And This Is Where We Begin... Again...

Workout 1 on the new elliptical trainer is on the books.

36:41 minutes -- 4092 strides -- 301.1 calories

I do love me some numbers.

But even more than that, I love me some progress. So it feels kind of strange to be starting back at 1 almost exactly 6 years after this MegaChallenge got started. But... here I am.

The good news is that I'm not doing a complete rewind. I haven't regained all of the weight I lost 6 years ago (and kept off successfully for another 4 years). I'm starting out about 10 - 15 pounds lighter than last time. I'm also starting out much wiser and -- um -- 6 years older. This means I know what works for me and what doesn't and what needs to change to get my body into decent shape -- even if my 40 year old self knows that it isn't ever going to be 20 again.

I also know that the scale and my jean size don't measure my progress. My stamina and ability to say yes to the things I want to do are what actually matter.

Being happy. Feeling good.

Those are my ROI categories as I restart this quest to exercise on a regular basis.

So, why the home version of the elliptical trainer -- besides the fact that walking and dieting aren't what keeps my butt fitting in my wardrobe? Because it means:

• I don't have to wait 20 minutes for a turn on the gym version
• No one will tell me that I only get 30 minutes to do my 70-minute workout. 
• I get to sing out loud. (I love singing while I work out!)
• I get to be in my home -- which I love, love, love.
• It eliminates the drive to the gym and back.
• My kids get to do what they actually want to do while I work out rather than my being called 14 times to deal with an issue in the childcare area (only to re-start my wait for a machine.)
• I get to sing out loud. (I love cranking up the stereo and singing!)
• I get to enjoy my runs to nowhere without being forced to watch shows that gross me out on screens all over the room.
• My own private shower -- complete with my soaps, scrubs, shampoos, and soft towels -- is only steps away.
• I get to sing out loud. (I may even take up singing in the shower, too!)

Ahhhh. Happy and feeling good.