In the Begining

Day 1
I'm not really sure how one goes about setting up a blog.  I read and enjoy many blogs, but never really entertained the thought of starting my own.  Until today.  Today was day one of the wealth for my health challenge.  In the past 5 days, I read about, applied for, was selected and started this journey to overall fitness and health. 

Originally, I planned to keep this a well kept secret between my husband, parents, and fellow co-workers that are joining me on the journey. That way, if I didn't do well or follow through, no one would have to know about my failure.   However, it is no secret to anyone that I am the fattest (YES mom, I AM fat) that I have ever been, so why should my journey to change that be a secret?  Don't get me wrong, I am not planning on a major announcement regarding my blog, but at the same time, I'm OK sharing  this with others in order to journal my experiences, successes, and in all reality, occasional failures, or should I say "setbacks"? 

So, what was Day 1 really about?  We (all 70) participants met at Antelope Park, listed to Marty from the Biggest Loser, Season 3, and had our first challenge.  (When I learn to incorporate pictures I will post a photo of Marty.)  We have been divided into 4 teams, based upon our trainers and then we were presented our first challenge.  To say I was nervous was an understatement.  It was just last week that I walked uphill (slight incline, not even really a hill)  to pick up my daughter from a neighbor's house and felt short of breath from that!  My team (Body Innovations) was then further divided into 4 groups.  Our trainers asked us who wanted to answer questions and who wanted to do jumping jacks.  Figuring that I could at least do a jumping jack, I volunteered for that.  HOLY CRAP, no one warned me that the jumping jacks would be AFTER we had to run across the park, to the sandbox, and THEN run back to where we started.  I do not want to offend anyone with too much information, but between feeling as if my stomach or ass that was flopping in every which direction was going to fly up and cause permanent neck damage while running to nearly peeing myself with each jumping jack (childbirth + fat= bad combination), I had instant confirmation that this is EXACTLY where I need to be.  My team didn't win the challenge, but that's OK, I was too short of breath to even notice!

AFTER this, we next were weighed, measured (neck, shoulders, chest, arms, thighs, waist, and calves), and had our body fat calculated.  It was in private, NOT a public humiliation like on the Biggest Loser.  Talk about a depressing experience.  The comforting part (besides leaving) was hearing the contestants from the last challenge talk about the amount of weight, number of inches, and overall improved health they feel since starting 4 months ago.

While I would love to win the final $1000 prize, setting a good example for my kids, eating right, exercising and establishing new GOOD habits far outweighs (no pun intended) any amount of money.  Don't get me wrong, $1000 would be welcome anytime, but I want this change to be forever, FOR-E-VER!

Tomorrow night (Monday) we have a weekly meeting, and our first group boot camp is scheduled for Friday, but it is my goal to attend at least 3 boot camps a week!  I think that the term boot camp sounds intimidating, but everyone told me that the boot camps are FUN, and our team trainers are the best!  I really am excited, and I can't remember the last time I was excited for exercise.

So, game on.  It's a new journey, but one that has been a long time coming, and very necessary.  I know I can  and will do it.  I'm so grateful to BK for encouraging me, supporting me and promising to do whatever he can to take care of our family while I spend the next four months (and ultimately forever) creating new habits and going from the Fat Star to the All Star.  My family IS the best!

Until next time. . . . .