Outside motivation

So for the last 5 weeks, I have been exercising at least 5 hours a week. I started because my company offered the incentive that if we did the YMCA March madness challenge for at least 3 weeks we would get one PTO day. Well, that was incentive enough for me. In addition, if we were able to make it to the final 4 teams out of 28, we would get our company medical contribution paid for two pay periods. Well, I am happy to say that I made it to the final four. I love some competition and my teammates do too. In the process of exercising, I have been exposed to many different classes at the YMCA. I have done Yoga, Body Step, X-Factor, Spinning, & FIT. I will have to say that most of the classes were quite enjoyable. I wasn't much of a Body Stepper though. It's like dance steps and I have two left feet when it comes to dance.

The good news is that a byproduct of the exercising has caused me to lose around 11 LBS! I certainly didn't set out to lose that much weight but I guess I have accumulated some extra weight over the past few years. I hope that I can continue the motivation to keep exercising even when the competition is over. Because the best benefit is that I feel so much better now then when I started over a month ago. Staying healthy is a lifestyle change that can be hard to keep up. So I hope along with me you can find some motivation to do whatever you can to feel better and stay healthy.

I am the Queen of the World!!!

So my fitness goal for the year is to run a 5k with my dad when he gets back from Iraq (I’ve been promising him this for years and have never done it). I haven’t fully mapped out my plan of action, but I feel like I have a good start. I’ve been running/walking a loop in my neighborhood that is about a mile. I get up at 6am, stretch, run it, and stretch again… simple, but it’s a start. Well, let me tell you that first week (which was last week, yes I am late getting this goal going) was hard! I am out of shape in a bad way! But, today I ran the whole thing and I felt awesome. The wind was blowing in my face, the temperature was perfect, and birds were chirping as if to cheer me on. I even circled the court afterwards and pumped up my speed. YES! So, I’m feeling pretty good today. Any other success stories out there???

Happy New Years!

It is time to start the new year out right! So have you set any New Year's goals to help you to get healthy?

There is a great article about setting goals here. Some of the highlights are:

#1. Determine a long term goal.

#2. WRITE IT DOWN - studies show that you will be more likely to stick to your goal if you write it down

#3. Create a timeline for the goal, with short term goals along the way to help you achieve it.

#4. Be realistic in your goals. Make sure they are achievable.

#5. Be specific. Very specific. The more specific the better.

#6. Determine a reward for achieving your goal and little rewards for all the short term ones along the way.

#7. Be forgiving of yourself. Have a contingency plan in case something gets in the way of your goal.

So I'm going to help you out with the second step of the goal setting process. Write down your goal in the comments and let us know what you are planning for this year as your health goal. Happy goal setting!

Okay, how did you do?

Thanksgiving... probably the worst day of the year for eating healthy. I read once that the average American eats 5000 calories on Thanksgiving, whoa! So, is it time to regroup in preparation for Christmas?

Weight goals?
Exercise goals?
Healthy food goals?

Don't falter now, you can do it!!!

Friday Weigh-In

I haven't been doing very good at keeping up with this, but I'll try to do better!

How have things been going?

I'm struggling right now, but I don't think I've really gained any, so that is good!

Chasing Time...

Happy Monday everyone!
I hope you're all having a beautiful start to your November.
As usual I'm still in the race to a healthier mind, body and spirit.
However, I've had a break though as to what keeps me feeling like I'm constanting running...I'm chasing time :(
The HARDEST part of trying to living a healthy life through exercise is finding the TIME!
I can't set a certain "time" of day and then expect to always have that little block of time.
Between taking care of children, housework, church callings, cooking, laundry and jobs we have to be willing to take whatever time we can.
So for all of you in the chase...put on your running shoes and pace yourself...we're in it to win it!!!

Eating Tips

I just read a terrific article on natural eating at Simple Mom. I found it really inspiring and great simple advice.

Hoorah For Me (and hopefully you too)!

I just need to pat myself on the back because I have been walking every day (except Sunday) since Fall began. How about you? Are the cooler temperatures inspiring you? If you haven't experienced it yet, take a step outside and breath in the Autumn goodness... maybe then you will feel like a little stroll, or jog, or *gasp* run!


Keep up the great work, you can do it!!!

Hello Monday!

Welp, it's Monday again and you know what that means...a whole new world!
WAIT...Aladdin, get out of here :)
I don't know about you but this weekend was a TERRIBLE one!!!
Ate LOTS of yummy but VERY unhealthy foods and ZERO exercise (yikes!)
However, it's a new week and a new chance for everyone...including all of us going through FOOD REPENTANCE...ooooooh :( LOL!
Weighed in this morning to know what I was up against this week, from a splurge weekend, and I gained ONE POUND... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

We're all entitled to falling off the wagaon...or being pulled behind it in some cases :)

The question is..."WHAT WILL WE DO ABOUT IT STARTING NOW?"

FRIDAY WEIGH IN???

Hello all!!!

Hope this week's been a productive one full of happiness and healthiness :)
How's everyone weighing in?
With two days of no exercise whatsoever in a row, I'm sad to report...nothing for me!
No weight gain :) ...but also no weight loss either :(

Just remember, when life's got you down or your goals haven't been met, it's ok!
Perfection can never be reached in this life, but that can't keep us all from trying.
Keep you head up, stick with it and know you've got others sweatin' it out with you!!