Tight Tooshie Thursday :)

Are you ready for your weekly dose of all things fitness?

I have to say that this part of my health journey is beginning to be

the exciting part for me.

When I'm on that treadmill, or doing those crunches,

I can feel myself getting stronger and my body changing.

The more I do it, the more I want to do it.

It's addicting in a way.

I was pretty athletic growing up.

I danced for 10 years, I played softball, volleyball, basketball, threw shot put & discus on track-- well, let's be honest, I wasn't very good at shot put or discus, but I did get to work out in the weight room with the football players {perk!}--I'm just being honest :)

I have great memories of playing club volleyball and

playing at a level that I could push myself.

Pushing yourself gives you something to reach for.

And when you succeed, it's the best feeling!

One of the greatest accomplishments of my life so far {besides my husband and children} is when I was certified on the high ropes course at The Pines Camp back in 1999.

It was something I had no desire to do when I was first asked,

but I decided to try something out of my comfort zone.

It was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever done.

I was terrified at the beginning.

But in the end, there I was, climbing 30 ft. trees, setting up belay systems, and encouraging kids to fall forward off a 20 ft. platform to zip line down.

I not only earned my certification, I was 2nd in my class.

And I was in the best shape of my life.

I used every single muscle in my body to the max that summer!

{here I am the summer of  '99 in all my high ropes glory!}

I think the key to fitness is to find something you like to do.

Working out shouldn't be boring.

If you enjoy it, you will do it.

It's different for everyone.

I am not a runner, but I have friends who love it.

I am not into riding a bike for long distances, but some people find it cathartic.

I like to dance, so I do a Zumba class.

I also like to watch TV, so I do a cardio climb on the treadmill.

It's like being a couch potato with benefits :)

I also have come to realize that I like to sweat.

When I sweat, I feel like I accomplished something.

So I like to do a lot of cardio.

I haven't done a jumping jack in forever.

I am now up to 2 sets of 40 jumping jacks, mixed with some pop ups where you bend down to touch your toes and then pop straight up in the air and back down again.

I am sweating a ton after some sets of those.

These are just a few of my fav things.

I'm not an expert on fitness.

I'm just a mom who's gonna lose it!