"I like to eat, eat, eat, eeples and baneenees"

I’m fortunate enough to have a gym at my work. It doesn’t have everything I want, but it has enough for me to not spend my money on a gym membership. I’ve been trying for the last year to get back into shape. I started last October and was doing really well. And then somewhere over the summertime I petered out and gained back the weight I lost. (No surprise there.) And then I started back up this October with doing the Couch to 5k training. I was doing great. I was up to 2.25 miles and then I started to get sick… right before Christmas. Long story short, today was my first day back to the gym after not going for a month, and it was great!

I’m normally by myself there. Occasionally someone will come in to work out, but for the most part I have it to myself. Today, however, two guys came in when I was just finishing up on the treadmill. One stayed downstairs to work on weights, and the other guy came upstairs to do some stuff. He was going hard core and so when I transitioned from the treadmill to doing crunches, reverse sit-ups, and leg weights, he motivated me! I mean, he didn’t know he was, but he was. It pushed me to take less time off between sets, thus keeping my heart rate up. And when I was finishing up and going home, he was hopping on the treadmill. Now I’d like to think that he’ll be coming in more, but in the last year it has been my experience that no one comes in on a regular basis while I’m there.

After the gym I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things. Can I just say that I LOVE how it feels when I’m shopping for healthy items?! I went to the cashier who had the shortest line and as I was putting my food on the conveyor belt I did what we all do… I checked out what the person in front of me was getting. As luck would have it, he was buying healthy items as well. So on go my brussel sprouts, spinach, baby red potatoes, carrots, green onion, bananas, frozen veggies, and 4 weight watcher meals (you know, for when I’m not feeling like cooking or run out of time to make my tuna for lunch). I saw the guy in front of me perusing my items as well, and it made me feel proud of myself. I didn’t feel guilty for stocking up on junk food. In fact, he had already eaten at least a ¼ of a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips! I almost left the line to go buy box of the same tea he was buying (I didn’t realize they carried Rooibus)but I figured I’ll just get it next time.

So.. Just to recap. First day back at the gym and I felt motivated and great by the time I was done. Went grocery shopping and I felt motivated and great by the time I was done. I suddenly don’t feel as guilty for eating a small cheeseburger at Five Guys today for lunch. Hey, I said I’m not perfect!

Tomorrow starts another new day and I’m hoping to do even better. I’ll be bringing my lunch to work (as I normally do) and then I’ll be returning to the gym. I. CAN. DO. THIS.