Adding Exercise to Your Life: The Fitness Challenge
I have a dirty little secret to share with all of you: I don’t exercise. Ever. It’s probably been about five years since I really did anything physical.
With each passing year, however, I know that I should really do something to change the way I behave (I’m a pretty severe workaholic. I bet those of you who know me are surprised I admitted it, but it’s true!) and take care of my body better… because while I’m kind of thin, I also get winded after a couple of flights of stairs. Not cool and definitely not healthy.
It’s definitely time for a change, and I’m ready to make it. After all, I want to start out the next month right! So, I have a proposition for those of you reading here today: at least one of you has to love working out (or you do it frequently enough to know a lot about it).
I’d love to hear your tips, tricks and favorite workout techniques. Since I know less than nothing (I’ve only ever worked out for unhealthy reasons, and I don’t want to do that again!) about fitness and health, I figured there were no better women to come to about this than our readers and friends here at The Fashionable Housewife.
So, what’s your favorite type of exercise? How do you refuel after you’re done (since I’m pretty sure my dinner of Goldfish and Thin Mints probably isn’t one I should keep pursuing)? When do you find time to fit it into your busy, child-filled schedule? And, more than anything else, how do you stay motivated?
If we can get my tush into gear, I’m hoping that I can prove that even someone who is fitness-averse like me can get into shape and be healthy!
Want to join the challenge and stay updated with what’s going on in my new attempts at fitness? Want to change your lifestyle along with me? Email me at jaime@thefashionablehousewife.com. We can offer each other support and motivation!
To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.
I dont love working out- but I do love how I feel after! That is the only thing that gets me to the gym, knowing I will feel so much more energized, productinve, and just overall good! I am going to be hitting it hard this month so I will be right along side you! I am also starting Sensa! Wish me luck! And good luck to you!
Cassandra
I’m a huge Pilates fan, but it has to be done in a class and not on video. It works ALL the muscles in an intense way like the gym, but in a setting more like a yoga class. It is centered around knowing your own body so there is nothing better for beginners than a class like that. I’m also big into walking but that could be more a product of my environment (living in London where walking is second nature). As for eating, the only thing I really follow is moderation. Everything is fine in moderation. Eat some protein, eat some carbs, eat some fat, and make it a fairly balanced mix and you’ll be fine.
I love working out! I work out seven times a week – once on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday, and twice on Tuesday and Thursday. I divide it between swimming, running, and biking. I always listen to my iPod – that makes it go so much faster! I have a playlist of uptempo songs, in fact. When I’m biking, I’ll watch TV shows on my iPod – right now it’s season 1 of the Cleaner. That helps it fly by. My workouts usually last about 30 – 60 minutes depending on my mood/energy level/motivation. I would suggest making it fun in order to motivate yourself – go to your local rec center (usually pretty cheap) or gym, or find a running buddy, or make your iPod be your buddy. Good luck!
Oh Lady… we have some talking to do. This is one thing I do well! Really well! It is all about maximizing your time and not having to be there more than 3-4 days tops. I swear to you I am not joking. Women are so silly when it comes to working out it can get way out of control and we think we have to be working out everyday….. I would go NUTS. I have a book you should read. I also have my own advice on top of that…..
I prefer exercising outdoors rather than in a gym or on some machine. I typically go for biking, brisk walking, and the like.