Zumba Addiction

I have a new addiction. One that I don't think I'll be able to shake. Well, technically that's not true - this addiction involves a ton of shaking!

ZUMBA!

Last week, I was feeling pretty down. I'm not sure what was going on, but I was having a difficult time motivating myself to get much done. I was definitely not feeling like myself, especially because I couldn't even motivate myself to get in my daily exercise. I had heard so many amazing things about Zumba - but to be honest, there is no way I will put myself in a group class. You are looking at the girl who has zero rhythm and would literally look like a monkey jumping around the room. No thank you!

I discovered that Zumba Fitness had released a game for the Wii that has gotten phenomenal reviews. I decided to rush out to the store and purchase it. I can honestly say that it has been my best purchase so far in 2011! I can't even begin to describe how much fun this is and such a fantastic workout. You don't even feel like you're exercising. I did the 45 minute Intermediate workout yesterday and literally felt like only ten minutes passed. It is wonderful.

The best part? Jackson does Zumba with me every single day. There is nothing more adorable than watching my five year old little man dancing along with me. Especially the belly dancing. Seriously, I need to pull out my video camera so I can always remember!

My battle of the bulge

After my pregnancy with Jackson, I was a physical wreck. I gained fifty-three pounds while pregnant with him. I guess you could say I took the term "eating for two" a tad too literal. Granted, the second he had evacuated my stomach, I dropped thirty pounds over night (I love how that happens, don't you?!). However, I was stuck at a very scary weight for me. I joined Weight Watchers and had great success with dropping twenty pounds. Even with that twenty pound loss, I still had around forty pounds to lose until I hit my goal weight. To this day, I still can't believe I allowed my body to become so unhealthy. Not only was I severely overweight, but I was completely inactive and had zero energy. Unfortunately, it's a vicious cycle - you're so tired from all the extra weight that you have no energy to exercise, therefore you can't lose the weight. And it continues and continues.

My pregnancy with Charlie was very different. I was much more focused on how much weight I was gaining. In fact, I actually lost eight pounds within the first few months from being so sick. In the end, I only gained thirteen pounds while pregnant with him. Over the last ten months, I have somehow managed to almost reach my goal weight. It's not only what I see in the mirror, but it's how I feel that reminds me daily how much healthier I have become. Exercise has become my best friend, no longer an enemy. I look at food and treat it like fuel rather than pleasure. That's not to say that I don't indulge here and there. Everyone who knows me is aware of my ice cream addiction!

Last week, I came to the realization that I am officially fifty-seven pounds less than I was two years ago. I'm not usually one to pat myself on the back, but this is something I am incredibly proud of. I've worked hard for it and no food in the world can taste as good as this feels.

Food belongs on a plate, not a pedestal.

I want to ride my biiiicycle!

I have a new love. Don't worry, Eric knows all about it. Bicycling. Dear Lord, why have I not been doing this my entire life? Over the last week, I have been putting more miles on these legs than ever before. We literally live three minutes away from the Centennial Trail, a thirty-seven mile paved trail that runs along the river. It is absolutely breathtaking and so phenomenal to see on a bike. I can't believe how fortunate I am to be able to jump on my bike and ride directly onto the trail within minutes. How have we lived in this house for over five years and I have never done this before now? Seriously, I keep asking myself that question out loud while riding - people must think I'm crazy when they hear me talking to myself as I pass them.

I rode seven miles this evening and it was the most fulfilling exercise I have gotten in months. Not only because my heart was pumping and my legs were burning, but because I was in the midst of nature and sunshine. What could be better than that while burning a ton of calories? The feel of the breeze on my face, the sound of the river rushing by, and the smell of pine trees in the air. It's especially beautiful right now with autumn on the horizon - all the colors are sensational.

I do think it's hysterical that I've discovered my love of cycling right at the end of summer. All I can think about is how I could have been doing this for the last five or so months. But I plan on packing in a lot of riding in the next month or two before the snow flies.

Maybe this time next year, I'll have those awesome biker legs. One can hope, right?