I did it!

Oh my goodness am I SORE! I’ve been talking about giving yoga a try for literally months now.  It’s pretty ridiculous when I think about it, but I’m all about making things happen this year so my time is up.  Since it’s been many years since I’ve taken any sort of fitness class I’ve been a little intimidated so I’ve been trying to find somebody to join me.  I finally found myself a yoga buddy in my friend, Vanessa, and I finally gave it the old college try last Sunday.  I’m so thankful she was willing to join me.  It was such a little thing really, but I needed that supportive push to get me going.  Thanks girl!

I was probably only physically able to do about half of the poses….maybe.  Even the most basic, simple moves were barely achievable and I spent a whole lot of time in child’s pose when I couldn’t keep up.  Lately I’ve been noticing just how much strength I’ve lost over the years I was plagued with pain.  On more than one occasion I couldn’t open a damn jar while making dinner and almost ended up in tears for feeling like such a weakling.  I NEVER used to have to have a man around to open a jar of spaghetti sauce and now that I do it seriously bums me out.  It’s just crazy that all of my upper body strength is gone gone gone!  This fact has never been more apparent as it was on day one of yoga.  Holy moly, Internet, my whole entire body was shaking.  I was sore even before I went to bed that same night.  The next day was even worse.  Yoga worked out some muscles I forgot I possessed!  Legs, butt, back, arms, shoulders, chest, abs, obliques…you name it, it hurts.  Today is day two since I took the class and I’m still ridiculously sore.

So my whole body hurts but at some level it really excites me.  Not in a weird way or anything, just the fact that I was able to do anything hard enough to make my body sore and still not be in horrific pain afterward.  The fact that I’m sore means I’m working it and that is such a great feeling after all I’ve been through.  This kind of pain, I can handle…in fact, I welcome it!  Who cares if I’m so sore it hurts to walk.  I did it!  And that is what really matters to me.  So what if I was dripping with sweat while everyone else looked peaceful and calm…just getting a little cardio while I’m at it…there’s nothing wrong with that!  So what if I looked like an idiot because I had no clue what I was doing.  SO.  WHAT.

I’m enjoying the idea of this new challenge.  It’s SO incredibly difficult for me, but I’m looking forward to overcoming it.  I can’t wait to be able to do all the poses.  I can’t wait to heal and go back and get sore all over again this weekend because I know it will all be so worthwhile in the long run.  I’m so excited that it’s possible for my back to be sore without excruciating pain.  I’m just plain excited!  I’ll look like this in no time!

Well, it may take some time, but still.  I’m dreaming BIG!  Baby steps have to add up at some point, right?  My mini yoga goal for now is to work up to being able to do it twice a week and learn all the moves.  That ought to keep me busy for a bit.  I’m also heading to the gym tomorrow for some cardio in hopes that I can loosen up some of these super sore muscles.

Speaking of the gym…I really need some motivating, upbeat/dancy new music for the gym.  What do you listen to when you work out?  What keeps you moving?  I can’t wait to hear your suggestions!