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).
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, October 22, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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.
-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.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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...)
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...)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)