Long time, No see.

I am pretty sure no one reads this anymore, but here goes nothing.
I turned 35 in April.  EEK! That number just screams at me... it screams, it's time to start taking care of yourself!!!
Keep in mind, I have been pretty active in my 30's.  I always say if I had been as active in my 20's as I am in my 30's, my child birth years would have been much easier.  But... I digress. 
In 2009, I ran my first half marathon.
In 2010, I ran my first Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas.
In 2011 I did my first Triathlon.

I have kept this up for the most part.  Since my first Half Marathon, I have done 4 more, with one more scheduled for tomorrow.
I have ran an additional Ragnar Relay, (The Wasatch Back) and it was a beast.
I have done 6 total triathlons since 2011. 

Other than that??? I have been pretty stinkin' sedentary.  Sure it looks good when I write down the races I have completed, but in all actuality, it was only taking care of myself in spurts.

I decided to do something about it. 4 weeks ago, I decided it was time.  Time to wake up.
Time to get out of bed bright and early.  Time to stop making excuses.  It was time to stop complaining and do something about it.  I have had a gym membership for about a year and a half, and there have been months that I haven't stepped foot in the gym.  What a waste of a perfect tool. 

I started on August 11.  I got my keister out of my warm bed at the dark hour of 5:00AM.  Oh that was tough.  I went to the gym.  I did it. I worked my legs, ran a bit, and came home.  Wow that day was a long one. Boy was I tired. I was in bed, snoozing by 10PM.  I couldn't keep my eyes open.  The next morning, I did it again.  I got up and worked my arms, rode the bike, and came home once again, I was tuckered out.  By the end of the week I had gone to the gym 4 times.  I was feeling good about myself.

The next week, I got a friend to come with me.  Oh how lovely it is to have a friend.  She too isn't a morning lover.  This week, things got easier.  I was waking up before my alarm. What? How is that possible?  I know, but truly, it happened.  I started waking up early early, unassisted.  Was it easy to go to the gym? No, but I was waking up.  That is a good sign.

Fast forward to this week.  It has now been 4 weeks of going to the gym quite regularly.  Usually 4 times a week, but sometimes only 3.  Have I lost weight?  Nope.  I think maybe 1 pound.  BUT, here is what I do notice.  1. I get up, and feel good at 4:55AM.  2.  I get stuff done the days I go to the gym.  House is cleaner, (not clean, but cleaner). 3.  My stomach is a little more firm.  Not six pack firm, but less pudgy for certain!  4.  I have less pudge under my arms.  5. I sleep like a baby! I am out for the night by 10:30, and I SLEEP!  It is amazing!  6. This is the biggest thing... I am happy!  I like going to exercise. It's almost sick! I love it.  I feel like something is missing the days I don't go. 

I am so curious to see how I will look if I keep this up for a year!