My Motivation to Work Out

Soooo I absolutely despise working out, so much that I have not worked out in about four years. With the ever so dreadful (or exciting?) 30th birthday approaching in a few months I have made it a goal to go to the gym at least three times a week.  My hope is that I don’t feel winded after carrying my 30 plus pound child up the two flights of stairs in our townhouse.  If I get a slimmer figure and a flatter tummy that will be an added bonus.  I know they always say the first day is the hardest, but I also dread the soreness the day after.  The problem is, where do I begin?… I know I need to eat healthy and hit the gym, but I also need motivation to do it.    Well this past weekend that decision was made for me.

I decided to visit one of my best girlfriends in NYC for a quick girls’ weekend while her hubby was out of town.  As a “fun” thing to do she booked us a SoulCycle spin class on a Saturday morning.   She actually wanted to do back to back classes, but I was like “Honey, I have not hit a gym in forever, I need the beginner class.”   I was feeling good and thought I was looking good in my Lululemon everything because doesn’t everyone need to look great before they hit a workout?   I was unprepared for the torture that awaited me.  Looking back I should have been prepared, this is the same friend that took me to the Hamptons for a weekend of fun and made me go to an early Saturday a.m. body sculpting class at Physique 57.  I was shaking the first five minutes in of that class.  It was not a pretty picture; at least I was rewarded a relaxing day at the pool after.  I learned from that experience, DO NOT drink the night before a work out class.  The fitness instructors of the NYC area take their classes very seriously.  Not two minutes into the class (which was 45 minutes long) I already felt sweat running down my face.  The class was fast paced and fun, but also a wake up call that I am completely out of shape.  By the end of the class what started out as a glisten was a terrential down pour.  I am pretty sure I left a puddle of sweat under my bike.  That class was three days ago and I am still sore, but have decided it was the motivation I needed for a path to a healthier me.  Today I start hot yoga, along with the fitness factor I was told that it will help me relieve some of my stress.  I am definitely looking forward to it.

Moral of the story, be open to new things even if they are out of the box for you.  Even though at the time I was miserable, I am thankful for my friend kicking my booty into gear and pushing me to live a healthier lifestyle.  At the end of the day we all want to feel good and improve our health, even if that means sweating on our vacation.