A Step In The Right Direction
 

I've been on the diet for a couple weeks now... haven't lost a lot but I'm making excellent progress, I think. The calorie counting and decent food-eating has been going well.

I've been dragging my heels (literally and figuratively) on the exercise front, though. Went to Curves and tried it out, didn't like it so much. I have access to the university gym but it's always full of super-skinny girls. Last weekend I went to the local YMCA because I heard they have a sliding-scale fee program... convenient for people like me who don't have any money.

They gave me an excellent monthly rate and told me about a 12 week program for beginners that sets you up with a personal trainer-type person who teaches you how to use all the machines and gives you a workout routine to follow. I had my first appointment on Saturday. It was awesome even though I'm still pretty sore... actually, really sore.

So the plan is to go 4X a week for an hour each time, at least half an hour of cardio each day, and strength training 3 of the 4 days. Planning on going tomorow AM before work, just to see if that could be a way to work it into my schedule.

I guess the point is this: I'm really, really pleased with myself for the first time in a long time. Though I haven't seen any results yet, it's nice to know that I have both a goal AND a plan that will help me get there. Woohoo! :)

Sounds like you`ve got a pretty good plan there. I think adding in the exercise element will help you see results even faster. :)

Good job so far, and good luck!!

kella, that sounds like a great plan. Congratulations on the exercise and finding a gym that you like and is affordable for you. WTG.

The exercise will definetly boost your metabolism. I work out before work every morning and it really does give you more energy throughout the day. At first it was hard to get up an extra hour early, but now my body it used to it.

:) Good job! Be proud of yourself, I think actually going and getting set up is one of the more difficult parts!

Update:

AM workouts are not going to happen for me. I thought that the exercise would help me wake up, but it just made me want to go back to bed and not to work. It was nice being there so early... aside from a few much older people walking around the track, I had the place more or less to myself. I just can't imagine doing this on a regular basis. But the good news is this: I worked out today, even though I didn't want to. And now I have all afternoon to myself. How fantastic is that?