NO EXCUSE FOR NOT EXERCISING

No Excuse for Not Exercising Anymore

Ok so I’m that kid. The one that doesn’t like gym exercise and avoided it at all possible costs. If it was secret exercise that was fine; I played on a baseball team for years and was the catcher – I had thunder thighs of steel. Growing up I realized the importance of exercise and have had every gym membership that exists, but nothing kept me motivated.

 The most fit I’ve ever felt in my life was when I did Karate for a few years until now; which was fun, except when we had to do pushups and run laps and all that not so fun exercise stuff.

I could make up any excuse in the book to avoid it, right from when I was younger. I was that kid during gym class that had to go to the bathroom every time we had to do laps. My poor male teachers they heard it was that time of the month too many times in a month. But like I said any excuse to get out of the those runs. As I grew older, it was too much homework, an exam on the weekend, partied too much the night before- whereas many of my classmates used exercise as an outlet to manage their stress or to make themselves feel better. I didn’t get that how could running a 5k run make you feel more energized, release stress, it really did not make any sense. As a mom I’ve tried to set an example of healthy choices, movement and being outside, however when it comes to me moving well let’s just say there’s always dishes to do, laundry to be done and things to be organized. My exercise up to this point as a mother has always been mini races with my kids and lots of stretching on the floor.

Well this has all changed now. Who knew my classmates were right that it releases stress. I look forward to that time by myself and feel guilty when I don’t get to exercise. Now here’s the thing, as a mom of two with two jobs, time is limited for exercise and it is a real excuse only I’m not accepting it anymore. So my kids and I now do baby yoga, I have found 20 minute videos online that I take time out of my day to do, the YMCA has been a wonderful resource, child minding and wonderful kid programs while I work out. And last but not least my favorite on those days that it just doesn’t fit – and sometimes it will seem like it won’t I run on the spot while I brush my teeth, do squats on my bathroom break, jog from one place to another in the house and my latest, laundry by stairs – so I live on the 11^th floor, and today I decided that instead of taking the elevator to move my laundry from wash to dry I took the time to go down the stairs and then back up; something that would have never crossed my mind in the past.

When you’re making lifestyle changes all these new little habits count, especially when a two hour exercise just doesn’t fit into the day. I have learned via various coaches during this challenge that exercise doesn’t have to be done all at once that it can be accumulated throughout the day, which is exactly what I have found fits. I even have my eyes set on a 5K run/walk this summer. No more excuses for not exercising from this girl.

 What do you do to fit exercise into your day?

 

 

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS THAT KEEP ME MOTIVATED!

It's the small things that make me smile and keep me motivated!

 

Since starting the RESET challenge I have noticed small things that keep me motivated, keep me positive and keep me on track. I want to share them with you. These things have empowered me, and the personal growth and learning that has happened as a result of this challenge is incredible

 

- flax bread and salads on my grandma's dinner table

 

- my four year old telling me at Walmart that I need to buy hand weights, if not he is buying

them for me for my birthday

 

- the guilt I feel when I don't exercise

 

- the "powpows" I receive from my husband when I try and cheat or reach for something that stretches the limits

 

- the compliments, not just about physical changes but about the change in my energy that has occurred

 

- the willpower I feel when I see a snack table at someone's house or in the staff room

 

- looking at the flyers, I know it sounds ridiculous but the pride in opening the flyer and not being swayed by the best deal (which usually comes in a box) but by being interested in the fresh fruits and proteins that are on special that week

 

- and of course the words of encouragement that I receive from so many different people.

 

Thanks for putting a smile on my face. I feel happy, healthy and that I have made positive changes to my lifestyle, which have had positive affects on my health, my body and my mind.

 

What keeps you motivated?

Mind over Matter…

So this lifestyle change has been a little bit of a mind over matter game. I could grab the donut in the box from the lunchroom, or I could stick to it say no to the donut and know in the long run it’s better for me.
When approached with a challenge I’ve been silently reviewing the options.

-         Donut in the lunchroom

-         Snack tables full of chips and dip

-         Fast food while on the run

-         Grandma’s scalloped potatoes and apple crisp

-         Buffet Brunch

The list could go on of the hurdles that I have encountered. Really it’s a game – mind over matter – satisfied for the moment or healthier for a lifetime.

Some strategies I have used

-         Removed myself from the situation (left the lunchroom)

-         Ate my lunch first

-         Used the mall strategy: leave it and if I’m still thinking about it the next day then treat myself (hasn’t happened yet)

-         Modified the cravings to fit my lifestyle. Best example – taco night with a twist

Everyday we encounter road blocks, hurdles, speed bumps. What strategies do you use to overcome them?

THE CHALLENGE

I have taken on a huge challenge this year in 2013. I’m making it my year. As many of you know 2012 was a year of transitions and change, and as a result a year of reflection and goal setting. There were changes of jobs, houses, countries, cultures and well the list could go on. After a year of transtition and accomplishing quite a bit I’m making 2013 my year. I’ve decided to create a lifestyle change for myself and my family. I realized, health wise, that up until 2012, my lifestyle hasn’t been the healthiest, though I have tried being on a multitude of waves of healthy lifestyle tracks, tried diets and have finally realized that if I continued this rollercoaster of facades I would also continue to be overweight, not have energy for my children and cut my life short.

Quite frankly.. I wanna be around for a while, have a lot of things I want to do and want to enjoy it with my kids and family. So here it is Lifestyle Change 101. I promised myself that this was my year, and for all who know me well I don’t often yell it out there but have silent goals that I want to meet, and eventually do. Well this is one that I’ve never been able to accomplish on my own, so I’m saying it out loud to keep me motivated, accountable, to look for support and I’m going to achieve this one and maybe inspire someone else to do the same.

So to begin I joined the USANA  RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation. A 90 day, life transforming challenge, which starts with a 5 day reset kit to RESET your insulin levels, take away carb cravings and cleanse the body. It then leads into the transform phase, which allows you a little more flexibility in what you’re eating as long as you stick to a Low Glycemic Diet. So what the heck is that, you ask? Well it’s quite different then the See-Food Pick a Diet I was on before. That’s right I would see food, pick at it all day long and not realize how much I was eating.

Now I’m 3 weeks in and have been inspired. I dreamed of being on the treadmill last night and woke up with a huge desire to go to the gym. The other day as I was on the treadmill a thought snuck into the back of my mind, running a 5K wouldn’t be that disastrous if I trained. Trust me these are not thoughts that ever occurred to me before, and snuggling under a blanket with something to drink, a snack and a good movie were always a higher priority then ever going to the gym. Not now, of course balance is necessary but I’m so intrinsically motivated – it’s not a diet this time, it’s a lifestyle change. Though the 90 days will end, the “diet” doesn’t because I will have learned new habits that will continue.

What’s the best part?  There’s no counting calorie, there’s no wondering what I will eat, there’s not the burden of doing a clean sweep to my fridge. It’s been so simple…