Hard at Work and Staying Fit

by

I was hoping to share a little more progress on the vintage bedroom set but it took me over an hour in a very, very, very hot garage to sand it back even this far.  It actually looked kind of neat as the original blue paint started to peak through the white primer that had been poorly applied on top.  However, the paint is peeling off in places and is full of bumps and honestly, a hot mess.

I’m going to work on it some more today because the weather is cooperating – it’s a little cooler outside.  The hair dryer works by applying heat and then I scrape away.  I’m only doing this to the drawers or I will be working on this dresser until Christmas!IMG_1266 IMG_1267

You all don’t know this, but I also have been working really hard all year to lose extra weight that I had gradually put on over the past few years.  I’m sure you all agree that it kind of creeps up on you and suddenly you realize that your clothes don’t fit!  Actually, my wake up call was the YouTube tutorial I filmed on how to paint over laminate.  I realized when I watched it back that I had to start working out again!

I used to run but injured my leg and quit for a few years.  Time to get back to work!  I joined a gym and started on the treadmill over the winter.  It wasn’t easy to get up super early and go to the gym in the cold but I did it.  During the spring I started running outdoors again.

This summer, I began an adult swim program at my neighborhood pool.  I was intimidated to join (I was a swimmer through high school but that was a long, long time ago!) but I literally jumped right in.  We swam a workout that the coach provided every M/W/F from 7 to 8am.  The first few practices were hard but by the end I got it down.  Each workout was equal to a mile swim.  The program just ended but I am resolved to join our local indoor pool over the winter to keep it up.

I am not a fan of diets or cutting food groups out of my diet.  Just be aware of what you put into your body and make good choices.  I think we all know what is healthy and what isn’t.  It also is all about portions.  I like to exercise because then I can still eat what I want 😉

I’ve dropped 20lbs and it feels so great to be back in shape!  Here I am today after I just got home from a run.IMG_1257

I can even wear a two piece again 🙂 IMG_1239I’ve worked really hard and am proud.  Now back to work on that dresser!

Reader Interactions

Featured Posts

See More →

Comments

  3. Good for you! The weight sure does creep up easily, doesn’t it?! I’m determined to get back in shape this fall, as soon as I get my kids back to school. Thanks for the inspiration on both the workouts and the beautiful furniture!

    • Hi Kim – you are more than welcome! It is just so easy to put on slowly and suddenly you wake up and realize that you are like 20lbs too heavy. So easy to put on and so hard to take off. I wish you the best of luck and when your kids get back to school you can have a little “me” time to do it. I know the feeling 🙂

  4. You look great, but you also look very very tired. I am not a hater, just concerned about you. And please keep up the good work!

  6. Your looking great Suzanne – I’m in Spain most of the time now and we have a pool – I must admit I never go to a gym or anything like this – I don’t really like exercising, but ……. one thing I do like is swimming – so that is my daily exercise. The thing is when you get older (like me – lol) you do tend to put a bit of weight on and I don’t like it and….. I have a sweet tooth, but the swimming I think is great – so join your local swimming pool and at least it will be exercise that you can enjoy 🙂 Oh… and by the way – I can’t wait to see what you do with the Vintage Bedroom Set 🙂

    • That is great! I used to vacation in Nerja, Spain and am still friends on FB with a lot of my old friends that still live there. We would see them every year and spend the summers together. I miss it terribly and hope to go back some time soon. You lucky duck! I would definitely swim every day if I lived in Spain with a pool lol!

  10. WOW! Way to go, Suzanne! You look wonderful and are a great inspiration! I’d better get walkin…:-)

  11. I’m at the point now where you were. I went to my 30th year high school reunion and the pictures that got posted… YUCK. Where did those additional pounds come from and when? So disheartening. Are my arms really that flabby? HAHA. I’ve started back to the gym and getting on our elliptical at home. Wish me luck 🙂

    Also, can’t wait to see the bedroom set!

    • Hi Patra – yes, that is exactly how I felt when looking at that video! It is disheartening and made me a bit depressed. Exercise is good for the mind too. Best of luck getting back into a routine. Just remember before you start how good it feels when you finish! That keeps me going 🙂

  13. Wow! Twenty pounds loss is quite the accomplishment — Good for you!! And you should be proud — getting up early to exercise is not easy — especially in the summer when we’re not forced to get up early because of school age kids. 😀