So, in the interest of bonding with my co-workers – and having decided it was time to tone up, I joined ‘the 21 day fix’

It takes place after work in our aptly named ‘training room’.

It was a lot easier standing up and speaking in front of the agents earlier today during the meeting, than it was planking on a mat later in the same room.

Not needing to lose weight, I’m skipping the diet part.  But I shall share my foray into exercise with you by journaling a couple of days at a time.

Day 1:  I didn’t have a mat.  Was advised they’d get me one because I wouldn’t want rug burn.  (Since it was just us girls in the room at the time, I confessed that it’s been a long time since I’ve had rug burn and wasn’t sure if I minded.)  But, okay, guess I needed a mat.

I thought there was a warm up?  Why are we running in place and doing jumping jacks without stretching?  Oh – this is the warm up??  Ok.  I can do this.

Push ups … um … for someone who doesn’t weigh much, it’s sure as hell hard to push that small weight up with my little arms!

Sit ups – I had to be doing them wrong, because they didn’t hurt.

The trainer next to me, with muscles where I didn’t know muscles could be born, was ‘feeling’ it.  WTH?

I was not feeling it.  At all.  Wait!  No!  I did feel it in my neck.  That’s when I laid down on the mat, thinking I was being responsible.  After all, if I’m doing it wrong – this … circular sit up – then I should probably not do it right?  “Don’t quit on yourself!”  Oh god.

There were weights and scissor sit ups and then – the planking.

I’ve tried this before, and wondered what all the fuss was about.  Easy!!!  Um, not so much when you’ve already awoken your muscles and done dozens of push ups!  Okay, four … FOUR push ups.

I am pathetic.

I assumed since I could carry 12 grocery bags in the house after opening and closing the gate with 1 finger, I was in shape.

I assumed since I can lift desks, couches and filing cabinets without complaint – I was in shape.

I assumed that since I could carry a wriggling, 70 pound hairy manatee into the bath tub, after chasing her around the house – I was in shape.

I am not in shape.

My arms and ‘pectorals’ (I was calling them boob muscles) are quivering.  I’m actually tired – and I did the “I worked out!  I think I’ll eat something healthy for dinner!” thing.

This week should be good. Good for post fodder anyway.

_______________________________

Day 2: Lower fix.

I almost bowed out tonight.  My cold had come stomping back into my head like it owned the place this morning. But I took the determined and stubborn route, had my son bring medicine and decided I was NOT going to bow out.

I’m in this now – and I don’t quit!

My first thought, as I waited patiently in my work out clothes was, okay, no problem!  I’m flexible!  My legs are “strong like ox.”  Only, I’m home now, and they feel about as strong as “newborn calf” (No pun intended.)

A work friend who always gives me a hard time (it’s our thing we do – he’s not being cruel) was behind me tonight – and not in the supportive sense of the word.  He kept making me laugh, which made holding poses that already had me quivering even more difficult.

In front of me – “Don’t quit on yourself” trainer.  I was sandwiched.

You know how avid joggers and exercisers talk about breaking that pain barrier and getting that exercise high?  I haven’t experienced that yet.  But I did ‘feel it’ in my thighs and arse tonight, AND, I broke a sweat!  So, that’s one small step lunge for womankind.

My favorite part is still the warm down.  And any exercise that has us on the ground.

I’m hungry.

Considering my pre-work out snack was 4 boxes of conversation hearts and cold medicine, this is not surprising.

Good thing I’m not doing the diet part.

Tomorrow is Pilates!  I’m going out on a stretchy limb and assuming my assumption that it will be easy is wrong.

But I’m doin’ it anyway!

18 more to go!  (I missed the first one if you’re doing the math.)