A review of my goals: part 2

At the beginning of the year it was very important to me to work out more. All my life I had been thin but never fit or athletic. So I took ballet and modern dance classes during the spring semester. But the class was not organized well. The teacher's heart was in the right place but she did things that just weren't good for the body. For example, each class we had to hold the splits for at least one minute, and by the end of the semester we had to hold them for three minutes. If anyone came out, the time would be restarted. I wasn't able to do the splits. Perhaps I could if I pushed myself, but then I would be forced to hold it which could cause injury. Even though I had class for six hours per week, I felt less physically fit at the end of the semester, and had actually gained about six pounds. 

But one fateful day I picked up running. On a whim one afternoon I bought some shoes and went out. And I've stuck with it! I ran my first mile within the first few weeks. Then I ran a 5k in the beginning of August.  A 10k in October. And just two days ago I ran my furthest distance ever of 7.25 miles. I prefer to do most of my running outside, but I know that sometimes the conditions just aren't right. I'd like to stay outside all winter, but some temperatures are too much to handle. So Xavier and I bought a treadmill. I've only used it a handful of times, but it's nice having it around just in case I can't take the conditions outside.

I'm also experimenting with other forms of exercise. I like to use the stationary bikes at the gym. I can't wait to get an actual bike! I'm planning on getting one in the spring so I can bike to work and to the grocery store. I've gone to a few yoga classes, plus I like to do yoga videos at home. I do body weight exercises and have dappled in weight lifting. Next semester I'm registered for a personal fitness class that offers and introduction to weight lifting. I'll be honest...the weight room scares me a little bit! 

Those six pounds I gained last spring are long gone. And I've gone from barely running a quarter mile to running seven-and-a-quarter miles. I used to work out once in a blue moon. Now the longest I've gone all year without working out was three weeks, and that was owing to an injury. My body is more muscular and I feel the need to push myself more physically. This is one goal I can proudly say I've accomplished.

Overall grade: A