Ready, Set, Plank

Welcome to “Losing It,” my new home away from home. I have been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember, and that’s why this blog is so important to me. It will serve as my online journal about my strengths, weaknesses, food habits and my fitness goals. You will join me on my journey towards a healthy lifestyle and I couldn’t be more excited!

I hadn’t been to the gym in a long, long time. But I felt nothing but adrenaline when I walked into New York Sports Club to meet my trainer, Eric. He jumped right in with an order that I get into plank position and hold it for 30 to 45 seconds. “Come on girl, you can do it,” he shouted. But could I? For those of you who are not familiar with planks, you basically hold steady in a push-up position in order to build strength in both the abs and the back. “Use your core, contract your abdominals, tilt your pelvis,” Eric instructed. All I kept saying was, “I can’t…I quit, it hurts!” In the past, I would always quit when it came to addressing my weight. So, while in plank position and feeling like I was going to fall out, I caught myself being negative and quickly changed my tune. I will do it—because I can, no matter how hard it gets.

Do you have any tips for keeping yourself motivated when embarking on a fitness plan?