Getting Fit

A little over a year ago, I subscribed to Shape magazine, thinking that it might motivate me to exercise. Month after month, it has arrived in my mailbox. Month after month I have admired toned bodies, read about exercise routines, looked at healthy recipes, and then set the magazine aside, doing nothing. It has actually become a bit of a joke between my husband and I. He would bring the mail in, I would see the magazine and say "maybe this month...", only to hear a few snorts and snickers in return.

A few months ago, I became a bit more motivated, and called a local gym asking to do child care in exchange for a gym membership. They told me it was a privilege that they only extended to current members, but I asked to be put on the list anyway.

Over the holidays my sisters and I talked more about getting fit. If we spent only a fraction of the time exercising that we spend talking about exercising, we would be aerobic goddesses. But... I felt like I was getting closer to making a commitment. We contacted gyms, and found out about schedules and child care.

Then last week, I actually bought workout clothes. I had a Kohls gift card, and found some nice outfits 80% off. I hold onto my money pretty tightly, and actually spending it on clothes made me that much closer to exercising...Maybe.

And then yesterday. Yesterday I received  phone call from the gym I had contacted. Asking me if I wanted to provide childcare, in exchange for a membership. Yippee!! The deal is that I go in Thursdays from 4:30-6:30. If there are children there, I watch them. If there aren't, I can work out. And in exchange, I have a full membership, can go whenever I want to, and can bring my children for free.

I am excited about this for so many reasons. Mainly that I know I will be exercising. I am now committed to driving to that gym once a week, and I am pretty sure that is all I need to get me going. And it is free. I want to become fit, strong, not have my children comment that it looks like I am pregnant. I want to have a healthy heart, good posture, pride in myself. What a nice way to start off the new year!

And because I have been lacking in the crafty posts, here are a few gifts that I made for Christmas:

A pillow for my brother in law. He is quite the wolf fan.

A blanket for Laura. She had selected these fabrics last year, there were pink and soft. I thought this would be quick and easy. Boy was I wrong. Sewing with slippery fabric is a quick and easy way to send me over the edge. Good thing Daryl had the kids out of the house when I made this one. I was a sight to behold, let me tell you.

A "quilt" for Gavin. I am calling it a quilt, because I want to say I made a quilt. It kind of is, I cut up pieces of fabric, and sewed them together. It is lacking in the binding department though. There was no time for me to figure something like that out when I started their blankets Christmas Eve.

They are simple, but they are loved. Nothing makes me happier than tucking my children in at night, and having them make sure the blankets I made them are cozily tucked around them. It melts my heart.

Comments

[Roxanne]

Wow - lucky you! No excuses now, right! That is really a great opportunity, I hope you love it at the gym! I love that energy/ego boost you get after you work out. (Well, I seem to remember soemthing like that happening anyway!!)

[Debi]

Congratulations on getting started on your workouts. I am also getting more fit and lean.

[Mary]

That's awesome! Congrats on the sweet deal!

[Monica]

I'm glad everything worked out (pun intended) with the opportunity to get fit. :)