The Gym

This week I started to “really” go to the gym. To the best of my abilities.

Monday I had work from 9am-noon. Went to a Pilates class from 12:10-1:10. Rented a locker, and sat it the sauna from about 1:30-1:45. The towels they give out at the gym are too small to wrap around you; but apparently the thing to do is to sit in the sauna fully dressed. I, personally, find it disgusting. So I bought a terry-cloth shower wrap on Amazon. Everyone else can sit in their yoga pants and racerback tank tops. I will be naked. After the sauna I showered, got some lunch, and went to my other job from 3-6pm.

Today I had work from 7:15am-10:15am. Class from 10:45am-12:50pm. Work again from 1:30pm-4:30pm. Then I attended a ballet class from 5:15-6:15. After ballet I intended to walk on the elliptical for about an hour, but in the rush of the day I forgot my running shoes at home. So I went straight for the sauna. 20 minutes in, 5 minutes out, 10 minutes in again. I read that it’s best to do at least 2 sessions.

I’m almost done with my day’s batch of cranberry water. I had a Trader Joe’s pre-made Italian Salad for dinner. Strawberries and a few slices of mango for desert.

I also feel particularly bloated today. The protective anonymity of the internet makes me feel comfortable enough to say that I’m actually a little constipated. And comfortable enough to say that this is a regular problem in my life. I eat 1 dose of medicated chocolate every other day. This is a relatively new ailment in my life. Within the last 6 months.

Aging sucks. Spoken like a true 21-year-old.

With regard to the Depo Provera, I don’t feel any different. It’s been about a week since I should have had my injection. I felt fine before, I feel fine now. I have no idea when I should start carrying tampons in my purse again. And I’m pretty worried that I won’t have them when the time comes. But all my research says that’s months (maybe even years) away. It’s like being a little girl all over again. I didn’t want to start getting my period then either.

Baby Steps

Last time I wrote, nothing had changed. That’s still true. But I’m making steps forward.

First, I made a batch of cranberry water. It’s 1 cup of 100% cranberry juice ( I get mine from Trader Joe’s) to 7 cups of regular water. Mixed it in a pitcher and drink it throughout the day. I think this link says do drink all 8 cups in a day, but I haven’t been doing that. I figure, some is better than none.

Second, I’ve been going to the gym. Not every day, but about every other. Whenever I feel like watching some TV or reading the newspaper I just go to the gym with my iPad and take a leisurely stroll on the treadmill or ride on the bicycle. The way I see it, I only need to add a little to my [lack of] exercise, so I don’t need to do any kind of intense workout. My hour on the bike burns about 300 calories, and that’s more than nothing.

Finally, tomorrow I’m going back to pilates and Tuesday I start ballet again. I’m also planning to get a locker at the gym so I can use the sauna and shower so I’ll be more likely to go to the gym before/after class. Instead of just on my days off. One of the tips I read on the Depo forums was to sweat it all out. So even if I can’t get a super intense cardio workout in, I can at least sweat out some of my toxins in the sauna and then shower and head to class/work/etc.

I also went to the grocery store today and stocked up on some healthier snacks. No more cookies or soda. I have baby carrots with hummus and edamame.

I have no way of knowing if/when the weight will start coming off. I don’t own a scale and I don’t think I have access to one. Maybe at the gym? But I’m not super concerned with the number. My goals are as follows:

• I would like for my thighs not to touch when I stand with my feet together
• I would like to be able to do 5 pull ups
• I would like to make it through the entire P90X Ab Ripper video without taking a break
• I would like to fit back into the black skinny jeans I used to wear 3 years ago

We’ll see how it goes.