Working Out...

So at some point in time, James and I decided we wanted to get back in shape. Even with playing hockey a couple times a week, both of us are far from the strength and endurance that existed 10 years ago.

James swam competitively in high school and I ran track and trained/competed in Tae-Kwon-Do. Both of us were in great shape! So maybe that is why I feel that I have fallen so far.

Anyway, we've gone back and forth in the past and not really stuck with anything in regard to getting back into shape and a healthier lifestyle. I think what helped this time is that James wanted to get back into swimming and started things off, I decided to tag along.

We joined the Chilson Center in Loveland, which is the city recreation facility. It is reasonably priced, has good equipment and very important: it has a pool! We are loosely following the Body for Life program. Which means we alternate weight lifting and cardio six days a week and then have a day off. You are supposed to eat six meals a day with portions of protein and carbs about the size of your fist for six days and then you have a free day each week.

We've been really good about the exercise portion (it's been a lot of fun) and pretty good about the food. I have never been big a fan of diets, I like food too much, but this eating guide works fairly well. Meals are a little smaller, but still plentiful and we are usually full, plus eating six times a day is a lot! Mostly you are watching portions and limiting sugars and fats (did I mention we are "loosely" following this? I think James is doing better than me though), the best part is that there is a "free day" for food too! On your free day, you can eat whatever you want....Big City Burrito here I come!

Anyway, we are a month in and feeling pretty darn good :) James has been swimming some and attempting to teach me proper strokes (poor guy). I can swim fine at least in the ability that I am not likely to drown, but I like to swim underwater and never really worked on specific strokes. I love the water and we spent lots of time in the pool growing up and in the ocean, but not so much time on technique. James is a patient teacher with his crazy wife though and we are having fun!

I enjoy our weight-lifting days a lot. Chilson has lots of great free-motion weight machines to work all sorts of muscles. I feel good about the weight I can lift with my legs, not so much with arms, but I know I'll get there.

I'll try to let you know how it goes, but so far so good! I am thankful that we are doing this together, because it is good motivation when you have someone else to go with you to the gym and when both of us are trying to eat healthier.

One other cool thing is that Chilson has a "points program" going on where you get a card signed off when you go to the gym and you accumulate points that you can turn in for prizes. Most of the prizes are gift certificates to local restaurants! In a month we have received over $5o in gift certificates (that pays for the month's membership). The program only goes through this month, but it's a good extra incentive to get to the gym and hopefully they will start it up again in a few months.