Slice of Life...Almost

Today marked the first day I could work out in September in the gym...and so began the challenge. Every month I am going to truly check how strong I am. After tutoring, I walked into the gym in my beautiful Old Navy skirt...and a gorgeous orange colored shirt to compliment it. I quickly changed, warmed up on the treadmill for five minutes, strapped on my black and pink gloves, popped the ear buds in and began shuffling my songs to find an inspirational pump me up song.

I decided on Healer from Casey Darnell's cd (it's a song that reminds me how Jesus is my ultimate Healer). I walked over to the pull-up machine. I grip the handle, raise myself, get my bearing and start lowering myself down. Not too far, I keep thinking (cause I have to try and get my body back up). As I lower about halfway, I decide it's time to try and go up. I begin the tremendous task of pulling myself up. I am grunting and sweating, but I try and kick my feet and bring them up a little and as I do, I feel my body begin to go higher. My chin just barely made it up to the bar and I let go. I become a bit undignified and start jumping up and down and air high-fiving no one. I almost just did a full pull-up with NO assistance. Woo hoo! It's the most I have ever pulled myself up and while it may not be the "perfect" pull-up, my personal trainer is still counting it as one. Good thing he is, because I surely am!

And for those who care, I am still working on a dip, but my bent arm hang went from 10 seconds to 12 seconds (and that's only 11 days later from trying it the first time). Next month, check in again...the goal - one pull-up, one dip, and longer than 12 seconds.