Let's get Physical...Physical!
I have now reached week 6 of the 16 week Prevent program.This is the phase that begins to include activity. My Prevent coach has inspired me to make a detailed plan of attack to get moving. Apparently (as if I don't know this all too well) it's too easy to make excuses if you make a tentative plan to put the petal to the metal.
I could make excuses all day in fact. "My kids didn't sleep well last night" (that's a good one cause I have a baby, so I really am up 3 times a night). "My schedule is too full"-with doctors appointments for the kids, sitters, gymnastics, meal planning, grocery shopping and so on. I was challenged to think of where I could realistically add a short workout. My answer-3 days a week after work (Park and Stroller days) and 3 days a week at 6 am (just me, my squishy blue mat, and 3 extremely fit girls bopping around on my TV screen).
Wait, did I just say 6 am? As in 6 o'clock in the am? After a night of ups and downs to check on my precious cherub?! I must be crazy. As long as I'm making a full commitment to my shiny new list of life choices, I might as well let it extend to my butt (or gut) busting aspirations.
Friday I got up at 6 am. I rolled out of bed and searched my Smart TV for YouTube videos that could get me moving. I found a great series on POPSUGARfitness and tried my best to keep up with the instructor. I was pleasantly surprised at how this went.
I started with sleep in my eyes and moving at sloth-like speed. Then we did some stretches. That got my blood flowing. I felt good. I did modified versions of anything that was a little too physically demanding as they were so helpfully displayed by one of the exercise minions behind the instructor.
By the time I had finished the cool down and the video was over-I was full of energy. I had those great endorphins I've missed so dearly pumping through my body, and I was ready to take on the day. I thought to my self-I could get use to this feeling. Another added benefit of putting the work in that morning was my will to make the calories burned count! No way was I going to throw it all away on the box of donuts that greeted my in the break room that morning. It made my choice to abstain an easy one. That combined with 2 weeks of sugar detoxification (Update to follow).
I've been finding ways to get extra activity in for a week and a half now and I'm starting to feel stronger. Strong enough to move forward on what is sure to be a long but worthy journey.
Here are a few more things I've learned about staying in motion:
Move for 2 minutes every 30-I set a 30 minute alarm on my phone to remind me to get up and move. If you have a sedentary job like I do this can sometimes be necessary. Stretch, jog in place, do a wall sit...heck do 10 sit ups or 10 push ups-just do something. Your body will thank you for it.
Move in the morning-If you can find a way to do your primary workout int he mornings you will elevate your energy and boost your metabolism for the remainder of the day.
Do something fun-If you enjoy what you are doing you're more likely to keep it up. Calorie burning doesn't have to be boring. Hike a trail, play Ultimate Frisbee, take your kids to go feed the ducks and walk around the park, just make sure you aren't dreading it.
Hydrate-In order to avoid feeling off your game the day after you workout replace the water you lost. We all know about this, but if you're like me and are bad at remembering to drink water, this can be a good reminder.
I could make excuses all day in fact. "My kids didn't sleep well last night" (that's a good one cause I have a baby, so I really am up 3 times a night). "My schedule is too full"-with doctors appointments for the kids, sitters, gymnastics, meal planning, grocery shopping and so on. I was challenged to think of where I could realistically add a short workout. My answer-3 days a week after work (Park and Stroller days) and 3 days a week at 6 am (just me, my squishy blue mat, and 3 extremely fit girls bopping around on my TV screen).
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| When I hear Jazzercise this is still the image I get. |
Wait, did I just say 6 am? As in 6 o'clock in the am? After a night of ups and downs to check on my precious cherub?! I must be crazy. As long as I'm making a full commitment to my shiny new list of life choices, I might as well let it extend to my butt (or gut) busting aspirations.
Friday I got up at 6 am. I rolled out of bed and searched my Smart TV for YouTube videos that could get me moving. I found a great series on POPSUGARfitness and tried my best to keep up with the instructor. I was pleasantly surprised at how this went.
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| I'd like to say I have cool weights like this, but I couldn't find mine so I grabbed a Snow Globe off the mantel! Whatever works, right? |
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| This is one of those cool moves I still can't do. Time to watch the minion! |
By the time I had finished the cool down and the video was over-I was full of energy. I had those great endorphins I've missed so dearly pumping through my body, and I was ready to take on the day. I thought to my self-I could get use to this feeling. Another added benefit of putting the work in that morning was my will to make the calories burned count! No way was I going to throw it all away on the box of donuts that greeted my in the break room that morning. It made my choice to abstain an easy one. That combined with 2 weeks of sugar detoxification (Update to follow).
I've been finding ways to get extra activity in for a week and a half now and I'm starting to feel stronger. Strong enough to move forward on what is sure to be a long but worthy journey.
Here are a few more things I've learned about staying in motion:
Move for 2 minutes every 30-I set a 30 minute alarm on my phone to remind me to get up and move. If you have a sedentary job like I do this can sometimes be necessary. Stretch, jog in place, do a wall sit...heck do 10 sit ups or 10 push ups-just do something. Your body will thank you for it.
Move in the morning-If you can find a way to do your primary workout int he mornings you will elevate your energy and boost your metabolism for the remainder of the day.
Do something fun-If you enjoy what you are doing you're more likely to keep it up. Calorie burning doesn't have to be boring. Hike a trail, play Ultimate Frisbee, take your kids to go feed the ducks and walk around the park, just make sure you aren't dreading it.
Hydrate-In order to avoid feeling off your game the day after you workout replace the water you lost. We all know about this, but if you're like me and are bad at remembering to drink water, this can be a good reminder.
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