When did I start to like this???

It's been an interesting, entertaining summer. I turned forty in June. Some interesting, entertaining people have come into my life from the strangest of places. What is most surprising to me though, is that something that started out as a way to get out of the house and have some time to myself has turned into a new hobby.

I've always hated exercise. Especially running. Something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe that rubbing was my thighs... but whatever the reason, I just didn't "get" why people would go out and just run - not to anything, or from anything... just ... running.

Since July, I've been racking up a few kilometres on my overpriced sneakers. It started as a stroll around my neighbourhood, without a real goal in mind. It used to take me about 30 minutes to do the three kilometre loop. When I began tracking my time, I found myself pushing to go faster and faster. It's become a game. I've cracked the 26 minute mark, and can actually run for 10 minutes without hacking up a lung.

It's now November, and I'm still interested. My father jokes that I've finally snapped my lazy bone - maybe he's right. Maybe it's the incentive of wanting to justify the newly purchased treadmill in my basement. Frankly, I don't care what it is. All I know is that this is the most I've done to take care of myself in a long time. And it feels really, really good.

The 3k game

Last night I cracked the 30 minute mark on my 3 kilometre loop around the neighbourhood. I ran again. Twice, in fact.

Tonight was a little slower, but I met up with a friend on the way and we chatted as we walked. She's a runner who occasionally walks, so it's still a fairly brisk pace. I tend to walk slower when I'm with someone else, though, so I have to keep reminding myself why I'm out there.

It's going to be a good summer.

Dread the Shred.

Well... I could blame it on the broken DVD player, but frankly that would be an excuse. To be honest, I hate exercising. So, when the DVD player really did die, I took it as a sign from someone that I needed to find another way to get my 40 year old ass in gear.

I've found it. There's a road that encircles my neighbourhood, and it is just over three kilometres round trip from my house. It's a lovely, well-lit road and very little traffic during my late-evening preferred walking time. It's beautiful.

I even (dare I say it) RAN for about 2 and a half minutes tonight, and I'm not barfing up a lung. Those of you who know me should realize what a monumental achievement that is.

I hope this is the start of a long relationship between my feet and the road, 'cause frankly, my ass and the couch have been far too snuggly for far too long.

Here's to a fabulous 40th year!!

Level 2

Ok, so enough of level one. Time to really get serious. Day one of level two today, and it was HARD. But I still did it. And I will again tomorrow, and the next day... until the end of 10 days! Stay tuned...

Today is day 6

I'm almost a week into the 30 Day Shred, and I can now do 12 pushups in a row. On my knees, granted... but it's a start.

It's getting easier each day, but I still don't like exercise. I envy those people who find joy and fulfillment in being active, 'cause I'm not one of you! It's a grunt each and every frikken time I have to drag my sorry ass off the couch and into some sort of physical activity.

I don't know if that will ever change, and frankly, I really don't care! I don't need to "like" exercising; I just need to DO IT.

Day 3....

It's Shred, day 3, again... and tomorrow is day 4 :) Thanks Angela, and Bo and everyone else, including my kids - "Moooom! Did you do your shred yet???" - for helping drag me along.

I'm GOING to get to day 30. Thirty days. Consecutively.

The Shred... again.

It seems my motivation level is even lower than my fitness level. Ugh. I am going to try YET AGAIN to get on track... we'll see how it goes on attempt number three.