halfway through the class and was jumping around like a mad woman. I am quite glad Jane didn't have her camera out at that point as it may not have been pretty.

Anyway, here's to another week of jackson and travolta.

See you Monday.

Jane x

Week 1 - Weigh In Results

I did manage to drag myself to the dreaded scales on Monday morning and here are the results...

Week 0 - 10st 2lbs
Week 1 - 9st 13lbs

I am pretty pleased with that considering I am still raiding the biscuit tin on a regular (albeit not quite so regular) basis. The biscuit supplies are, however, starting to run low now and I will not be replenishing my stockpile so hopefully this will put an end to this bad habit.

Not feeling quite so energetic today as my 1 good night's sleep and been followed by 3 very poor ones but still looking forward to tonight's class and hoping that it will give me a much needed energy boost.

Jane x

One week down...

Well after a hectic morning of ferrying children to their respective activities I made it to Funk & Tone (my 4th class in one week). Who would have thought it? A few minutes late but hopefully I can be forgiven. Unfortunately, I think one Saturday activity may need to go (sorry Nina but at 18 months you won't notice and I will justify it by saying that it will be better for you in the long run to have a fitter, healthier, happier Mum).

On the positive side I am enjoying the exercise and I am really looking forward to my next class later today. I also slept all the way through until my husband's alarm went off which is a very rare treat. I have always been a rather poor sleeper.

I am, however, still struggling on the diet side of things. I cannot seem to resist a good pudding and I am really not looking forward to getting on the scales tomorrow morning. I will try and be virtuous today in the hope that the scales will be kind.

Thanks for all your comments. It is nice to hear your stories and words of encouragement.

Jane x

Feeling Good

3 classes down and I am actually trying to work out how I can squeeze in an extra class in this week. I really enjoyed Jane's Dance Fit and Tone class last night and for the first time I don't feel like I have been run over by a bus the next day. Saturday is a tricky day due to children's activities but I will try to find a way.

I have just read Hayley's blog and unfortunately, in my case more exercise = more food. In fact I was so ravenous after the class last night I did not stop to chat and headed straight home for a hearty meal. Luckily my husband had something yummy prepared for me when I walked in the door. Thank you Paul.

Not sure if I have lost any weight yet but I do feel like I have a bit more energy which is fabulous and probably a bit more important for me anyway.

Also one of the best things about the classes for me so far has been having some time to do something just for me. I cannot remember the last time I was out on my own 3 times in one week and last night was the first time in ages I just switched off and lived in the moment.

Wow...that was a quite a positive blog from me...maybe exercise does make you feel good...

Jane x

Facing my demons

I must say I was a bit hesitant about going to the circuit class tonight. I even found myself scanning the timetable for another class that would fit my schedule. Nothing did so I had to face my demons (also known as the lunge and the squat). I thought it was going to be tough...and I was right...I came home with a face like a beetroot...and I think I may still have been puffing. I think the last time I spotted any muscle definition on my body was in 2003 so I do find strength training pretty daunting. I did it though and 2 hours later I am feeling pretty good (albeit a little sore). I did, however, just have a little think about the choccie biscuits in the cupboard but resisted and came up to write this blog instead.

I guess I should state my current weight so we have a clear benchmark for progress. 10st 2lbs this morning. This was a little depressing as I had weighed myself before Christmas and I was only 9st 7lbs. Maybe I overindulged a tiny bit over the Christmas period.

Looking forward to my next class. See you then.

Jane x

Happy New Year!

Hello.

Think I may have written my last diary entry when I was about 12 years old and although I have been a member of facebook for a number years I have never once updated my status. This leads me to believe I am not a natural born blogger. However, as it is a new year...a new decade in fact I am prepared to put fingers to keyboard in the quest for a fitter, slimmer, more energetic me.

A bit about myself. I have 2 young children (always on the go), have just spent the last 6 months renovating our house (very stressful) and find myself more often than not collapsed on the sofa of an evening (a box of chocolates within easy reach). I am hoping that committing myself to 3 classes a week and having to tell you all about it will be the motivation I need to get myself back into exercising on a regular basis and hopefully acquiring some much needed energy.


My main goals for the next 4 weeks are :-

1. To fit back into my regular jeans and to have the courage to finally throw out my maternity jeans which to my horror still seem to be making appearances in public 18 months after my second child was born. Scandalous!

2. Lose 1/2 stone (closely related to Goal 1)

3. Acquire some more energy so that I can have some time for myself that doesn't consist of falling asleep in front of the telly.

4. Feel a bit more healthy in general.

1 class and 1 blog. So far so good. Look forward to meeting you at a class and Will keep you posted.


Jane x