Yes, I have started the second month of getting in shape. I have lost about 8 lbs., I have more energy and I feel a strange sense of mental well-being, which at times almost feels like euphoria. My friend Jean told me that it’s the endorphins one releases when working out, as well as the added amount of oxygen that is sent through the system. I had no idea!
It has NOT gotten easier for me. Quite on the contrary. Every time I am thinking “ha, I am getting the hang of this,” my trainer ups the stakes. He keeps making things harder and he holds me to my word. Besides three times a week of training with him, I also have to do cardio three times a week, namely for 30 minutes each. ACK! I hate cardio (and as far as I know, so does the entire rest of the world) but the consequences are dire when I skip it. There is punishment now! On Monday skipping one day of last week’s cardio resulted in one-legged squats and other “strength training techniques” that literally had me gasp for air. I honestly thought I am going to faint. Meanwhile, Kenyatta, my trainer, stands there with his arms folded, watching me, grinning and telling me “can’t is not in our vocabulary! Keep going, or I’ll have you start over.”
It is quite amazing what strength and endurance I DO have! I had no idea I would last this long. Alas, the weight is coming off and my clothes are getting baggy. People started to notice as well, especially if they haven’t seen me in a while. I have gotten really good with the diet and have a pretty good understanding how many calories things have. Hence, I usually stay around 1,200 calories a day now, while burning a whopping 2,500 on the days I work out. This is when cardio really pays off!
Kenyatta pointed out to me that I could have lost more if I would have done my cardio more regularly. *sigh* Now I simply don’t skip it anymore. I have learned the trick. I HAVE to do cardio on the days when I work out with him, namely after. This is very difficult, because he works me hard, but on the other hand, it keeps my muscles from getting sore. The soreness after doing legs is less severe after I add cardio. Although, my glutes and hamstrings are in severe pain right now. Walking is not our friend and neither is climbing stairs.
This is the hardest thing I have ever done! It is harder than quitting smoking. I now curse that I have waited so long. Losing fat is definitely harder than gaining it, haha. Oddly enough I haven’t felt like quitting. Even though I know what awaits me, I am always really happy afterwards that I did it. When I look in the mirror and start noticing the difference I feel glad that I did. I can honestly say that getting a personal trainer was the best investment I have EVER made!
I am losing the weight, I am getting stronger, I have more energy, and my neck and back do not hurt as often anymore. Come to think of it, I haven’t had as many problems with pain, period. I sleep better and mentally I feel more alert, positive and rejuvenated. It feels a little as if I have been hibernating for the past 10 years and now I am waking up. Odd, but true.
Below I am including a picture I took 2 weeks ago. The face is getting thinner! I hope to soon show full “before” and “after” pictures! 
