Run

I did what I said and I said what I meant, a runner is truthful 100%.
I went out for a run tonight - just a short little 15 min one.
I was very pleased with myself that I actually went out and did it, although it was a bit of a struggle to convince myself.  In order to make sure I went, I entered "Run 4pm" on the calendar on my new iPhone (trying to transfer some of the enthusiasm I have about my new toy to enthusiams about getting out for a run).

I'm wondering if I should do my running inside now that it's starting to get cooler outside.  I was fine with my limbs being a little chilled, but my lungs really burn when I inhale too much cold air.
I tried to breathe in through my nose (to warm up the air) and out through my mouth, but since I'm not in fabulous shape I need a lot of breathe and it's not efficient enough to breathe through the nose.

I have frittered much of the day away on TV shows and iPhones, so I'm going to have a shower, make some food and do some studying tonight.

Struggling

So this week has not been great in terms of exercise.  I keep putting it off and I have also been not eating as well as I would like.
The thing is, I do feel so much better when I exercise, so it's crazy that I would keep putting it off.

Today I plan to go for a run.  My run the other day made me feel really good and unlike Edmonton, there isn't snow in Toronto yet.
I will post later to say how my run went!!

Some Good, Some Not So Good..... But Not Done Yet!

So last week and this week I took advantage of my "technical" goal that I only have to exercise 5 days a week (although I'd like to do some every day).
Last week I skipped Thursday and Saturday and this week I skipped Sunday and Monday.  So basically in the last 5 days I only did 1 day of exercise.

But on Friday I did have a new experience - HULA HOOPING CLASS with my friends!  Man, it is a seriously good workout for the abs and upper thighs.  Some of us were even bruised at the end of it.

Also, today I knew that I needed to get back on the wagon (both because it would make me feel better AND because I knew that Yellie would send me a "firm" reminder message soon...) so I got up early..... and went for a run!! It was only about 15-20min but I'm really happy that I went out and did it.
Right now I'm stretching and using the tennis ball to massage out my foot because if I start running more often I don't want it to affect my plantar fasciitis (my physiotherapist is not thrilled with the idea of me taking up running)

I have been inspired recently to run because it seems that all of my friends are good at it and I'm jealous of them.  In particular, my friend Vixen took up running this last year and her dedication has been stellar.  I want to become a part of this running "culture".

One Day Off One Day On

On Wednesday I didn't really get my exercise done, but I made up for that by waking up for some 6:30am yoga on my birthday (Thursday).
The yoga studio down the street from me emailed me saying that on your birthday yoga is free!!
But I was busy from 8am straight through to 9pm so the only time I could go was 6:30-7:30am. 
I'm not going to lie, I almost didn't go when I woke up - but I told myself it would be a good way to start my 27th birthday. 
My inner thighs are KILLING me.

House Guest

The last few days we have had a house guest staying with us, so when I get home to do my late night exercise I can't do my DVDs since my living room is currently her bedroom.
But that doesn't stop me! I have been taking my weights into my bedroom and doing some strength work and lunges before bed.
I haven't missed a day yet!

One Week of Goal Accomplished - And Going Strong

I have now completed a week of my goal!  There are 7 stickers on my exercise chart.
When I made the goal I said that I wanted to aim to do it everyday but the official goal was to do at least 5 days/week (to give myself a little wiggle room so that I don't feel bad if I miss one day)
But so far I haven't had to use that wiggle room!  I have done at least a little exercise every day and it feels awesome.
I bought another DVD today (a cardio one) so that I have some options to change it up.  I just did it for the first time and I'm seriously sweating. :)

Kickin' Cardio

I'm continuing my streak of getting some exercise in every day!
Yesterday I went to this class that I really enjoy called Kickin' Cardio.
Exercise is so much better when you're doing exercises that you really enjoy doing, and I really love to punch & kick!
I have also been doing my workouts at home, although the other day I just did it freestyle (without the DVD because you have to change it up once in a while).

Late Night Workouts

I have met my goal for 4 days in a row, but I've started putting it off til just before bed.  I'm glad that I'm getting the workout in, but I want to do it sometime during the day, not put it off and put it off til it's 11:30pm.
Anyway, here I go.  Strapping on the shoes.

Ouchies

I have done the 30 day shred for 3 days consecutively now...... my arms really freaking hurt.
But a mini-success: I put off exercising this morning, but I still did it tonight before I went to bed!!
Now I just have to keep this up for the rest of the month!!  I have my chart written up in my book and I get to put stickers on each day that I complete.

Free Weights vs Machines

I have been sucessful with my new goal for the past two days!  Before now, I hadn't done the DVD in a while though, so my arms are DEFINATELY feeling it.  Ouch. I'm looking forward to this increasing my strength and endurance a bit.

The difference between free weights and strength machines is kind of odd.... at the gym I can usually do the 20-35 lb level pretty well for all arm exercises, but I'm using two 8 pound free weights at home (so 16 lb total) and it HURTS! 

November Goal

I have been putting off exercise (except biking to school) for the last several days.
 But luckily, because of this blog I have still had exercise plans in mind, whereas before I may completely ignore it.
Also, due to this blog my dear personal trainer friend Yellie has given me the get-off-your-butt nudge (thank you!) which is exactly why I wanted to start this in the first place - accountability!

I have decided to make a goal for November that will lay down a baseline of activity so that I will get some exercise in most days of the week even if I don't get into the gym.

 NOVEMBER GOAL:
 My goal is to start every morning by doing one of my Jillian Michaels DVDs.  I'm not a huge exercise DVD person, but I do like Jillian and she makes me work.
I would like to aim to do this every morning, but I will make my official goal to do 5 mornings a week.
Sometimes if your goal has no wiggle room at all, it is too easy to feel discouraged if it doesn't happen.

I have started this goal as of today (I am about to throw on my exercise gear as I type this).

Days 5-7

This weekend has been all about studying, laundry, gigging and more studying.
 The first couple of days were exerciseless and today I knew that I wouldn't have time for the gym so I made a goal to walk down to school instead of taking the subway.
 I used to walk a lot more when I first moved to Toronto because I didn't have a good bike.  Now even though I use my bike a lot I feel like it's probably less exercise since it doesn't take as long to get places and I can coast a lot.
 So it felt good to walk today!  Tomorrow I will plan to get some cardio work done.

Day 4

So after my lack of cardio yesterday I set the goal that I would absolutely get some done today.
After a long day of studying for my dementia midterm at school, I left at about 8:30pm to head to the gym.  Usually, I would want to head back home and treat myself to a TV show or two.  But I knew that I wanted to be able to post that I had done my workout.

I'm also experimenting with modifying my perspective about going to the gym.  At first I was thinking "I have to go to the gym" (which doesn't sound fun), then I was thinking "I'm looking forward to accomplishing my goal so that I can post it on my blog" (which is better), then I arrived at the novel thought: "I'm going to TREAT myself to a session at the gym".  I thought about how nice I'd feel when my muscles were all warmed up and blood flowing.

I had a potential roadblock on my way to the gym - in Toronto we have streetcars.  These streetcars run on tracks on the street.  For any bike (but especially for a road bike like mine with thin little tires) it can be easy to get caught in the tracks if you don't watch out.  I have always been very cautious about tracks, but today as I was passing a car parked in the bike lane I fell into the tracks and completely wiped out.  It wasn't that bad, just a skinned and stiff knee, skinned knuckles, jolted body.  After I had gotten over the shock of it, my first thought was "I'm still going to go to the gym.... and this is going to be a HARDCORE story to post on my blog!"

At the gym I ran 14 laps (2 km), taking it easy on my slightly stiff right knee.  I did various weight machines and I kept track of the amount of weight I lifted for each so that I can gradually increase the amount that I lift.  I also did some Pilates 100s, leg lifts and stretches.

Day 3

Goals:
 -eat more vegetables at the potluck today (don't overload on carbs) (accomplished!)
-drink water (accomplished!)
-do some cardio at the gym (not accomplished)

Today my success was not letting my lack of gym-going sending me into a downward spiral of laziness.  I was at my friend's house getting my hair done, and it went much later than expected and the gym was closing.  Instead of focusing on guilt that I've "ruined my whole new routine and it's only day 3!!" I realize that these things happen and I am absolutely 100% going to go to the gym tomorrow.
The fact that I still wrote my blog entry (and didn't try to pretend this day didn't exist ) is a good sign!
I still had some healthy eating successes and biked to school.

First Two Days

I am starting to make mini daily goals so that I can stay focused on living a healthier lifestyle.  These mini goals are good because I set them first thing in the morning and I don't have to keep a million "rules" in my head, just a couple of things.

Day One:   Goals:
-no sugar (accomplished!)
-don't eat out (accomplished!)
-break a sweat once in the day (worked for  20 minutes with free weights, leg lifts and   3 sets of Pilates 100s) (also rode my bike to school and back)

 Day Two: Goals:
 -no caffeine (accomplished!)
-limit sugar (accomplished!)
-25 pushups, 3 sets of Pilates 100s, 25 squats (accomplished!!) (also rode my bike to school and back)

I know that these goals aren't necessarily huge ones, but I wanted to start a habit of doing at least a little bit of exercise in the day, even if my schedule is crazy busy (like it is now with school, studying for midterms, babysitting, etc...)