Every time I start to write my “Ode to Exercise,” which I promised last week (or was it two weeks ago?), it starts out as a history of my exercising patterns. Blech. Who wants to read that?Instead I decided to do a quick in-a-nutshell recap of exercising then, in between and now…
As a kid: Hated it.
As a teen: Obsessed about it.
As a college student: What is exercise again?
And now…
I don’t know what it is. Some way, some how, I’ve been exercising for nearly a month. I joined a fabulous gym that has group exercise classes, exercise equipment, programs for kids, a water slide, a lazy pool and a lap pool. The best part is membership is only $25 per month. I KNOW, RIGHT?
Miraculously, I’ve been working out 4-5 times a week. A month ago I only averaged 1-2 times per week, if that. Now, almost every morning, I roll myself out of bed, throw on some clothes and partake in the amazingness that is yoga and Pilates. And for variety and cardio I throw in a little walking with the hubby, elliptical and cycling machines.
Wow! I impress myself.
So I am trying to figure out what’s changed? I think my success in all of this is…
1.) Knowing I am paying for it.
2.) The fear of having my coworkers ask if I worked out this morning.
3.) Grace.
Grace should really be #1 on that list. Probably twice a week I wake up and just don’t go or I sleep in. Only once have I felt like a huge failure. Otherwise, I give myself a pep talk which goes something like, “Okay Shawnee, you’re doing awesome. So you’re tired. You’ve already worked out 2 times this week and there are still 4 days left after this. You are doing this for you and you alone.”
I know soon I will have to kick it up a notch, adding in more strength training and cardio, but for now...wow. Did I say that already?
Questions: How many times a week do you work out? How many times would you like to work out?
Tomorrow I hope to post my thoughts on portion sizes and nutrition.
Blessings,
Shawnee
P.S. The picture is from www.prevention.com.
P.P.S If you didn't see my new recipe from Wednesday, check it out.
P.P.P.S Check out Dancia Daily's amazing giveaway!
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I work out most days but it's because my husband does too - so we don't give each other that time to think twice about it. once I see him roll out of bed, I know I just have to get up! Accountability is a strong thing! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job on the exercise! It can be hard to get going, but once you've made it a habit, it's hard to live without. I have gone through stretches with very little exercise, and I didn't feel very good.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I work out about six times per week at the gym. I worked up to this gradually. A year ago, I worked out about three to four times per week at the gym and went for a lot of walks with the toddler. Now he isn't into the "stroller thing" so much anymore, but he loves the child care at our gym, and that's actually a great motivator for me to go! I have also added a lot more strength training over the last few months (but I need to switch things up again). And I really need to take some classes...
Have a great weekend, Shawnee!