And so, I joined the Our BlubHer Overhaul blog. (See my introduction here.)

In short, I have a new goal. If I can lose my ten pounds by the BlogHer conference next year, I will attend. I know. I’ve previously said that I won’t attend because of scheduling conflicts during that week. But I can make something work. Granted, for me to attend, I’m going to have to lose this weight no later than February 2009 so I can save money appropriately for travel and hotel and gifts to take home to boys. And that Husband. And, to be honest, if I can lose the extra five vanity pounds, well, I don’t know what I’ll do! Other than be super excited.

But, I need some help. I’m stuck. I’m honestly of the opinion that the stuck-ness comes with nursing and we’re not ready to wean. (He’s not even a year yet! Hush!) I won’t do anything unhealthy that could adversely affect my son, our nursing relationship or even my own health. And so, I just keep trucking along. I’ll get there. Right? Someday?

This week is far less busy than last week. Yet I’m keeping the same goal of three workouts at the gym and three home/outdoor workouts alone or with the boys. I think I need to suck it up and lengthen my amount of time on the elliptical, don’t you think? My legs, arms and general body cry at the thought but, well, it is time.

In the meantime, head over to Our BlubHer Overhaul and read about others’ weight loss goals and how they’re reaching them together. And leave me a comment, here or there, with some kind of inspiration. Because, man, if I don’t see some weight loss soon… sigh.

So much so that I made it to the gym zero days. I didn’t even go to my fitness class. I meant to go, knowing that the physical exertion would help me get through some of this emotional trauma but, well, I also neglected to mention on the blog last week that our sewer backed up into our basement. (I refrained from sharing pictures.) And on Thursday morning, when my Step & Sculpt class is scheduled, the plumber was here, wasting our money. Gee, the scheduling conflicts I wrote about on Monday morning weren’t even the scheduling conflicts that ended up keeping me down and out all week. It’s life, isn’t it?

I feel awful having done nothing but take one (just one!) walk with the boys last week. I feel like a big, fat, sloppy mess. And I don’t like it! Especially when you add in the fact that I turned to comfort foods almost immediately in the wake of my loss. Did I also mention that my monthly cycle hit, too? What a horrible, horrible week for fitness, healthy eating and general goal-reaching.

I know I’m being hard on myself. But someone has to or I’m not going to get myself back into a schedule that works for me, my butt and my family. I need to set my daily goals. I need to stick to them. And I need to keep working towards a healthy me. Right now? I’m not feeling healthy. I ate too much all week. (Have you been to a Polish after-funeral dinner?) I didn’t move. I didn’t push myself. And I don’t even want to try on my jeans. Not this week. Not again.

Goals:

Monday: Elliptical and arms.
Tuesday: Elliptical and yoga at home. Walk with boys.
Wednesday: Pilates at home and ab workout. (Can’t go to gym this day.)
Thursday: Step class.
Friday: Elliptical. Walk with boys.
Saturday: Elliptical. Walk with boys.
Sunday: Ab workout at home. (Likely no gym.)

I really do so much better when I set out a specific day-by-day list of what I plan to do. I still haven’t found shoes. I didn’t have much time to consider it last week. You know, with death and raw sewage and Polish food. Such is life. I’ll find a pair soon. My foot hopes so.

But the real news here is that: I WENT TO MY FIRST FITNESS CLASS. And three days later, I can almost move! Alert the presses! So, here’s the rundown.

I got to the gym with enough time to drop the boys in childcare, sign in, switch my shoes and have a short conversation with a firefighter my Husband works with at the Fire Department. Then I walked down the hall and into the fitness room. The happy surprise was that there was only one other person (a woman with two kids the same ages as TheBrothers) as some couldn’t make it the first week. The unhappy surprise was that the male teacher wasn’t there and a female was teaching. That made me nervous.

But we got to moving. We did some stretching. And breathing. And then we started stepping. And, let me tell you, we got to stepping. If you think the Advanced Step on Wii Fit is even remotely hard, don’t take a Step class at your local gym. I was able to keep up with the footwork. And I was able to push myself past some comfort levels for some repeaters. But, by the end of that first half hour, I was sweating. And fully aware that I was going to feel it in the morning.

But it didn’t end there, folks. Oh, no. Because it’s not just about cardio. It’s about building muscle, too.

So we got body bars and did some arm workouts. And chest workouts. And more arms. And some squats. And then we ended the class with abs. ABS, I TELL YOU. ABS OF DOOM! Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit. But, still, as we neared that hour mark, it sure felt like movement of doom in general.

I left the fitness room and went to change my shoes. My firefighter friend told me that my face was red. Then I pointed out that his was as well. I changed shoes. Picked up the boys. And went home. I felt pretty good. I was proud of myself.

And then I woke up the next morning.

That was my first mistake. Waking up on Day Two Post Step Class was my second mistake.

I’m happy to say that I can walk today without thinking my calves were going to revolt and just separate themselves from my legs all together. I’m still aware that I worked muscles that I forgot I had but, can I tell you something? I AM SO PROUD! I was able to keep up. I was able to finish. I was able to keep going. I was able. Period. And that feels great. I’m going to get in shape. I’m going to fit back in my thin jeans. And I’m going to be HEALTHY while doing it. And that’s totally awesome folks.

However, I am still in desperate need of shoes. (Want me to review a pair? Send me some! I have high arches.) I went to try on a few last week and, let me tell you, I have weird feet people. So far I haven’t found anything that initially strikes my fancy. I’m going to maybe have to purchase a pair and just hope/pray that they work on my weird shaped foot. More suggestions, please. Specific models, not just name brand! I’m planning on a blog about my shoe buying experience this next trip out!

But the bad news is: still no weight loss. Things do fit differently. My arms look shapelier and my legs look, well, nice. But no movement on the scale. I know. Muscle weighs more than fat. And yadda yadda yadda. But it’s kind of heartbreaking. And discouraging. But I keep on keeping on.

This week’s goals are a little more loose as we have some scheduling conflicts going on. My goal is to hit the gym 3 days (fitness class included) and stay active at home for the other four. Whether that’s with yoga, the stability ball or an evening walk (sans-ice cream) with the boys, I don’t yet know. But activity (and not just up and down the stairs to do laundry) is the goal on those four days. Stop by Go Workout Mom and tell her your goals for the week.

Lesson: Always check your bag before you leave for the gym. Oh, yes. On Saturday, after a rough start to the morning that involved BigBrother accidentally biting my finger, I got us out the door and to the YMCA. I got us in the door and dropped the boys off in child care with no incident. I sat down on the bench. I took off my flip flops. I put on my socks. I pulled out one shoe. And immediately remembered the second shoe sitting ont he couch at home. I then had to take off my socks, put my flip flops back, return to the child care room and try to convince BigBrother that it was actually time to leave despite only having been there for less than two minutes. And so, I have learned to check my bag for my shoes. Lesson learned indeed.

Lessons aside, I’m imploring all of my fitness minded readers to, oh, please help me. Please. I am in desperate need of new shoes. I have a high arch and very short feet. My New Balance shoes seem to be fine for walking but I’m ending up with very sore, very tired feet after working out at the gym. If possible, I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. I’m now paying preschool tuition! Suggestions are welcome. Online sales are preferred.

Also, this is a serious question. I did arms two days last week and abs twice. And guys. I’m dying after such workouts. Am I ever going to get to a point where it doesn’t feel as if someone has attacked my muscles with long, searing hot knives? Or is it supposed to feel that way? I honestly couldn’t lift a jar of baby food last week one morning after waking. Is there anything I can do? (I do stretch before and after.) I’m sure this is just because my muscles are pretty ticked off that I’m using them after years of, well, not using them. But, oh, I could do with out the pain.

In an update to last week’s post: I did sign up for the Step & Sculpt fitness class. I’m hoping this gives me the confidence I am seeking because, oh, next session? The R.I.F.T. is offering a Ballet Barre Body class. That’s right! I was so excited to read that in our newsletter that I nearly squealed with joy. I took dance for, well, still over half of my life. I miss dance. Very much. (Also? The Munchkin starts real ballet next week. YAY!) I’m hoping this class really gives me the push I need (and a bit of toning, please?) to be able to do such a thing next session. What’s your favorite fitness class?

We have a very busy week and so my fitness goals are a smidgen less than this past week but still keeping me moving everyday. Let’s take a look.

Monday: Elliptical and arm workout. (Dread! Woe! Arm workout! No!)
Tuesday: Elliptical and walk with boys in evening.
Wednesday: Elliptical and ab workout. (Dread! Woe! Ab workout! No!)
Thursday: Elliptical and arm workout.
Friday: Elliptical and walk with boys in evening. Refuse ice cream for self.
Saturday: Elliptical. Yoga after kids go to bed.
Sunday: Take a nap! Relax! Something!

Don’t forget to head over to Go Workout Mom and list your goals for the week on Goal Call Monday. Feel free to let me know how your fit week was and what you plan for this week. And please, oh please, tell me about some shoes. My poor, poor feet!

My available options are Tai Chi (no), Step & Sculpt (male teacher), Fitness Fusion (Really Intimidating Female Teacher), Yoga (Really Intimidating Female Teacher, now referred to as R.I.F.T, and runs over child care by fifteen minutes), Cardio Blast, Pilates (R.I.F.T.), Stability Ball, Indoor Cycling (no!), Kickboxing (again with the R.I.F.T.), and Hip Hop Cardio (guess who). As all of these haven’t been options this summer, I haven’t really seen any of these classes in progress so I can’t tell you if I think I can “hang” with Cardio Blast, Kickboxing, Hip Hop Cardio or whatever Fitness Fusion happens to be. My guess is, from the teacher, a big fat (word used purposefully), “NO!” If someone other than Really Intimidating Female Teacher was teaching yoga or pilates, I’d be all over them in a heartbeat. But I’m scared. Of her. And how I’ve lost my flexibility over the years. And so on.

I’m leaning towards Step & Sculpt with the, gulp, male teacher. First of all, it is on Thursday mornings during the hours in which child care is available. While BigBrother will have school on Thursday afternoons, the class ends well before lunch time thus giving me time to get home, shower, get lunch ready and get the kid to school. I would normally avoid a male teacher (of anything) at almost any cost but the R.I.F.T. kind of makes me want to cry. I also don’t expect the class to be easy-breezy. A friend of mine took the class and said that the “morning after” the first class involved soaking in a hot tub and a lot of sore muscles. That’s when you know it is working.

I might hit another class on the fly if this one is full or if I get enough random courage to join one of R.I.F.T.’s classes. However, I think that starting in a class taught by a teacher that doesn’t make me want to cry or hide or wear a burlap sack to class will be a great way to gain some courage to take one of her amazing classes. In the future. Perhaps five years from now. Right? Wish me luck! Classes start on September 8th.

And since today is Monday, my chosen day to share about my weight loss and fitness goals, and that coincides with Go Workout Mom‘s Goal Call Monday, I’ll also add my goals here! I did fine last week with my goals up through Friday when I just physically couldn’t get to the gym (due to child care times and FireDad’s schedule). Here’s hoping this week will be as productive.

Monday: Elliptical and arm workout. (Even though there are, gasp!, other people at the gym on Monday mornings who may or may not see my arm workout in progress!)
Tuesday: Elliptical. Walk with boys in the evening.
Wednesday: Elliptical and ab workout.
Thursday: Elliptical. Walk with boys in the evening. Yoga after the boys go to bed.
Friday: Elliptical and arm workout. Walk with boys in the evening and forgo the ice cream.
Saturday: Elliptical.
Sunday: Yoga.

What are your fitness goals for the week? Go ahead and tell Go Workout Mom on her Goal Call Monday post! (This week’s GCM is not yet live as of the time I’m writing this at 7:13am but look for it soon!) Maybe you can win something like I have twice now! (I’ve also decided to name my accidental Monday theme of fitness posts with a really “attention grabbing” name. Hence the: Burnin’ Fat & Gettin’ Fit with FireMom little logo. Look for it every Monday!)