Today I put on a swimsuit for the first time since Aug.  I dread the first time I have to put on my suit each year.  The silent praying that it still fits. The yanking, tugging, pulling & swearing as I maneuver myself into it. The not-so-silent sigh of relief when I see it still fits as I selectively ignore the too-pale skin that hasn’t seen warm sunshine in way too long.

The thought of having to put on a suit has been hanging over my head since yesterday when I realized the day of the kid’s first swim lessons of the year was upon us.  Scorch goes in solo, but the parents still get in the water with the kiddos the Bean’s age, so there was no avoiding it if I wanted my kids to get comfy in the water. I even got out of bed after being up all night with a cold, braved sub-freezing temperatures and crappy snow covered roads to go to 5:30 am Spin class  just so I could feel somewhat better about my body before trying on my suit before lessons. (Don’t ask me what I would have done if it hadn’t fit).

I never used to be this self conscience about my body. But 2 kids and 15 lbs later, I am.  I know what I need to do to remedy the situation- I just need to find the willpower to commit to carrot sticks and salads instead of hot chocolate and PB&J. I also know I need to get a more committed workout routine- 2 Spin classes a week aren’t cutting it. Spinning more often isn’t possible due to the class schedule so I’m toying with the idea of taking up running. Again.

See, I tried to take up running last Spring**.  I really like the idea of running.  The thought of being able to do it anywhere is awesome. I have these visions of running on the beach during vacations or around the school grounds when the kids get older and have sports practice.  But the truth of the matter is, I hate running. Loathe it. Detest it.  I got up to running 2 miles (HUGE FEAT for me) and then I hurt my knee and just never picked it up again.  I have so many friends that love running- they run 3, 4, 5 times a week- and I just shake my head and wonder what I’m missing (and what they are smoking).

So tell me- what am I missing? I’ve got good shoes (I went out and bought them last year from a running store), I have an iPod full of great tunes- hell, I even have a dog to keep me company.  How do I ease back into this and at least get to the point where I don’t hate running?

**I tried the Couch to 5K program last year and wasn’t at all a fan of the stopping/starting aspect of it.