Day 1 -- I SURVIVED

WOW, that was a painful dose of reality. I am completely out of shape. I was basically a lump compared to everyone else in the class. Many of my classmates have attended previously. They were very supportive and encouraging.

OK so, do I post the weight or not? I don't know.
Inches: I've already forgotten... good thing they are written down! (but the paper stays at the treehouse)
SO, fitness assessment was pitiful! I want to cry just thinking about how horribly I did. I know part of it is due to my lowered ability to breathe (bronchitis is lingering), but most of it is due to my lack of training in the past 5 years. ZERO sit ups. ZERO push ups (we weren't allowed to do girlie style). 27 squats (my favorite, but killed my legs for the run). 27 bicep curls. Held my plank for 16 seconds (probably could have gone longer, but breathing was an issue). Held my side bridge for 10 seconds -- stupid me, I did it on my LEFT, should have gone on my right as it is my stronger side!
THEN came the run. 1/2 a mile -- outside. I have not run in YEARS -- by years I mean, probably high school! (20ish years) P I T I F U L -- the cold air was a shock to my lungs, my legs were like jelly from the squats -- I started at the back of the pack. This was difficult for me... left behind, watching everyone off on a great pace, and I was struggling just to look like I was jogging. I made it to Martins and the jog turned into a walk... now everyone had made the turn and were headed back to the finish line, I hadn't even found the half way point! I round the corner and see the half way point... my lungs were talking back, the cough was coming on. I made the turn and headed back to the finish line. I see the girls running back from the finish line... they came back for me... I picked up my walking pace. (Tears are falling as I write this.) They encouraged me and asked if I thought I could jog it out to the finish line... I pushed through my mental hurtle and I jogged the rest of the way to the finish line, with the girls at my side cheering me on. I was dead last, but at the same time... I finished 1/2 a mile in under 8 minutes -- that in itself is an accomplishment for me. It probably looked weak and pathetic to the faster runners who were probably wanting to curse me for taking so long, but just 2 years ago, I couldn't walk a mile in 16 minutes! For me, this run, while painful and intimidating, showed me that I CAN accomplish big things!

At the end of our class, we took pictures. I had mine taking in my sportsbra tank and my yoga pants. I'm going to try and get a copy of the picture from Rachel so that I can post it here for you all to see. It is NOT pretty, by any stretch of anyone's imagination!

I felt really weak at the end of class. Lots of coughing. The drive home was tough, my foot was shaking as I pressed the gas pedal. Today was ONLY the assessment, the workout comes on Thursday. I'm scared!!! I better remember my food journal or we have to do FIFTY push ups!!!

Surprisingly, I'm not ready to go lay in my bed and take a nap. I've gotten Caity ready for the day, fixed breakfast for two of the kiddos, and I'll fix the other two and I some breakfast shortly. I'm definitely hungry, even after having a banana and a mini luna bar on the way to the treehouse. I am sure I'll be ready for bed early tonight. Let's hope work is light this evening, so that I can climb right in my bed and rest up.

If anyone wants to meet up tomorrow for an hour walk or something cardio, let me know! I have to do at least 3 hours of cardio on my own, outside of class each week. Walking counts!!! Tennis counts, TOO, so if anyone wants to play tennis, let me know!

On the way home from treehouse, I had some fun encounters with nature. A beautiful albino squirrel crossed in front of my car. And then when I turned into my neighborhood, a big deer was standing in the middle of the street watching me. I slowed down and let her know she was in no danger. She looked back behind her and then 3 or 4 more deer came out onto the street with her and then they darted off into the woods. So beautiful!

So, I survived day 1. Thanks for your prayers, your encouragement and your support! I know I cannot do this alone.