Feeling good Friday!

Wow,it's Friday - we made it through the first week of the new year! I not only made it to the gym all week but I trained hard! I'm so proud of myself. Today, I did two hours! Now, I work out for 2 hours several times a week but it's not usually like today. It's usually because I want to do a group exercise class (like Zumba, Kickboxing, or Cycle)that runs an hour long and also use the weight training / gym facilities often meeting up with Rich for a gym date. Today though, I did it all on my own. I missed Zumba this morning and there aren't any Friday night group exercise classes. So I decided to work out on my own. I started my routine with 30 mins of elliptical. Then I moved on to do this ab-coaster machine. I do 3 sets of 20 on each side of my abs and in the middle. My core is really week from years of neglect. It's my biggest problem area right now but I can tell it's changing and strengthening - slowly. I did a ton of different resistance and weight training today. For a cool down, I did a jog/fast walk on the treadmill. I'm already feeling the burn but it feels great!

Today I faced two "fears" at the gym.

Fear # 1

It might sound kinda funny but I'm afraid of the treadmill. I have bad knees and I've pretty much always disliked running - big boobs and running do not go together. It's not a pretty site. Plus I've struggled with my endurance and didn't want to fail. My endurance has increased since working out so I decided that I'm going to concur this fear of the treadmill and use it for my advantage. I jog/walked today as a cool down for close to 15 mins. Next time, I'm going to do more. It's sort of a personal challenge for me.

Fear # 2
There is this machine at the gym. It intimidates me so much. It looks so challenging and I've really only seen really fit people and personal trainers use it. While I was working out on all the normal machines I decided that I was going to try something new - a challenge today. I didn't even know how to use the machine, I walked up read the instructions but didn't really "get it". The machine is next to the personal training section so I asked one of the trainers if she would help me. Even that took courage - she is this cute tiny blond girl with 0 fat but so strong, and man, even though she is tiny her muscles are huge. I've seen her work out! lol She was super helpful and friendly though and the machine wasn't so difficult. I am going to add it to my weight training machine. I'm naming the machine - the intimidator. ha ha Here is a picture of a similar intimidator..