Who's that girl?

I started working out with a trainer the other day. As I was standing there in my (new) workout clothes facing the full wall of mirrors I had to wonder to myself -- Who is that fat person? Is that really me? How could I let myself go this much? And finally, I really need to quit with the spandex-type top because really, does the whole gym need to see the intimate details of my flab? I seriously did not look at myself in the mirror for the rest of the workout because I just don't like looking at the rolls that form whenever my midsection is even slightly bent over. Unhealthy body image? I am not super obsessed with my weight and never really have been, but I just don't feel comfortable at this present weight.  So I finally got brave enough to do something about it.

A little backstory: I have 3 children born within 4 years of each other. That is a lot of time being pregnant or nursing/caring for an infant. And let's be serious, when you've got a houseful of babies it is much easier to sit around and watch The Wiggles rather than workout. So the weight started to creep up. 

About 2 years ago I joined Weight Watchers while working at PennWell. It was a good program and I had lots of coworkers doing it too, so the support was good. I also joined an indoor soccer league simultaneously, so I was able to get down to a comfortable weight for awhile. Then we moved to St. John and I no longer worked and didn't really know anyone for about 6 months and got extremely lazy just sitting around the house and baking yummy treats. From there things just kept going up. A direct result of too much time on the couch and not enough exercise. Near the end of our time in St. John I had finally joined a Pilates class that I really enjoyed, but then entered the move to Mexico and the same situation has presented itself all over again. This time language has been a barrier, so I have mostly stayed inside my safe little condo all day and watched my American TV. So many excuses, I know, I know.

I used to be pretty athletic. I mean I did play college soccer and everything. I don't mind a good workout, so I have to ask myself why I have become so sedentary over the last 2 (okay make that about 8) years. I like working out in a group, so I think part of the problem was finding someone to workout with. Since we moved into our mega-neighborhood complete with gym, I have done some cardio on the elliptical sporadically and always seen a woman trainer kicking her clients butts. I wanted my butt kicked! Of course I was always too nervous to actually go talk to her because she speaks Spanish and I do not. Finally about a week ago my neighbor and I were talking and she said something about starting to work out again with her trainer and then she said she would introduce us. Long story short, I started working out with the trainer (the same one I had always seen) this week and so far the language barrier has not been a problem. Or maybe my Spanish is coming along better than I give myself credit for.

So, I am now in workout/weight-loss mode. It's nice to actually break a sweat from something other than sitting out at the pool. I don't even really mind the sore muscles because they are a testament to the hard work I have been doing. And now I have something new to blog about, just to give you fair warning.

Unless I die from the torturous workouts first.