Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Need a kick in the butt today

OMGosh... I stayed up way too late today and got up way too early. I had to stay up for the BCS Championship between Auburn and FSU. Congrats to FSU.. I'm sad that my Auburn Tigers didn't win, but it's still great to be an Auburn Tiger. What a season they had!

At any rate.... it's 8 degrees here, with a windchill of -7. The extremely cold temps coupled with my lack of sleep does not make for a very motivated me.

It's going to be a long day.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Get Moving

Sticking with an exercise regimen is, and has always been, a challenge for me. So, I went looking around online for some tips to keep me going.... here's some nuggets that I found that looked like they spoke to me. It's not just about doing intentional exercise, it's about living a more active lifestyle altogether.

Do something you like. It makes no sense to to and make yourself like to do something, especially if you love doing other activities. If you hate to swim, but you love to run - then run. I hate spin class. It's not so much the class I hate, it's how badly my butt hurts on the bike seat. Thus, I avoid that class. Now, that doesn't mean you can say, "Well, I don't like any exercise so I'm just not going to do it." Sometimes you just have to do what you hate the least. You might find you actually do enjoy activities, you just need to give it a chance. I guess I should probably give spin more of a chance, since I've only tried it once.

Don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Oh, I'm so bad about this one. I feel like I have to get the whole workout in at one time. But sometimes I can only give 15 or 20 minutes at a time. It's OK to do a few short workouts to get your activity in

Find ways to be active that may not be intentional exercise. Park farther away from the door. Take the stairs. Walk or bike to your destination instead of driving. That last one may not be feasible if you are traveling a long distance, but if only going a mile or two it's totally doable.

Exercise with a friend. It's always more fun to exercise with a friend. If you're taking a class at the gym where you feel less than coordinated, you can laugh at yourselves together. Trust me on this one. I love BodyCombat at the gym, but I look ridiculous trying to look like a bad-ass doing these moves. Going to the class with a friend, even if said friend looks more bad-ass than me, makes me feel less intimidated. Not only that, planning to exercise with a friend helps keep you accountable.

Schedule your workout time. Don't just exercise when you get a chance. You'll never have time if you wait until you get a free hour. Schedule your workout just like you'd schedule a doctor's appointment. You're more likely to go if you schedule it like any other appointment. And keep that appointment. You wouldn't blow off a doctor's appointment, would you? I don't typically blow them off, so don't blow off your appointment to get your workout in.

I'm sure there's plenty more tips, but I don't do so well with numerous things to do. I get overwhelmed. These are some that I found that were doable without being overwhelming. Do you have a tip to get your workout in? Feel free to share.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Choose Wisely



Well, it's January 1st. It's the day that most of us resolve to start getting healthy. We set all sorts of resolutions that we will abandon by March. I know, some folks are great at keeping those resolutions. I'm not one of them. I've decided not to set them this year, but rather set monthly goals. I need instant gratification, so I can't set a goal for a year from now and keep with it. I just know me too well sometimes. Other times, I confuse myself, but that's of no concern here today. Ha!

Another thing I know about myself is that I have to have some sort of support team. I can't do this alone. I need someone to encourage me when I fall. I need to be reminded that falling does not equal failing. I need someone to tell me I've done well and that they are proud of me when I reach a goal... or when I get up and do what I should do, even when I'm not feeling it.

There's a difference between having someone who nags you and having someone who encourages you. The person who nags you is the person who lets you know through their actions and tone that you are a disappointment if you don't reach your goal or if you miss a day at the gym. It's the person who you can feel the judgement when you eat something that he or she feels you shouldn't. I have those people. I bet you do, as well.

I also have people who will say, "I know you don't feel like getting your workout in. I'm coming to get you, and we're going to the gym." They say, "Here are your shoes. Put them on. Let's go for a walk." They are the ones who say, "You know, it was one meal. Let's throw the rest of the fried chicken out so you aren't tempted by it again."

I will not be successful if I feel like I have to live up to someone else's standards. I also will not be successful if I am judged when I miss the mark. It doesn't help. So, I have to do my best to distance myself from the negativity and surround myself with positivity.

If you haven't already figure out who your helpers and hindrances are, I challenge you to figure it out. And then I challenge you to set some distance between you and those who bring you down and begin surrounding yourself with those who build you up. Choose wisely.... surround yourself with positive people who want you to be successful and will encourage you along that journey.

Happy New Year!!!

Tricia