Yesterday was my first day at the gym as part of my fitness plan. I wasn’t sure how my body was going to handle a vigorous work out since the last time I set foot in a gym was back in the summer of 2004. Six years ago I began working out to lose all the weight I had gained in my first year of university – 30 lbs. Thirty pounds of disgusting cafeteria food and me being a sloth for an entire year. I was so out of shape – I believe people refer it as being round, that nothing fit. I was the biggest I had ever been in terms of clothing size and it felt like I was being defeated. This was also the time when I made an impromptu decision to become a vegetarian.

Not eating meat and working out everyday made a world of difference. I was eating very healthy meals and working my butt off at the gym that by the time summer was over and it was time to go back to school, I had lost all the weight I had gained, plus a bit more. The best part about it was that people noticed.

Back to yesterday – I’m not going to lie, I had been putting off working out since May. MAY. And last week, I finally smartened up. Yesterday was a bit challenging and it felt like the fist day at a new school – new gym, new faces, new machines. I tried to not let that bother me and I went at it. Mind you, I cursed at the elliptical machine in my head and I wanted to quit not even half way into my work out, but I didn’t. That’s the old me. The old me always takes the easy way out of a situation, and I can’t keep doing that because I’ll never get anywhere and I’ll never reach my goals.

I have a weight loss goal in my mind (and my BMI and weight loss apps), but it’s going to take a long time and a lot of hard work to get there. I’m finally ready for the challenge. A bit late, but better late than never.