New here and to workingout, kinda

Hi there, everyone!

My name is Laurena (I usually go by Rena, Lauren, or Bella- Bella and Rena are my faves) I am 23 years old and I work as a phlebotomist in a bilingual clinic a half hour (w/o traffic) away from home. At home, though, is where my life is most 'active' (read: crazy) lol. Bare with me, I'm sure this is going to be long so I am sorry in advance if it ends up being long :embarassed:

I work full time and I am a ferrent of four (Yes- I said ferrent, as in ferrets, not parent as in children-lol) I am also a Chihuahua mom, co-founder of a local ferret recreation/re-homing aide/education group, and sort of a homemaker as well; I am engaged to my dream man, lol.

Now to the meat of the issue- Why I'm here:

I have had a life-long issue with weight, my highest was nearing 200lbs, my lowest 110lbs (I was very depressed a few years ago, with drew from everything and did nothing but sleep) and I am now 134lbs. I am only 5ft tall, no inches. I recently found out that I have 33% body fat, am clinically overweight and have high triglycerides. Heart problems run in my family, along side weight issues and probably further compelled by my family's refusal to exercise. My family history, on both sides, is pock marked with a slew and a half of health issues and since quite a few are healthy-weight related, I have decided to break the cycle.

As a kid, I horseback rode and did ballet, but I stopped doing any form of exercise for a long time. I don't know/remember why but I do know it was an extreme (and sudden) hate/rejection of physical activity... I even used to practice civil disobedience in gym/health class. However, In my junior year of high school, I got fed up with how I looked and started an incredibly unhealthy crash diet with a friend. I also started dancing again, my own demented version of belly dance from watching it on TV though- not ballet. Eventually I got to about 140 and even started taking classes (for belly dance and salsa + I also was getting into some of my culture and I learned Bachata, Merengue and reggaeton on my own/with friends) but when I went to school for phlebotomy, I didn't really have time for it, not to mention I felt good at my slip-and-slide weight (125-130-ish).

Since my fiancee and I moved in together we had made weekend dancing our ritual (usually on sat. night, sometimes fri and sat- ocassionally fri, sat and sunday) but they a while ago they shut down the two closest places, one because they were serving booze to minors and a mere three weeks later, the other because some one was killed there. I don't think anyone else is going to be opening clubs in the area (three have been shut down in the past like 5 yrs because murders have taken place there).. and now that the closest club is over an hour and a half away we don't go anymore I have a lot of different passions these days as well, not just dance, so between them and work I definitely don't have time for classes, however since I already know how to dance I plan on doing it (and other exercises) at home.

My fiancee finally got a car, so I have a bit more time now and I am working out a little routine:

10lb weights kept in the car for arm-type weight-lifting exercises during my (30 min) lunch break at work, get home (power) walk the dog for 10 mins, 15 mins straight of dance (either belly dance, bachata, salsa, merengue, reggaeton or what I remember from Ballet) then do most of the ferret stuff and get the younger pair out for their play time in one room, older pair in another. Play with the ferrets a little and make every ones dinner (3 raw fed, one still on kibble because of his health issues- chihuahua gets a kibble/wet mix) attempt to do another 15 mins of straight dance (different from what I did the previous 15 mins) then between playing with the kids and play-room switching I do (I think they're called) pelvic lifts, so far I can do about 20 if I work out every other day instead of every day, if I try two days in a row I get to about 5 the 2md day and want to die, lol. Then I do this weight lift exercise I found in a magazine a while ago. Get on all fours, ten lb weights behind one knee and lift straight up 10-15 times, then out to the side 10-15 times (then of course switch legs) and if I can, I try to get a jog in at some point or another. I don't live in the worst apartment complex in the world, but it isn't the nicest either and I don't feel comfortable jogging there (don't have time to go somewhere else and do it) so I jog around my apartment, lol. I'm sure that sounds nuts, but it's how I roll :bigsmile:

Does that sound good? I am thinking of adding 3lb weights when I walk the dog and/or jog but not quite yet. I was told to work up to that point. As I'm sure you can tell, this is my first time working out on a schedule sooo I was wondering- is that okay? Will it help me slim down/firm up and get healthy?
Also, there is one part of my body I don't want to slim down. I looove my big butt , it's my fav part of my body and I am worried about loosing it so I want to add in some exercises that will help keep its size and, hey if it gets firmer and/or more lifted, I ain't gonna complain.. I heard that I should get a stair stepper + do squats and lunges. Does this work?

If you've made it this far, congratulations (lol) and I truly thank you :flowerforyou:

Sorry again for length :blushing:

-Bella