Thursday, September 10, 2009

First Day Jitters

It was the first full day of school for the daughters and they were raring to go!  It was a first day of sorts for me, too.  For the first time in 20 years, I was going to the gym!  I was a little nervous!  I had no idea what to do, how to work any of the equipment or what gym “etiquette” to follow, but I was still looking forward to going.  I armed myself with my “positive attitude” t-shirt…

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Before I left the house, I quieted my jitters with a quick breakfast of  Smoked Salmon and Parmesan Omelet Muffins (from the freezer)…

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then, it was off to the gym…YIKES!!!

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It was great!  I walked in, found an elliptical, fooled around with the settings, hooked up my mp3 player and got my sweat on.  I planned on 35 minutes on the elliptical, but my friend Coleen showed up and hopped on the elliptical next to me, so I kept on going and gabbing for another 15 minutes.  After, she showed me around and took me though some of the weight machines.  I got in a few good arm curl sets and a couple leg curls.  I t was a good workout and I enjoyed watching the other gym go-ers’ workout styles – one guy was running on the treadmill while hugging the electronic panel instead of holding the side rails!  So crazy!

I left the gym and ran more errands –aaah, does it ever end???  By this time, I was starting to get hungry, it was already lunchtime!  I went for a turkey and cheese sandwich on a Pepperidge Farms Deli Flat, 1 cup Trader Joe’s Organic Lentil Soup and a perfectly ripe pear…

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I was in the mood for some crunch, too, so I took the opportunity to try out these POPchips that were sent to me by the POPchips peeps via my friend at The Skinny Plate.  Thanks, Stephanie!

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This flavor was okay, a little too peppery for my taste buds, but I liked the airy crunch of these chips…

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When the daughters came home from school, I felt the old munchie feeling coming back.  Something about that part of our day has me wanting to snack.  I wasn’t actually HUNGRY though, so I tried to put the urge off with a cup of Teeccino

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And it worked for a while, but I did get hungry about a half hour before dinner and felt like I just couldn’t wait, so I dug into some Kashi TLC Country Cheddar crackers…(x2)…

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and a string cheese, Wheat Thins and a few nuts.  I knew that this was a “compulsive eating” moment, but the difference this time is that I didn’t feel badly about it.  And because I didn’t immediately start berating myself when I started oversnacking, I was able to reign it in before things got really out of hand.  I continued making dinner, which was really just opening a bag!  Big daughter and I split  Trader Joe’s Chicken Chow Mein with added broccoli while the husband and little daughter had other leftovers from the freezer…

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It was tasty and enough for me considering all the snacks I had, but for a hungry diner, it needs some bulking up.

I’m heading to the gym again.  I plan to go 5 days a week and workout at home on the weekends.  Pretty soon, I might be able to call myself a GYM RAT!

ONE GOOD THING :  I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to the gym!!

Question of the Day:  Do you prefer working out in a gym, outdoors or at home?

17 comments:

Diane, Fit to the Finish said...

I workout at home, and have never been a member of a gym, although I have visited with friends on occasion. (You know, when it's free!)

For me, some of the reason is financial, some the fact I have so many little people at home, and some that I'm not sure I want to workout in front of other people!

I know I'm weird!

It sounds like you had a great time, and then made really excellent food choices all the rest of the day!

thewwchick said...

YAY for the gym workout!!!!! You're the queen of the elliptical. :)

Love the shirt! Marisa, it's like you can read my mind. Or at least know what I'm listening to while I'm sewing. I started listing to The Secret on CD last night. Made it through 1 full CD, and half way through another before I had to call it quits for the night. I was so inspired by the "thoughts become things" part of the lesson, I frantically dug through the garbage for some paper, and whipped out a sharpie. I ended up placing the saying on one of my sewing room cabinet doors so I can see it at all times. I plan on hanging it other places throughout the house as well. Those muscles you keep thinking about are going to become a reality! My cookbook will become a reality! We just have to keep thinking about it. Let's think about a million dollars while we're at it, OK? :)

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

Congrats on making it to the gym!

My favorite workouts are long, hilly hikes, but I don't get to do them very often due to time constrains and lack of baby sitting...

I do go to the gym six or seven times per week, partly because the toddler LOVES to play in the Child Care. But I also love the cardio area, which has a great view and makes time go by very quickly. Oh, plus each machine has a t.v. (which is especially great since we canceled cable t.v....). I also like all the different weight options I have.

I think it takes a while to feel comfortable at the gym. Everything is new, there is equipment you may not be sure of... But I'm sure you'll be a gym rat in no time! :)

Di said...

I have been a member of a gym as well as at home, and I prefer at home. While I may schedule workout time, life often gets in the way because of my son, my husband's ministry obligations and having one car. At home I have a better chance of actually getting in a workout without the added tangle of combining the availability of transportation and so forth.

Thinspired said...

I love the shirt :) I prefer to workout at the gym. I don't like the idea of sweating profusely in my own house. I'm kind of weird like that. And weather doesn't always permit outdoor exercise, so I'm definitely a gym bunny!

Shhhhh said...

I haven't been able to get past the jitters to walk into a gym yet. Good for you being able to just do it!

It's so weird to hear others are just starting school when my kids have been back a whole month. HA! Hope the girls have a good year.

OldGoogleAccount said...

My favourite way to exercise is a run outside in good conditions. Gyms are meh, I'll do it if I have to. And I just started working out a bit at home. So I guess for me, it's a mixed bag.

I just tried Popchips the other day. The barbeque flavour were so great! And the 100 calorie bag was exactly enough. Normally I don't go in for the 100 cal snack bags but with potato chips and me, portioning is a MUST ~ way to easy for me to lose control.

Hafa said...

I love the shirt. Very inspirational! :)
I think it makes it very hard for me to go to gym alone. If I had someone to push me and go with me, that would be ok. But right now, I'm just walking/running at a park, and thinking about to do some pilates at home. I kind of feel better when I work out alone.
I'm happy you went to gym! :) :)

cglich0630 said...

I prefer working out at the gym. When I try and workout at home I always end up doing less than I would have at the gym. I really just want to relax when I am at home and it is hard for me to make myself exercise there. I wish I could though, it sure would save some money.

Yum Yucky said...

I'm new to Trader's Joes - first time was this past weekend - and I'm gonna hunt down that good looking lentil soup. YUM-may!

janetha said...

every time i see those salmon muffins i am reminded that i want to make them. i just need to do it. i love that shirt, how true is that phrase?! sounds like it was a great workout you got in, props :) i love going to the gym, but if i had a home gym like my mom i would be OK with that too!

Anonymous said...

Hooray for going to the gym! Once you get more comfortable, you'll love going! :D

I need to get those TLC crackers - I am a Cheez-It girl, but those look so good!

Unknown said...

Congrats on going to the gym! Glad it went well.
Oh my, I loves PopChips! Not the peppery ones, though, just the plain. SO GOOD!

Nicci said...

I prefer to do my videos at home but I do like the gym mainly if I have someone to work out with. I'll go to the gym for the treadmill though.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the shout out. I like the BBQ and Sour Cream & Onion flavors the best. So wish there was a Planet Fitness near me. I heard that their membership fee is very cheap compare to bigger gyms like LA fitness and 24 hour fitness. All I really need is an elliptical machine really.

BTW, I love the shirt you are sporting.

Miz said...

How much do I love the name PLANET FITNESS!!

Im a 50/50.

cardio at home/weights HAVE to be at the gym as the energy there really motivates me.

lynn said...

during the summer, i have to work out in a gym - me and heat/humidity don't mix!!!

to answer your question on my blog, the nustevia is surprisingly really good - i highly recommend their products. i was never able to use stevia before b/c of the aftertaste and have been really pleased.