Exercise = happiness?

Meant to do a scary double session today of Dance Fit & Tone then circuit, as I know Hayley survived just that last week, but I had a crabby son at home who really needed some TLC so I had to miss Lance's class today. May swap my usual Monday night for Wendy's circuit this Tuesday. Please tell me, bloggers and commenters, that I won't be the only one struggling . . .

It's been a difficult week (one child's hospital appointment with not particularly good news, bad news about another family member, and manager away so TOO MUCH WORK) but rather than conveniently letting the classes slip as I was starting to feel sorry for myself, I felt even more inspired to go. It's something about the feelgood factor that I think I craved - a bit of normality, cheeriness, sweat and effort that I knew would make me feel (temporarily at least) better. I had a ready-made excuse (well, three, really), but I didn't even have a conscience struggle - there was no way I was going to miss. I even had to run from central Muswell Hill to get to Thursday's, and I was late, but determined to get there! Am I an exercise addict now? Will I need a spell in The Priory before too long? I may have said before that I would go every night (well, almost) if I didn't have two sons at home I want/need to spend SOME time with, which is why I am restricting myself to three sessions a week. Having said that, they are surprisingly supportive and encouraging, though they do like a laugh when they see me coming through the door - a waiting committee of hyenas, you could say. BUT they agree that I'm less red these days.

I met someone recently whom I hadn't seen since before Christmas, and she commented that I'd lost weight on my face (luckily the body was covered up, otherwise she may have noticed that there was little change there). Brilliant - would like to lose the hamster cheeks. Two pounds is the sum of my weight loss, but I'm not surprised. I find it very hard at this time of year to cut down portions and stop picking in the evening. Once the warmer weather comes I'll be less interested in food and it should be easier. When the lighter evening comes, I potter about outside after eating, in the garden or on the playing field, so there isn't that temptation to laze around. Roll on spring . . .

Thanks to everyone who's blogged back - it's nice to hear from you, and your comments are so kind, but I probably still don't know who you are in class, so sorry about that!!

Jennifer