Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

I haven't always loved to workout.  When I got married at 17, I was slim, but flabby.  I had no tone, no muscles, I just happened to be thin (think, 125lbs.).  Cue my first baby.  I didn't eat very well, and gained 50 lbs. (I had gained another 5lbs. after the wedding so final weight at the end of the pregnancy was 180.)  With my 2nd-5th pregnancies, I started at 178, and after giving birth, went back to 178.  Pregnancy #6 I started at 185 and ended at 192...only gaining 7lbs!! After my daughter was born, I actively worked out, and got down to 162 at my lowest! My 7th pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 10 weeks, so I don't really have numbers for that one.  I'm starting this pregnancy at 172. 

What does that have to do with getting out of your comfort zone?  I'll tell you...

I started working out because my friend, "D" encouraged me to try a live Zumba class at our local Y.  I felt so stupid and awkward,  and it was SUPER HARD!!  But I loved it!  I kept going back.  I got pregnant with #5, and stopped.  Went back after he was born, and she encouraged me to try something called, PiYo (a fusion of Piliates and Yoga. I went to my first class, and thought D was insane for doing it.  It was so hard, and I was miserable.  But, I went again, and again, and at the end of faithfully doing PiYo for a month, I had lost 7in. all over my body!!  I was sold.  I really love PiYo, and even bought the DVDs to do at home!  Then, D told be about the new class she had tried, called R.I.P.P.E.D.  (Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, & Diet.)  I did my first class, and thought there was no way I would be able to do this long term.  But, here I am...almost 2 years later, going to classes at least once a week!! 

My point?

Stepping out of your comfort zone gets you results.  I went from never exercising, to going to the Y at least once a week, and doing home workouts. I do a range of different styles, and have even started weight training!!  And I love it all!!