Who could ignore such a compelling argument for looking good? I had been trying to figure out what to use my "Personal Development Bonus" for from work (a nice little wad of $$ we get each year to ensure work-life balance) so after this conversation it appeared I had found somewhere to spend my kesh.
We began the first class of a 5 week block tonight and suffice to say we are now both afraid to go to sleep for fear of the intense pain we are destined to feel upon waking. I worry that after the way I walked around the office 2 weeks ago following my first game of netball in 16 years, my new work mates are going to question my extra curricular activities a little more thoroughly.
What's more concerning is the fact that it says on the website that "the classes will increase in intensity over the 5 week period." Let me tell you, if it was any more intense than it was tonight my legs would have quite happily removed themselves from my body and trotted out of the class on their own.
So this need to "suck it all in" is what I would like to focus on for a minute. Just when exactly did this become a concern? As it happens this same friend who has recommended the Pilates is also the same friend who preached to me at the ripe old age of 23 that "once you hit 25 darling, it all goes downhill from there."
As a nicely toned and fit soon to be retired dancer at the age of 23 I simply laughed it off and thought "ah I'll be fine."
Now about to enter my 29th year I feel somewhat differently. Given that I'm now 11 years out of high school I think I'm not doing too badly in the grand scheme of things, however I used to be able to shift a kilo or two simply my adjusting my diet. I used to be able to make a change and stick to it (at least for a little while), whereas now, I struggle to say no to things. I keep thinking "I'll start tomorrow" or "just this one thing won't make the difference," but the problem is this is becoming a regular occurrence.
I think I was lucky in my last job in that I did a lot of extra walking, but now I don't do much walking at all and it really appears to be making a difference.
Now I have a theory, you know how a few years can go by and someone who was once really tiny is all of a sudden eligible for the next series of The Biggest Loser? Well my theory is that they ignored "the point of no return."
"The point of no return" is when you know you've put on a few kilos but instead of doing something about it, you live in denial and continue thinking you can carry on like you have been and it will all just be fine. Well I kinda feel like I'm at this point now and so I'm choosing to do something about it. But it's a struggle. With already working long hours, studying, and trying to get out and be social, exercising is really just a pain in the ass sometimes (well most of the time and in more ways than one, who am I kidding?).
It does make you feel good though, it makes you want to eat better, helps you sleep better and generally makes you feel good about yourself.
The latter part of that last sentence is what is most important to me. It makes me feel good and oddly independent which is unexpected but a pleasant side effect.
I'm not at all saying I'm overweight but I have noticed that to stay looking good it's going to be a bit more of an effort from here on in. So to all you under 25'vers out there enjoy your fast metabolisms while they last, had I known it wouldn't last I probably would have enjoyed mine a little more.
So now I'm off to bed, with that ominous feeling of guaranteed agony in the morning. Here's hoping the pain will stop me walking to the bikkie jar at work...
xo
