Beginning again... making the fitness habit stick

 

Still working on making fitness a habit.  Life, unfortunately keeps getting in the way.  My life is reasonably active... I've been swimming with the kiddies at the pool quite often and I walk the dog a couple of times a day... but I need to rebuild some of the muscle I have lost over the years.

For the short term, I plan to take even 20 minutes a day (while I'm at work) and thrown on the trainers and walk.  The goal is to add more activity to my work day and get my face away from the dang computer for a short while.  So today.... I begin AGAIN.

Day 3. No Quit Get Fit.

Already fell off the wagon.  Day 3 fitness routine consisted of:
1)  Couch.
2)  Red wine.
3)  Chocolate chip cookies.
4)  Considering it a rest day :)

But imma gonna get back on the wagon.  Yes I am. 

Day 2 - No Quit. Get fit.

Motivation is a byproduct of taking action.  I've been going about this exercise thing ass-backwards... thinking that finding my motivation is the thing that will keep me on track with exercising.  This time I am DOING.  By doing something everyday.... whether it's a 30 minute walk... or getting my butt off the couch for some squats... I will be motivated to continue.

It was freezing cold... and I wasn't dressed weather appropriate... so I cut my dog-walking a little short.  Then the kids and I did:
50 shoulder bridges
30 lunges
40 squats
40 one legged bridges
40 clams (on each side)
40 (donkey kicks on each side)
50 shoulder bridges

My form was so bad with the jumping lunges that I substituted normal lunges... plus the ol' mommy bladder can't handle much jumping.  
Once again, it was not pretty.
But exercise done badly is definitely better than exercise not done at all.

Day 1 - No Quit. Get fit.

Day one was a success.  I took Ellie the doodle for a 30 min walk (with a coupla sporadic runs thrown in there).  Felt good.

Then the kiddies and I did: 
30 Shoulder Bridges
40 Plie Squats
30 Jumping Lunges
30 Regular Squats
30 Mountain Climbers
40 Donkey Kicks
30 Shoulder Bridges

It was not pretty... but I did it, and that's the important thing. 

Quitting the quitting habit?

It has been very challenging for me to stick to any sort of exercise routine.  I struggle.  I start things, and I don't finish them.  I am a great beginner.... but not such a great completer.

Lack of time?  Kids? Work?  It's never going to be easy... but I need to keep at this fitness thing.

So for this week... I'm going to get moving someway, somehow for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.  I'm going to stay the hell away from the late night nachos, the pie-binge and the over-indulging in wine.  I'm going to get some appointments booked at Crossfit (although I get a swirly feeling in my stomach... when I think of how scary and painful Crossfit is).  Part of me wonders if it's really supposed to hurt that much.

Here I go again!

My Fitness Journey - Beginning Again

I think I was a fairly active child... and reasonably athletic.  I figure skated competitively for several years, and can probably attribute muscle memory plus a little genetics to my current physique.  I have managed to bounce back from 4 pregnancies.

our first 'house' purchase was this trampoline

Truthfully... I am in horrible shape.  I have very little cardiovascular fitness.  I'm winded climbing a staircase.  My energy levels are not great.  For my age, and lack of consistent exercise... I have decent muscle mass.  I like my body.  I like the way I look in a bathing suit.  But I would like to be fitter, stronger, and have more energy... kinda like the lovely Gabrielle Reece... strong and gorgeous!

Not me.  Gabby Reece

At 40, I believe that I have entered the threshold where if I don't start taking care of myself.... it will truly be downhill from here, and I don't want to go downhill.

I have started many a fitness regime over the last few years and quit every single time.  Some programs I have really enjoyed, like the Thrive 90 program.  Some activities have bored the living snot out of me.

My biggest challenge is how to fit in fitness.  Somehow, in the queue of family life.... I come last.  That is the paradigm that needs to change in order for me to succeed.  I need to put me first.  So for the next month... or so I am going to get up early and do something/ANYTHING active.  It might be a walk... maybe a little weights... maybe the Thrive 90.  I'm going to begin with simply trying to build the habit of putting myself first and doing something active every day for at least 30 minutes per day.