A month or so ago I went shopping with my teen daughter and had a great time buying clothes in smaller sizes. Especially new jeans!
While we were out I picked up a pair of Nike Reax Run 5 shoes. I’m not a big shoe person (you’ll find me barefoot or in flip flops more often than not) so I just picked out something comfortable. And I went with Nike because the slogan “Just Do It!” really spoke to me. 😉
Until last week, the poor babes had never even been out of the box. Well over a month they sat there quietly, trying to get my attention every time I walked by. I ignored them of course, but in the back of my mind I knew I was going to have to break them out and start putting some miles on them.
It’s interesting to me how disciplined I am with my Low Carb Diet, yet seem to have such a hard time finding the motivation to work out – or get in a regular exercise routine.
Perhaps it’s because I have no choice but to eat several times a day. That makes it pretty easy since all I have to do is choose which foods to eat.
Exercise is a different story though – you actually have to make time for it. It’s something you have to add in to your already busy schedule.
Last week I decided to suck it up, break out the Nike’s, and get committed to working out daily. Every day, even if it’s just a half hour walk with my Great Dane.
I made it two days in a row – and then nothing in the last 3 days at all. 😛
Why is this so darn difficult?!
I know I enjoy a good walk with Slim. I also love aerobic classes at the center. And I have a Gazelle right here in my office that I can use anytime I please! I know I’m not alone in this. We all have good intentions, right? It makes me wonder what stops us from doing the things we know we want & need to do…
Vision helps. Knowing WHY you want/need to do something. For me, it’s less about weight loss (which is happening with the low carb diet alone), and more about toning. I have a vision for how I want to look and feel, and adding in exercise is the way to achieve that result.
Of course, if you want some REAL motivation, stand in front of a mirror nekkid. 😛
So this is it. This is my written commitment to MOVE every single day. Whether it’s 20 minutes on the Gazelle, a 2-mile walk with my Dane, or a local class. Just something. Anything. Fitting too, because today is actually the 15th Annual “Family Health & Fitness Day USA”. It’s held on the last Saturday in September every year.
But the only thing I’m working out at the moment is my fingers, LOL, so I’m going to hop off the computer and go walk a mile in my new shoes. 😉
And in addition to a mile or a few in my real shoes, a nice long walk is a good opportunity to “walk a mile in my shoes” and get some thinking done about life, goals and direction…
Lynn – I tell you what I find handy when you just want to do 20 mins of exercise. It’s pretty good fun to bop around on with a bit of music on, and (importantly for me!) I can actually fit it in a tiny London flat… It’s a bosu…and even just walking on it tones your legs up a bit.
Have a look at the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHNUQWxuvM&feature=related
You can get it from Amazon….
I find that if I just put it in the middle of the room when I’m working, it’s really easy just to jump on it for five minutes whenever you are taking a break…at least it gets your moving. And you can wear your new shoes on it if you haven’t got them too muddy yet!
Suzi
That looks really neat Suzi π I already have so many things I’ve bought though, that I haven’t really used – so I’m resolved to using what I have before buying anything else, lol. One of those is a great Yoga DVD that I really want to try out!
Lynn, I feel your pain. As I’ve told you before, I don’t like exercise, but I DO like how it makes me look and feel. I like activities more than exercise. I’d rather cut down a tree and haul off the wood or go hiking or kickboxing or playing water volleyball than to stand in front of a TV set and jump up and down for 30 minutes π I applaud you for committing to moving in some form or fashion every day. Good for you.
You could post what type of exercise/activity you did every day on your blog. At least until you got into the habit of daily exercise. That might help you stick to your guns.
Go get ’em!
Thank you Karon. You looked fabulous when I saw you in Atlanta last month, btw! I do prefer a good walk or going to a class to working out alone, so that’s where I need to focus. Slim enjoys the walks too, which encourages me to get out. I love seeing his happy face! π
Thank you, ma’am. Slim is a cutie and I’m sure he’ll be a great workout partner.
OK Lynn, I’m up for the challenge – I’ll DO SOME MOVEMENT everyday! I’m only 127 pounds but I’m not as tall as you. I look and feel better when I’m more active and weighing in around 120. I’ve been doing your low carb and have dropped 5 pounds already so I’m almost halfway there. Getting my ‘arse’ in gear again and backing away from the computer should make that extra 7 pounds drop off faster. I’ll keep you posted!
Sherie
Congrats on the weight loss, Sherie! π What do you prefer for exercise? Do you have a good place to walk?
Love it, love it, love it! Walking a mile in your shoes is just what I need/want, as well.
I’m more a “gonna do” than an “am doing/have done” sort in this situation. But, I’m hoping that your motivation will rub off onto me so that I start to see results soon. π
I don’t especially like the word “exercise” but when I call it “moving” or “grooving” or something similar I am inclined to see results.
So I’m adding me to this challenge as well.
It helps to have so many friends working toward the same goal! I can so relate to the “gonna do” – that’s been me for months now -lol. My daughter likes Zumba so I may give that a try, though it sounds more high impact than I prefer. I think I need to start slow, with a good brisk morning walk or something…
This is a very good question, Lynn!
I struggled with this for a long time (a year?) before I was able to get in a regular exercise habit and I can’t even blame lack of time for that. Two things that helped me was getting and using a pedometer (still use it every day) and making things really easy – if working out 30 minutes is out, I’d work out 10 minutes or at least put my shoes on etc…
At the moment I don’t need to motivate myself to exercise. I just do it. π
You should see ME nekkid: you’d run!
That’s encouraging, that it DOES eventually become habit and get easier. I just added your blog to my Google Reader. Your last few posts are great, and really got me motivated this morning!
I know for me, when I started what I call “Power-Walking” (walking at different paces to get to the proper target heart rate. I wore a heart rate monitor btw)…..If you just walk without ever getting your heart rate where it needs to be, there is not much purpose in it…. if your goal is fitness and weight loss.
So, it was a STRUGGLE the first few days. I could hardly walk 10 minutes without coughing fits and being out of breath. I did not think that I could do it consistently. I felt like total CRAP the first week.
I only needed to lose a 20-30 pounds, but my lungs were the ones that were more out of shape than the rest of my body.
Anyway, 10 minutes became 20 minutes within a couple of weeks and soon after became an hour. I ended up feeling so much energy and stress relief that on some days I would power walk for 2-3 hours with an MP3 player and just get lost in my thoughts.
No more coughing fits or being out of breath. I lost 30 pounds in 8-10 weeks of power walking. More than that, I actually started craving the endorphin release and would actually get upset and anxious if I could not walk. So, for backup I have an indoor Gazelle type thing.
Congrats on your resolve, and your weight loss!! Very encouraging. I’m most interested in toning and in building core strength right now, since the weight is coming off by eating low carb. I have a lower back injury and my goal is to strengthen my core to support my back more. And of course tone my legs, thights, arms etc so I look my best π
I had a great walk yesterday, and am starting to get in more of a routine with it – though still working out the best time of day to work in a good spot of exercise.
Just wanted to check in and see how you guys are doing this week?? π
Yeah, I find I have to switch up my routine every now and then especially when the seasons change. Dark and cold are my least fav combination so working out in the mornings during late fall and winter don’t set well with me. I will switch to afternoon workouts then go back when spring arrives.
Does Slim behave while you’re walking? Or does he jerk you all over the place?
He does π I use a Halti, which is like a Gentle Leader. I went through several products before I found that one and it actually *works*. Love it! He used to really pull, but the Halti puts a stop to that – so now we have nice brisk walks together. Of course, I let him make sniff stops on the way while I’m getting warmed up, but we walk fast the rest of the way. He loves getting out!
Hey Lynn,
My best strategy for walking is get a dog or use the buddy system. I don’t have a dog any more (hoping that will change soon), but I do have a neighbor that does, and we walk every day.
Every day she rings my door bell even if I’m not up for it. And every day her dog is nagging her for a walk. It’s worked really well for us for over ten years.
Getting new shoes and some cute walking clothes helps a lot too π
How fun! There’s nothing like a good walking or workout buddy π I need to dig through my local friend list and find one! In the meantime, Slim makes an AWESOME walking buddy. π