Furey begins journey toward finding his abs

The week started New Year's Eve with my first workout and weigh-in with Ken Cutcher at Anytime Fitness in Norwalk. After measuring my hips, waist, weight, BMI and percentage of body fat, Ken had me warm up on a treadmill. That was the easiest part of the workout!

 

The workout consisted of planks, push-ups, holding dumbbells while stepping onto a box, and ended with time on the elliptical machine. When I finished the workout I felt tired, but my body was not sore.

 

I spent the rest of Monday helping get ready for a New Year’s Eve party and spent the evening at the party, walking up and down stairs many times throughout the night. Still nothing hurt. I was feeling pretty good about myself!

 

Then Tuesday morning hit, and my body finally responded to Monday’s workout. While it hurt to move my arms above my head, my legs hurt even more! The front of my thighs were tight, sore and didn’t want to work. I tried to dull the pain with acetaminophen, but that did not help. I had trouble walking all day, and even sleeping that night was difficult.

 

My second workout was on Wednesday. I was worried about the workout, given my sore body. However, Ken changed up what I was doing, and I made it through the workout without any major issues.

 

Thursday and Friday were filled with work and cardio routines, and Saturday morning I completed my circuit exercises at the gym without my trainer. As of Sunday morning, I feel great!

 

Since this has started, the outpouring of support has been incredible. I have been approached at stores by people I know wishing me good luck. I’ve received emails or texts from colleagues, both past and present, telling me they are rooting for me. Many of my fellow teachers have been asking about the FIT Challenge and everyone I have spoken to is supportive. I even had almost 30 people, some I’ve never met, respond to my sister’s Facebook posting of my first column wishing me the best. I thank everyone for the support!

 

I am going to finish with a wise comment from my trainer Ken. He said “Alan, you have abs, they are just hidden under the fat.” I can’t wait to see them again!