Exercise Update

This past week I've been trying out running. I never thought I'd like it...but I do! I should've listened to Emily all those months ago, but I guess I just had to find it in my own time.

This week has been a starter week, but I'm proud of where I am. I haven't run a mile since high school, where my times were anywhere between 9 and 11 minutes. This week I've been running two miles in thirty minutes and my average speed has been about a 4. All in all I'd say that's pretty good!

I figure I'll start off three days a week and start doing more days if I feel like it. I have a small inkling my legs will appreciate the days off I'm giving myself. :-).

Oh and P.S. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with their loved ones! :-)

Starting Over

Earlier this year I tried out the P90 workout system.  My Near Years goal was to become more toned and to lose a little bit of weight.  I was doing really well with it and I was looking and feeling great, but then I came down with what I believe was the flu and never picked it up after that.  The workouts consisted of six days rotating cardio and weight training which I found to be boring after a while.  I pushed myself to workout, but I was not enjoying it at all.  Even though I was happy with the results I was tired of the same routine day after day.  I like changing it up and I just wasn't getting it with this program.

I've been saying for a while that I wanted to get back into an exercise routine.  I tried doing P90 again but it wasn't enjoyable.  You've got to have fun with what you're doing or you won't make it into a routine.  This time I started slowly.  I've been watching my serving sizes and making sure I'm substituting heavier ingredients with healthier ones.  I've been trying to eat five small meals a day instead of three big ones and drinking more water.  I've also found that I feel so much better and have so much more energy throughout the day!

The next step was to find an exercise program that I liked and could see myself doing for a while.  Thanks to Pinterest (I say that a lot!  haha!) I found a link to this site called Bodyrocks.tv.  You do different workouts every day that consists of cardio and weight training, and they take about 20 minutes to do.  I love them!  If you don't have the equipment they do in the videos they give you alternative workouts and you can be anywhere from beginner to advanced!  I started at the beginning of the week and I'm super excited to do a new routine every day!  Unfortunately, my legs are so sore today (I can barely walk!) that I think I should take a break.  I probably pushed myself way too hard but...that's okay though because I will just pick up where I left off tomorrow!  

What do I want as I go through this process?

• I want to lose weight and tone up.  Right after high school I was 103 pounds and now I weigh 126.  Can't believe I just told the world this but maybe this will push me to change it.  (and yes I know that everyone changes after high school...trust me!) My goal weight is going to be between 115 and 120.
• I want to take care of my body and make sure that I am doing everything I can to ensure that I am healthy in the future.
• I want to enjoy exercising and taking care of myself!  (that's the most important one...loosing weight is just icing on the cake!)
• I hope that I will be able to motivate others who are struggling with exercising and encourage them to find something they enjoy!  

What I don't want to happen:

• I don't want to give up sweets and other yummy foods that are bad for you (everything in moderation!).  
• I don't want to loose my motivation or get bored easily.
• I don't want to get discouraged if I hit a plateau during this process.
• I don't want to get discouraged if I gain a few pounds here and there.  That is all part of the process and I shouldn't starve or punish myself if that happens. 

So...I am asking everyone I know to push me towards my goal.  I'll need lots of support and encouragement throughout this journey.  I realize that if I do not enjoy what I'm doing then I won't be motivated to continue exercising so I am going to try to do everything I can to make sure I am enjoying myself!  I am going to write updates every week to keep track of how I'm doing, share my triumphs and hardships, and to encourage myself!  Even when I do not feel like I'm making any progress I can look back and say..."wow!  Look at all I've accomplished up to this point!"

Hit the Ground Running

It's 4:30 in the afternoon and this is the first time (since breakfast) that I've sat down all day long.  I haven't even had time to take a shower (T.M.I.?  Sorry!).  Deactivating my facebook account has really opened up my time during the day.  Yes, it's only been one day but I honestly don't miss it. 

While eating breakfast this morning, I had HGTV on (my new favorite channel).  I have been watching my favorite shows for tips on how to clean appliances in the house as well as how to maximize storage.  Today was all about cleaning, and since some of the appliances in our kitchen really needed some help, I thought I'd write down the tips and use them for myself!  Now, there are no before or after pictures, but I'll do my best to describe how they looked before!

First off, let me share some tips that I learned today.  I apologize if you already know some of these, but if you don't I'm hoping you'll try them out in your own kitchen!

1. How to Clean Your Stainless Steel Appliances/Sink:
1. Mix 3 tbspn Cream of Tarter, 1 tbspn hydrogen peroxide  OR
2. Use Olive Oil to clean fingerprints off appliances and to bring back the shine  AND
3. Throw slices of lemons into the garbage disposal.
2. How to Clean Your Coffee Pot and Make It Shine:
1. Put one cup white vinegar for every three parts water and run the cycle monthly  AND
2. Run two full pots of cold water to wash all the vinegar out of the pot.
3. To clean the glass pot, fill with salt and ice, leave for a few hours, then rinse it out.  It will get all the old coffee stains off and your pot will look good as new!
3. How to Clean Your Microwave:
1. Heat two slices of lemon and a tsp. of water in a microwavable bowl for one minute  OR
2. Heat soap and water for a minute  OR
3. Heat vinegar and water  THEN
4. Wipe the microwave clean.

Let me just say that Chris and I have been talking about getting rid of our microwave for a while now.  It was so stained and food was baked into the walls.  Because of the few tricks from above, the microwave looks almost new (there are a few stains that I just couldn't get out) and whenever we move, Chris can keep it and put it in his "man cave!"  Success!!  haha....Also, my coffee pot was in desperate need of a cleaning.  It had a lot of old coffee stains on it, and by soaking it with salt and ice the pot looks like new! 

I honestly can't even believe how great everything looks.  Not only did I exercise today, but I also got the kitchen and even a few loads of laundry done.  Okay, I've got to get back to everything because if I sit down for much longer, I'm going to pass out.  :-)  

Comittment Issues

Today I finally realized something.  I think I've known for a very long time, but I just didn't want to admit it.  Now, please bear with me because this is a little difficult to admit.  But...I have a commitment problem.  This may sound crazy since most everyone knows that I am so excited that Chris is finally talking about getting married and buying a house (yay!) and that I can't wait for all of that to happen.  So, just to clarify, I have commitment issues that have nothing to do with other people...just myself!

For example, I quit P90 with only a month left until moving on to the next workout regimine.  But, to be fair, I had come down with the flu for a week and I just couldn't get back into my exercise routine after that.  And then, I tried giving up facebook for Lent but failed miserably at that too!  My track record with things is just horrible!  So, I have decided to give it all a try again.  For the past week, I keep telling myself that I want to start exercising again but I just haven't gotten around to it.  I have also been thinking about giving up facebook for a while.  Being addicted to my computer for hours a day and not getting anything done is just not working for me anymore.  There is so much that I want to do and it just never seems to get done.  Maybe, if I give up social networking for a while, I'll have better luck.  I think the reason my facebook boycott will work this time because I'm doing it for myself.  I guess we will see.

I also want to start exercising again.  I loved the p90 workouts the first time so I see no problems with me starting them up again.  Sam also brought me some African dancing workouts that I've been dying (but too scared) to try them!  Maybe I'll even brave the horrific heat and go for a walk or two!  haha...Only time will tell.

So, (I'm stealing this from you Emily..sorry!), I'm challenging each and every one of you to pick up a hobby you used to love but stopped doing for whatever reason.  Do something that makes you happy, that brings you joy!