Zumba!

Part of my plan to get ready for IVF and be the best I can be is to work on my fitness. This has been a sore subject with me for a very long time. I was active as a child growing up in Georgia. I loved to jump on the trampoline, ride my bike, play out in the woods, and take long walks. But when it comes to anything sports-related, I'm just not at my best. As I got older, my fitness level flatlined. I tried going to the gym a few times in college. I played some racquetball, but for the most part, I just hated working out. I felt so self-conscious, like everyone was looking at me and thinking I didn't belong there.

I joined Jazzercise a few years ago and spent about six months working out there. I loved it. I really enjoyed the dancing, but I didn't see much weight loss, and it was pretty much always the same work out. Plus, the group I was going to felt like they already had a little clique of friends and again, I just didn't feel 100% comfortable. With a few months to go before IVF, I know it's my time now to work on my fitness. To manage PCOS, I have to exercise. I just HAVE TO.

So George and I joined the gym closest to our house. Lifestyle Family Fitness. I signed up for 3 sessions a week with a personal trainer. Yes, it's expensive, but right now, it's one of the most important things in my life. Included in my gym membership are daily classes of all types, including yoga, body pump, step classes, and my personal new favorite - ZUMBA!

I've heard people talking about it for a long time, and I even bought the DVD workout set, but I didn't fall in love with Zumba until I started going to the classes at my gym. OMG, it's so much fun!! Yes, I'm the overweight girl trying desperately to get my hips to move right, but I don't care. Everyone there is so accepting and fun. Right now, I'm going twice a week, Wed. and Fri. mornings. It's an hour long class, and on average, I'm burning at least 500 calories that hour! Combined with the 30 minute personal training right before, I'm burning probably close to 800 calories three times a week. (I go to beginner yoga on Mondays after training.) I would like to step it up and go to a few more of the weekly Zumba classes. There's one on Saturdays I might start trying and one on Tuesday afternoons. It's fun and it's fitness. Who knew?

Exercise is key for me right now. It's helping me manage my stress. It's helping me manage my PCOS. And it's giving me energy to get through my week with a smile on my face. I don't know how my exercise routine will be affected once the injections begin. From what I've heard, most people have to stop doing anything that really raises your heartrate while on the meds, so we'll see. Obviously, after the embryo transfer, I'll be on bedrest and wanting to take it easy for a week or so. But for now, full steam ahead. Zumba, personal training and walking in the evenings. I'm feeling really good about these changes, and I really feel like I'm going to stick with it this time.

Now, if I could just get my nutrition under control...