Saturday, June 10, 2006

Happy fitness anniversary

This week I celebrated one year of a changed lifestyle. It was about a year ago that I started going to the University's fitness centre. It was housed in a racquet centre at the time, due to renovations. That first day, it took me a good 10 minutes just to find the door in.

I thought it might be a sign from above that maybe I was not supposed to get fit after all. But somehow... I doubted it.

I celebrated my "one-year fitness anniversary" last week by trying something new: wall climbing. I took a 2.5 hour workshop on the basics of wall / rock climbing and learned how to set up ropes, tie in and belay. (That was a new word for me. No, fellow runners, it does not rhyme with "relay", but is instead said "buh-LAY"... means to help your partner up and down the wall by managing the ropes.)

I had a blast! And was hideously sore the next day!

A quick re-cap of the past year in review:

  • 6 dress sizes lost
  • 23 personal training sessions completed
  • 52 weeks of consistent training
  • 1 new-found love of running

  • 2 injured knees (patellofemoral syndrome)
  • 1 knee recovered
  • 1 compartment "like" condition in right lower leg - mostly recovered
  • 2 vertebrae discovered with bone spurs
  • 1 case of plantar fasciitis

  • countless fears overcome
  • numerous new friends and running "blogger buddies"

Not a bad way to change a life, really... even with the injuries.

17 comments:

ipodmomma said...

well done! good to keep in mind all that you have accomplished with various obstacles thrown in.

what will year 2 bring??? :))))

Granny said...

I remember your post about the door although I may have found it back in your archives.

Happy anniversary.

Backofpack said...

Sarah, you are incredible! I love your summary of the past year, and I hope you continue this lifestyle change for so long that you lose track of the anniversaries!

Madcap said...

Happy Anniversary! You're quite the gal!

Olga said...

Heck, arah, that's one serious anniversary! SO many changes, and many more to come...you're doing great! Keep it up!

Turtle Guy said...

The sign from above actually read

"Just so you'll appreciate it, the door is here but you'll have to seek it out... and by the way, just to keep the scenery interesting, be prepared for a few detours!"

Miss Kim said...

Such an inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Man you have accomplished some serious goals in the past year. I'm glad you put all on one page like that. We sometimes forget the progress we are making. You have more determination than anyone I know and have my admiration.

soap said...

Can only imagine what we'll be reading this time next year! You're great. Keep it up.

William said...

Keep at it, you're doing great. Nothing worth anything is easy.

Legs and Wings said...

You are so determined Sarah. Look where you've been! You are magnificent!

Unknown said...

Hey, how did you know I pronounced it like relay?

Congrats on your anniversary. You have had a remarkable year and I know there will be more good fortune to come.

Sarah said...

What a year! Here's wishing that your next year has more of the good and none of the bad. Way to go!!

M A F said...

Happy (belated) Anniversay Sarah!

psbowe said...

Yes, happy anniversary. You're awesome!

you got quite a list of accomplishment. I'm really impressed. :)

Anonymous said...

yay!!!!!!! happy anniversary!!!!!!

rock climbing is awesome. i loved rock climbing even when i was overweight. the feeling of moving my body over the wall, concentrating, using determination to reach the top...ahhh...

Dori said...

Happy Anniversary! Keep up the good work! I remember when I started my fitness program and how the pounds just seemed to melt away. I'm now reading a book, called "Younger Next Year" which explains why exercise is so beneficial. It's actually geared for people in the "third stage" of their life, which is not you. But keep it up and when you finally reach that stage (read, old age) you'll have the fitness of a woman at least twenty years younger than your biological age.