Motive[weight]

I haven't spoken of my struggle with weight on this blog (it'll happen eventually), but those of you who followed my old blog know it's been an ongoing issue for a while now. To sum it up, I gained a substantial amount of weight due to a few different health problems (some remain mysterious), and to say that losing it has been a challenge would be a colossal understatement.

In addition to the general joys weight gain brings - lack of fitness, loss of muscle, impaired balance - I have another concern that weighs on me (no pun intended): I own a small horse. Last I measured, Mexi was 15.2hh in front and about 15.3hh in back. With her petite posterior and my super sized one, this creates a bit of an issue.

My weight is definitely a very large reason (ha - again) that I haven't been riding her... in addition to other totally insane reasons like "I haven't ridden in 6 years and she's completely green". I currently have a number in my head for where I'd like myself to be, and I'm about 20-25lbs away from that. I will be there by spring, damnit!

 Anyway, in addition to not wanting to ride my midget mare, I've also lost a lot of motivation for riding in general. The desire is there, and it is SO strong, but the idea of shoving my butt into tight breeches, testing the absolute limits on the zippers of my half chaps, and fumbling around in my saddle like a Weeble? Not so appealing.

This is merely a mind game, however, and one I need to win. I need to get back in the saddle, not just because it can contribute, in whatever small part, to my overall fitness... but also because I really need to get reacquainted with my old riding self.

The winter weather may be a blessing in disguise. For the most part, it keeps us hacking in the fields instead of schooling in the ring. I had forgotten just how great it is to get out and ride in a field, but I was happily reminded yesterday.

A girl who may be leasing one of Kevin's horses came out to try them, and Kevin asked me to take her for a hack. I rode Olivia, and let me tell you... it was a blast. We went in the front field and just walked for the most part, with some trots and canters thrown in. And it was FUN. Really, really fun.

Olivia
Sweetest face

It was like a combination between a big slap in the face and a huge surge of motivation. I love to ride. I really, really love to ride. While my desire to ride never lessened, I think I let myself forget how much I thoroughly enjoy it - regardless of what size my breeches are. I had a blast yesterday, and I never once felt hindered by my weight.

Since my ride on Sunday, I've made plans to go for a hack tomorrow with K, to go for a hack after school on Friday with E (girl trying the horse), and I hope to get up either Saturday morning or sometime Sunday. I'd love to go both days, but I'm not sure if it's in the gas budget.

Moral of the story: just hop on a horse, find a field, and RIDE. The rest will come naturally.

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Fitness Friday: Oops

I must admit, I have done zero on the fitness front this week. I've been so mentally unprepared for the transition back into school that most evenings I'm just exhausted and do little more than nap or zone out watching tv. Tsk, tsk.

My tentative weekly plan is as follows:

Monday: school/work
Tuesday: school/barn
Wednesday: school/cardio/weight circuit
Thursday: school/cardio/general exercises
Friday: school/cardio/weight circuit
Saturday: work/cardio/general exercises
Sunday: barn/cardio/weight circuit

weight circuit: A preset circuit of machines designed by the gym to be completed 3x a week. I am a beginner to weights so I plan on starting with the machines and moving up to free weights as I get more fit (and enlist in some really knowledgeable friends to show me the ropes).

general exercises: Lower intensity exercises to keep my body working, ie squats, plank.

This is extremely tentative and may be altered depending on how I'm feeling that week. I don't want to end up hurt, but I also understanding that I need to push my boundaries a bit to see results, especially as someone with a lot of hormonal imbalances that make it very difficult to lose weight.

I'm also signing up for a Biggest Loser competition at school. I weigh in on Tuesday and pay $20 to enter; the challenge is 13 weeks long and the winner gets 60% of the money. Second place gets 25% and third place gets 15%.

Hopefully I will have a better update next week!

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Fitness Fridays

To keep myself accountable in the new year, I am going to attempt to post about my fitness achievements (or lack thereof) each week. You know, public shaming and what not.

I stated getting fit as one of my overall goals for 2014, and I feel the need to stress how important it is. I wish to be a successful, competent, effective equestrian and I cannot achieve those aspirations as a couch potato. I have put on a lot of weight over the last few years - much of it due to health reasons, some of it due to just plain giving up - and this makes me unhappy, both in my personal life and in my horse life. It's time to get back in the saddle, both figuratively and literally, so why not use my blog to help me get there?

In the interest of keeping this horse blog an actual horse blog, I will limit these posts in length and frequency. If you don't care to hear me moan about getting my ass handed to me at the gym, feel free to skip reading my blog on Fridays. But if you have an interest in fitness as well, encouragement, discussion, and camaraderie is welcomed. Strength in numbers!

Pretty much.

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