Working It Out...

Obviously I haven't been posting much recently - but I swear I am working on finding time for it! A big reason why I haven't been posting much is that I haven't been cooking as much. It is a rather sad state of affairs - but would you really want to read about my protein smoothies and cottage cheese snacks? (Although if any of you have any favorite protein powders that you'd like to comment on - please do!! I am looking for lots of advice in that category.) I keep telling myself that I am going to cook on the weekends and eat it all week, but by the time the weekend comes around, I am too tired to do much cooking. So as much as I love my new workout routine, it is making my life seriously more exhausting. But I am excited about the changes I am noticing in my body, and there is a part of that would like to share. Please feel free to move right along to a real cooking blog if reading about my personal training experience doesn't tickle your fancy! I won't be offended! I swear!!

So here are the basics to my experience - I work out three times a week with a personal trainer. I have two different trainers, Kali and Molly, due to some scheduling constraints on my end. I work with Kali during the week, and I work with Molly on the weekends. In order to avoid confusion, we have set up a schedule where Kali is "responsible" for my chest/back and legs, and Molly tortures my arms/shoulders. I think they both work ab exercises in to keep me on my toes. For the first couple weeks, I was so sore I could barely move after working out. It didn't matter which muscle group we were working - I wanted to quit. Signing the year-long contract pretty much prevented me from running away in search of an ice cream cone (thank goodness!). :) Now that it has been a bit longer... I think I have been doing it for a month now!... I am feeling much more comfortable with my workouts. Trust me, I still get sore and run down from it all. But now it is more of a pleasantly exhausted feeling - like I know I really worked my butt off!

I haven't noticed much of a difference in my body yet - at least not on the outside. I am feeling pretty good about myself on the inside however. It is a little discouraging to be sore and tired from exercising and not immediately notice a difference in my body, but I know it is coming. I just have to stick with my program. If anyone who is reading this has ever contemplated working with a personal trainer, I really am happy I decided to do it. I think even one day a week or however often you can afford to squeeze it in helps. I find I push myself so much harder when there is someone encouraging me and telling me not to give up. There have been countless examples where I would have quit on rep number 5 because I had no confidence that I could actually get to rep number 6. Kali and Molly give me that confidence and push me over the edge so even if I don't get to number 7, I still did more than I would have alone. I always wondered what it would be like to have a personal trainer and often lamented if I had more money it would be one of the first things I would "splurge" on. I am really happy that between J and I we were able to work out a way for me to do it. It is the best gift J has given me.

Anyway, I know a lot of this is very personal to me and if you have zero interest in reading about it, let me know. Otherwise I might try to keep you guys updated on my progress with working out since I don't seem to cook anymore! :) ***But I swear I am trying to make time for cooking and will be back regularly with food!!!!***