Well I did it! I completed my 40/40 challenge, yahoo! As I reflect back over the year I stand in amazement over the things I’ve been able to accomplish, and this is just another one to add to the list.
I started my journey walking 30 minutes on the treadmill 3-4 days a week. In February I started my strength training. This helped to strengthen me and allowed me to go longer and faster as I progressed along the way. From there I commited to a “no excuse” month in March and committed to exercising everyday no matter what for 31 days. At that point daily exercise became a habit for me and my body began to crave it. To spice things up I added classes to my regimen, which included Hip Hop, Yoga, Spinning and Zumba! As I have shared before, Zumba quickly became my new passion and although I tried a spinning class I did not like it
Once the weather broke I started walking 45 minutes in the neighborhood in morning before I had to get ready for work. In May I signed up to do my first 5K race. Although I walked it, I vowed to run it in 2012! In June I started training with the Coach to 5K program. I went from running or should I say puffing my way to 1 minute, then 2, then 3, then 5, then 10. From there I started tracking my runs in miles. I went from .25, to .50, to 1 mile, etc. Now I’m up to 3.50 miles (3.25 straight).
I did a Zumbathon, walked in a 2nd 5K race, joined a running group (Black Girls Run) and signed up to get certified as a Zumba Instructor! WOW, what a year!
Oh and let me not forget to mention that I’ve dropped 40lbs, 3 dress sizes and 21.5 inches!! Oh yeah, it was a VERY good year! All I can say is 2012 look out because 2011 was just a warm up!
Much Love
Stacey