Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Small changes

This week (or sometime around now - my memory isn't great) marks the two year anniversary of my joining a gym. I never thought I would be a gym person, but when the new gym opening very near our house called with a 2 for 1 offer, my partner and I decided it was probably a good thing to do.

And I've surprised myself. I have enjoyed going to the gym. I started off just pootling around, mainly. Then I started doing Pilates and yoga classes. Of course, just when I started getting the hang of them, the gym changed the timetable and I couldn't make it to those classes anymore. So I started doing other classes. Spin, pump, step and combat. Each one has been challenging.

But when I look in the mirror, or try on the clothes I haven't been able to fit into for years, there isn't a big difference. Stepping on the scale, I don't see smaller numbers. I've been working out for 2 years, up to 5 days a week, and still am not noticeably thinner.

Last night though, I realized the differences are there. I'm much more muscular that I was. I have triceps you can see! When I squat, there are real muscles in my thighs. The changes are small, but they are there.

It's like anything. You get results by keeping at it. If you give up because you feel like you're failing, then you're not giving yourself a chance to get better at it.

What have you given up too soon? What did you stick at long enough to see results?

4 comments:

  1. Plus, if you feel better that's a huge part of a fitness routine. I've been going to the gym regularly for years; ideally 4 days a week would be great, but I usually do 2. I had minor surgery on my foot this year that took me out of the gym for 6 weeks. I hated how I felt - tension in my neck, felt more tired etc. The kicker was I actually LOST a pound. But I think I lost muscle, too.

    Good for you keeping your commitment to health. I think it's important to find something you like. I'd go crazy if all I did was the treadmill. I do yoga, turbokick, spinning and whatever else seems like a challenge to keep it interesting.

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  2. That is SO me. I run. I work out. I do pilates. I lift weights. I bike. I treadmill. And yeah, it makes a difference in how I feel, and a bit how I look, but my pre-kids designer jeans may never fit back on this bod . . .

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  3. Darn kids... Hope they appreciate one day what they've done to our bodies. My boobs are never gonna be the same, that's for sure!

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  4. When I really started working out I gained weight, but I looked better so I assume it was all muscle...or something :)

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