Today marks the second day of my workout routine at Competitive Fitness in Chandler. I thought I’d periodically post my thoughts and progress in case others are interested and to have something to measure myself.

Saturday was my initial assessment. It was the hardest 7 minutes of my life. I was timed on a set routine that included:

• 500 m row
• 40 squats
• 30 sit-ups
• 20 push-ups
• 10 pull-ups

By the time I was finished it felt like a half hour had passed. Everyone there while I was cheered me on the entire time too and helped push my limits. It was fantastic. However, I was extremely light headed and had a slight headache that stayed with me most of the day. My legs were a little sore but nothing like how sore they felt four hours later as I got ready to head out for my last birthday bash. I had trouble the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday walking up the stairs of my house and even sitting down. It was brutal. Several times I thought I was going to fall down and not be able to get back up.

Sunday is my typical day of rest so I did some walking and that was about it. My legs were still pretty sore. By Monday morning I was able to go up and down stairs a little faster but I could definitely still feel the ache in my quads. Directly after work I changed and headed over to the gym with a bottle of water. It was pretty packed. The workout on the board for the day was 30 pull-ups, 30 weight lifts, and 30 box jumps. This was repeated three times and timed. I started off by warming up on the treadmill, rowing a bit, and doing some arm exercises. Then it was game time. The first 30 pull-ups were a breeze. The weights were a little more difficult but not that bad and I blew through the box jumps fairly quickly. Time for round two. A little more difficult. The pull-ups still went a little easier but the weights were hard. At the end, they were made a little lighter for my 3rd round. The box jumps went a little slower too. By the time I reached my 3rd set I had to take a huge break. However, everyone there was cheering me on, one particular cheerleader was really helping me by cheering and helping my technique and ways to get through the routine. The pull-ups still took a lot longer. When I headed to the weights my side started hurting a bit and I really had to go slow. I felt like a wimp, but I was determined to finish. I was cheered and encouraged all through the end and I finished at just under 19 minutes.

I didn’t come in last. I didn’t fall on my back like a turtle. My side hurt when I was done but I was helped through working it out and starting to feel better. It was amazing. It was a little bit of torture but I was so glad when I finished. i was asked if I was going to come back or not and without a doubt I am. Today when I left my quads were sore, but I still felt like I wanted to get up and more around more. I know things will get easier. I just need to stick to it.

Thank you Jason, Sally, and all of Competitive Fitness! If you haven’t seen it, read my Yelp review.

I’ve spent too much time away from the gym lately and away from doing things to better myself. The past two years have been a rebuilding year in my career. I have been fortunate to land a UX position in the automotive industry in Detroit, and most recently as an Information Designer at General Dynamics, which prompted my move to Tempe.

Now it’s time to rebuild myself. I dove into a new job without taking much of a break, which is the best way for me to approach it. However, because of that I have been slacking a little on the running.

During the Christmas break away from work, I have been getting myself back to where I should be and hitting the gym every day. I would like to say that I have officially gotten myself back to where I should be. I am able to do a steady wog (jog/walk) up straight hills for an hour with ease. At the end, I am even able to do a little strength training as well. Because of this as well, I have already lost 8 lbs.

I’m pretty happy with it as swimsuit season has already started here for me with the weather being similar to springs in the Midwest.

All you readers out there, keep me motivated. Make sure I keep doing at least 45 min of training every day after work

On my way home from work today, I stopped into the gym to claim my company paid for gym membership (yay). It was a very good experience, and the two gyms I have checked out so far (one close to the office and one near my house) they look very clean and professional and have lots of equipment and offer great classes as well.

As I am signing up, I hear a familiar question:

“And will your spouse be signing up as well?”

My response?

“Nope. I got none of those.”

For some reason, ever since moving here (or maybe it’s just noticed because of the insane amount of things I have to fill out) I have repeatedly been asked for my spouse’s information when filling out forms and signing up for things. It didn’t quite hit me until today. I have now come down to a couple conclusions. Either (a) I look like I am or should be married or (b) everyone in Phoenix is taken so it is assumed that I am no exception.

I don’t know if this is a good or a bad thing. It could also be neither good nor bad, and maybe it’s just a standard question you learn to ask when you live in this area? Maybe it’s a western thing. Who knows. But realizing it has happened every single time has definitely made me curious in finding out.