It was a productive week. I didn’t quite meet all of my goals that I set last week. But I have good reason. In fact, the only day that I really dropped the ball was on Saturday. And that brings us to the lesson learned.

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!

Today’s the day! For what? Today’s the day where I bite the big one, step over my anxiety and register for a fall session fitness class at the YMCA. I’ve been mulling over the available classes for a week or so now, trying to decide what best fits with my schedule. I have to keep my picks to the hours in which child care is provided as FireDad works every third day. That means that if I sign up for a class at noon on Wednesdays, every third Wednesday I wouldn’t be able to attend as no one would be able to watch the kids.

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!)