Whew.. I made it!

Some of you may remember that I started a workout routine back in November of last year. I got a couple of weeks into it, but abandoned it when the repairs to the house became necessary. Something about a 190 pound woman jumping around wildly in front of work crews just did not seem smart. Comedic maybe, but definitely not smart.

Last week, I restarted the workout routine. This time, I started on the easiest one possible. I huffed and puffed my way through the first couple of days and somehow, I missed when it became easy. By Friday, I was keeping up with the little bouncing man in the computer, while giving him a run for his money. It was time to step it up a notch.

It's important, (to me anyway) to remember that when I first started this in November, I had the hardest time with one of the workouts. I couldn't even reach the halfway point for round 1. It's a fairly simple workout too but I just couldn't do it. I tried for weeks to get through to the halfway point.

Today, after mastering the low impact version last week, I started on this one. I made it all the way through! Whew. I made it! Of course, it was far from simple and I think that by the end, I was limping more than anything. My jumps were barely lifting the ground and that's if they managed to lift at all. By the end, I wasn't even bouncing much. I was wheezing heavily, out of breath, and the room was spinning. Everything would go dark, then bright, then dark again. My chest was hurting, my uterus felt as though it was falling out, and my legs wanted to give out. I fought against the heaviness of my eyelids for several minutes as I forced myself to continue walking. Finally, Once I could breathe again, I grabbed a banana and some water, and within moments, I was okay again.

I made it. No, I not only made it, I lived through it and tomorrow, it's going to be even easier. (Mostly because I won't have those nasty menstrual cramps in the way!) by Thursday, I'll be keeping time and by Friday, the little bouncing man in the computer (also known as Coach Kozak from Hasfit.com) will have difficulties keeping up with me!

When I sit back and consider it, this is also a fantastic metaphor for almost everything in life from raising kids, difficulties in a marriage, starting a new business and to just life itself during it's roughest moments. You keep on and you keep moving because, yes, it's hard. And it's doing it's absolute best to drag you under, knock you down and get you off of your current path. But, the first time you make it, you get a little stronger. The second time, a bit better. And you keep going until it is the easiest thing in the world.

That's called challenge. And every life needs that challenge. Every form of life needs that challenge. Otherwise, we never grow. We never become anything more. We just merely exist. I don't know about you, but merely exist is not good enough for me!

Whew. I made it. And I may be have limper than a rag doll this time, and may be tomorrow also. The first few times through the wringer is always difficult. But just you wait and see. No matter what the challenge, I will presevere, and become better.

And hopefully, soon, will drop below 190 pounds while I'm at it!

Blessings to all, in all of your endeavors. May you strive to not just exist, but to really live.