Now for the other reason I wanted to post here in my Weight-loss/Workout blog. For a while I was in a transition. We switched gyms and in I was trying to adjust to a new schedule, kids schedules and my husband's schedule. I use to do a great circuit class at the previous gym and since switching I was looking for a class that would be similar. But being a new place I struggled. I would run, I would lift weights with my husband and I really enjoyed that, however I needed to be in a class setting. I wanted to be told what to do and working out in a class helps because you don't want to just quit and walk out in front of everyone! So it is encouraging.
I started gaining a little bit of weight back :( but not too much. I knew I just needed to find a class. Well I increased my cardio (of running) and started a new class called Total Body Sculpt. There are three different instructors and so far I have only done classes with two of them. The first class we used a 12-15lb body bar, we used light and heavy hand weights (5-8 lbs), we used a step, and some used a bar bell with changeable weights. (I stuck to the body bar) And basically we worked each muscle group. It was pretty intense but my next class I will use heavier weights. My Second day was different. I really enjoyed this instructor. She believes in using your body weight as the main source, she wishes we could do it all barefoot and she is a gymnast and a dancer, so in this class we used a 12lb body bar and a yoga mat :) We did tons of lower body lunges, squats, plies and we did some presses with the body bar. It was such a different workout from the first class but it was so much harder!!! I loved it. I am now officially hooked on this class. I love that it is different because of the different instructors. I like that it challenges me and makes me stronger. For a while now I have been feeling like I've just gained this little bit of extra weight and I look soft. I really struggle with seeing myself as "thin, or strong" I know i'm not overweight, I know I'm not fat but I don't feel fit, toned, or like I said STRONG. But then I saw my pictures from the Color Run. Let me post the first one for you.
When I saw this picture I was like "wow, I have muscles in my legs and my arms look thin and my stomach isn't bulging out like a hot air balloon" I was honestly shocked because to me, when I saw this picture I look strong. I look tone, I look fit. My thighs aren't hugging each other. Then I thought well maybe, it's the angle? Maybe it's the lighting that helps hide some of those things making my arms appear thinner? So I went looking through some other shots of me.
Here, I find that my arms do look thinner, I'm not exactly flexing but if I did I pretty sure there is some muscle there :) But my biggest shock was my bottom half. This is my problem area. I've always hated my legs, hated my thighs, hated my lower stomach (since having kids) But my legs don't look bad, in fact they look thinner than ever. Now lets address my shorts that i'm wearing. This is the first time I've ever worn these under armor shorts out in public. I don't know why I chose to wear them on this day of all days, but I said "who cares" I don't want to wear long work out pants, I don't want to be hot and dying from the heat (which it was actually a really beautiful and perfect day to run). So I wore these and I'm glad I did because I really can see that my body is transforming and that feels soooooo good.
It's nice to finely find your groove. Something that works for you. Something you enjoy doing. I just wish it wouldn't have taken me so long to realize how much I actually enjoy it!
The Color Run ~ the Happiest 5k on the Planet
