I know so many people who have made a New Year's resolution to either eat healthier, exercise, exercise more, compete in different physical activities, start to be healthy, loose weight, gain muscle, bench press more, etc. All having to do with being healthy. I think it's great. I wish all of them luck. I think it can happen, as long as you try.
photo found here
I joined the YMCA one year ago, on January 1st, not because of a resolution, but because they were waiving the joining fee! I am happy to say that in the last year, exercising has become part of my life. I miss it when I don't go. I feel guilty when I'm not there. I try to go at least three times a week. Sometimes I only make it there two times. Some weeks I'm there five times. I can honestly say I love it! I don't set crazy expectations for myself and I feel like that is part of the reason I enjoy it so much. I'm not on a scale weekly figuring out how I did or what I need to do better. I know I still have work to do, but I go and I just keep going.
photo found here
So, this year I decided to "turn it up a notch". I guess you can file this under "resolution" since I'm making this change at the beginning of the year. I have decided to register for five classes a week. I have also decided to follow the T25 (more info here) workout program. I heard about T25 from someone I met at the Y and I love it. Well, I guess love is a strong word since sometimes when I finish a workout I feel like puking! So, maybe T25 and I have a love/hate relationship? Yes. That is closer to the truth. Some of you who follow my private Facebook page saw this little snippet of my workout plan and I've decided to share it here, with more detail.
Another reason I've decided to do more is because of a little something called "Tough Mudder"...don't know what that is? Click here. Along with a few 5k's and some other "novelty events" the tough mudder is on my calendar this year. Eeeekkkk! I'm super excited but even more scared! Wish me luck.
So, this is my plan. Follow along if you'd like. Pick something from my schedule and let me know if you did it. Ask questions for ideas of what you can do if you don't have these exact programs available to you.
My point: GET MOVING!
So on Monday and Friday I take Zumba. For those of you who don't know, this is a fun dance class. It is so easy. You don't have to be an award winning Broadway dancer to get this class. The moves are simple and you will catch on so quick because the instructor will repeat them over and over again throughout one song. I have taken this class with men and women alike. People who are in their teens to those in their 60's, maybe even their 70's, let's just say I'm pretty sure some of the women I've had in my classes could be someones Grandma! At the YMCA, they turn the lights off and have rope lights around the room and a disco ball in the corner. I think it's to make newbies feel like no one is staring at them. It's welcoming, really, and not intimidating AT ALL.
Tuesday and Thursday I take what is called Strength and Resistance. I have an awesome instructor and her classes are usually wait listed. However, this session, I'm in! We use weights, a step (like in step aerobics, but not for the same purpose) and a mat on the floor. So we are up and down a lot, she gets us moving right away with a quick warm up. Then we just follow along with whatever she asks us to do. We may do lunges, crunches, squats, v-sit extensions, burpees, push ups, overhead presses, triceps extensions, bicep curls, etc. I like this class because it's always something new. (In the summer, I will substitute one of my strength and resistance classes for Boot camp because I love that class, as long as it's outside. I don't know why but I just do better outside during Boot camp.)
Wednesday is my "easy day". I take Yoga. It's actually called Power Vinyasa Yoga and this is the first time I'm taking this type of Yoga, so I'll have to report back on this one and let you know how it is!
Then Monday through Friday, after we (my kids and I) get home from the Y, I make the kids lunch and while they are eating I set up T25 in my basement. I turn on all my electronics, put in the correct disk for that day and pause it right at the beginning so it's all set to go. (Sometimes my kids don't nap very long so every minute counts!) Then I put them down for their naps, head downstairs and complete my T25 workout.
Again, if you're not familiar, this program was designed by Shaun T from Insanity and Hip Hop Abs. It is LITERALLY 25 minutes. That's it! Who doesn't have 25 minutes?? Even if one of my children wake up five minutes into my workout, I will continue until I am done. Unless they are crying/screaming at the top of their lungs, there is no harm in leaving them in their beds for 20 minutes. Moms and Dads need "me time". This can be yours! If you don't have the time during the day, 25 minutes before you go to bed isn't that much to ask for. Neither is setting your alarm clock 25 minutes earlier in the morning. <----said alarm="" also="" anymore="" back="" doesn="" even="" for="" girl="" goes="" her="" how="" know="" me.="" nbsp="" on="" p="" report="" set="" t="" the="" this="" to="" who="" will="">
to do list found here (other great free printable lists included on this site)
Here are some tips:
1. First and foremost, put your workouts on a calendar/to-do list. This works for more than one reason. A) You have planned to workout and put it in your schedule so there is no reason to skip it. B) You will see it on paper so you know when you did workout and when you will workout. There is no wondering when you'll give yourself a day off and when you'll be working yourself to the core. C) You can look back and see how far you've come. Is there anything more satisfying than crossing things off of a list? No. No there is not.
2. Give yourself some time off. It's important. Just as our bodies need exercise, they also need rest. Get sleep and drinks lots of water!
3. Pick activities you know you can do. Why push yourself overboard when you're just trying to accomplish a simple goal? If you haven't exercised in 20 years, don't try to run a marathon next week. However, if you are conditioned and just completed your 100th 5k, go for a half marathon. Why not? You need a new goal to work towards!
4. Cross off your workouts as you complete them. As mentioned in #1, this is so satisfying. I love to cross things off a list. Heck, sometimes I even write things on my to-do list that I've already done, just so I could cross them off. Kidding! (Sort of.)
5. If you miss a day decide ahead of time if you will be playing catch up or just skip that day and move on. There is no sense dwelling on the past. Life happens, things come up. As long as you don't miss the last 100 days, you can allow yourself a pass now and then. I actually just experienced this the past two days. I was sick and there was no way I was going to be able to make it to the gym or to complete T25 at home. Yes, these were days #3 and #4 on my new plan. No. I'm not going to make myself make them up. I'm moving forward. If I get an extra workout in this weekend, great. If not, I'll be making up for it over the next 9 weeks. If I feel like taking an unscheduled day off, I'll look back at my calendar and remember that I already had two of those. (T25 is a 10 week program and I have every intention of sticking with it for 10 weeks.)
So, for those of you who made those resolutions, I'm right there with ya! Let's be each others shoulders to lean on. Check back with me if you start any of these programs and let me know what you think. Ask me questions. Comment below with your progress. What resolutions did you make this year?
PS: I'm not a doctor or a fitness coach, not even close. All workout plans should be discussed with your physician.
Linking up to House of Rose
Looking forward to competing in our 5k's again this year!! Shamrock Shuffle will be here before we know it!
ReplyDeleteIt will, which also means your birthday is just around the corner!
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