The CMAs just went off the air. Honestly, they gave me motivation. Watching that event made me want to put on yoga pants and go for a nice brisk walk. Mind you, it is after 10:00 pm. My husband won't be home until 11:30 or so, so I do have time. I really should get in bed though. Oh, what the heck? I am just going to go for it. I am sure my sweet little dog would love to come, but I don't want any excuses for slowing down and not giving it my all.
I guess it is a really good thing that I live in a tiny town that is pretty safe. Maybe I will make it back home before anyone notices that I am gone. There is no time like the present!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Back Again?
So...I started a new job this spring and got a little side tracked. I really didn't mean to, but it definitely took priority in my life. This spring I went from working online from the comfort of my home and setting my own daily schedule to clocking in before 7:30 AM every weekday. I am not a morning person, unless I have stayed up all night long and decide to go for a nice morning swim or walk. This getting up, dressed, and driving 30 miles really took it out of me at first.
Sleeping is my favorite hobby. I have a nice comfy bed and really enjoy getting out of bed and feeling well-rested. I was really excited to get to sleep in till 10:00 AM this morning. I ended up waking up about ten times, but refused to get out of bed until after 10:00. It was glorious. Since I have not been committed to staying healthy over the last few months I have been able to tell that I do not feel as good and energetic.
It is time to get back into a healthy mindset. The weather is beginning to be so very pleasant. It makes me want to walk and be outside everyday. Swimming is something that I miss, but this winter I will incorporate that into my activities. During the winter months it is more trying for me to be outside. Indoor activities are much more enjoyable when it is cold outside. Plus, the locker room where I swim at has a sauna! That nice warm up is great right after a long swim and cool shower.
I have no idea exactly how much weight I have gained since I started this new job because I am avoiding the scales. This week I will take the plunge and step on the dreaded measurement tool. I probably will not be revealing the results. A trip to the grocery store to get nutritious snacks and lunch foods will probably be in order.
Tomorrow is Sunday. Sunday is the first day of the week and a good day to get started on getting back on track. I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and feeling better. Sunday will be a healthy start to a healthful week.
Sleeping is my favorite hobby. I have a nice comfy bed and really enjoy getting out of bed and feeling well-rested. I was really excited to get to sleep in till 10:00 AM this morning. I ended up waking up about ten times, but refused to get out of bed until after 10:00. It was glorious. Since I have not been committed to staying healthy over the last few months I have been able to tell that I do not feel as good and energetic.
It is time to get back into a healthy mindset. The weather is beginning to be so very pleasant. It makes me want to walk and be outside everyday. Swimming is something that I miss, but this winter I will incorporate that into my activities. During the winter months it is more trying for me to be outside. Indoor activities are much more enjoyable when it is cold outside. Plus, the locker room where I swim at has a sauna! That nice warm up is great right after a long swim and cool shower.
I have no idea exactly how much weight I have gained since I started this new job because I am avoiding the scales. This week I will take the plunge and step on the dreaded measurement tool. I probably will not be revealing the results. A trip to the grocery store to get nutritious snacks and lunch foods will probably be in order.
Tomorrow is Sunday. Sunday is the first day of the week and a good day to get started on getting back on track. I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and feeling better. Sunday will be a healthy start to a healthful week.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Cool Waters
My favorite swimming conditions are cool waters! I was able to get in and have a nice swim today. I only did a 900 because I was pretty tired. I had a sleepless night last night. I did get a few hours sleep when I got back and then another couple this evening. It is my hope that tomorrow I will get into a routine for the week. I have lots to do this week and some traveling to add to the mix. Hopefully I will be able to schedule in some swim time and quite a bit of walking on one of my endeavors this week. I fully intended to mow the yard today and then the wind made me decide to come inside and curl up under a blanket instead. It is getting pretty bad so I will have to get at it either tomorrow or Wednesday. I am thinking Wednesday because it is supposed to be a great deal warmer then. I guess I just need to be glad that we don't have flooding or snow.
Grocery shopping is on the to do list for tomorrow. I am planning on getting some things that are fresh and healthy. I will of course replenish staples, but try to concentrate on the fresh stuff. I need to get some healthy snacks. I don't snack a great deal, but when I do I crave and only have on hand junk. My stupid fault! Since it is warmer out I will be more apt to eat fresh foods because they will be in season. It is also more appealing to me to eat lighter foods in the summer versus winter months. Mmmmmm.......strawberries sound so good right now. I will put those on my grocery list for tomorrow.
A happy, healthy, and productive week for all!
Grocery shopping is on the to do list for tomorrow. I am planning on getting some things that are fresh and healthy. I will of course replenish staples, but try to concentrate on the fresh stuff. I need to get some healthy snacks. I don't snack a great deal, but when I do I crave and only have on hand junk. My stupid fault! Since it is warmer out I will be more apt to eat fresh foods because they will be in season. It is also more appealing to me to eat lighter foods in the summer versus winter months. Mmmmmm.......strawberries sound so good right now. I will put those on my grocery list for tomorrow.
A happy, healthy, and productive week for all!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Not MIA
I am not Missing In Action. I am back on the blog train. The trip with my cousins and aunt was a fun and quick trip. I did get to spend time in the pool both nights that we were at the hotel. We explored at the City Museum and had tons of fun. The zoo was another place that we enjoyed. We walked and walked and walked some more. I was really relieved that I had been swimming and becoming more active prior to the trip. I was able to keep up with the kiddos and not get sore and out of breath.
There are always things that do go wrong on these trips. We were not an exception to the rule here. We were about 20 miles from home and I realized that I left my camera at home! The kids and my aunt were not supportive in turning around to go get it so I reluctantly continued on and silently cursed myself for my forgetfulness. The show went on and it was kind of nice to be able to enjoy the surroundings through only my eyes and not the lens of my camera. When I saw a mom taking a picture of her child and husband I stopped and reminded her to make sure and get in a picture, too. I told her to make sure that she wasn't always the one behind the camera because later on she would wish she would have got in the pictures. She told me that actually her husband is usually the one that is taking all of the pictures and she stopped and made him give her the camera so she could take on of him and their little tot.
Since I have been back I have worked on the yard a bit and the house. I have not been swimming as much as I had planned, but I did get to go for a dip last week and then again this week. I plan on going again later in the week and continuing to do yard work as well. My goal is to make sure that I swim a minimum of three times a week from here on out. I intend to add on some other lifestyle changes later on once I have made swimming a habit in my weekly routine. Getting back into the groove is rough, but it is worth it at the end of the day.
There are always things that do go wrong on these trips. We were not an exception to the rule here. We were about 20 miles from home and I realized that I left my camera at home! The kids and my aunt were not supportive in turning around to go get it so I reluctantly continued on and silently cursed myself for my forgetfulness. The show went on and it was kind of nice to be able to enjoy the surroundings through only my eyes and not the lens of my camera. When I saw a mom taking a picture of her child and husband I stopped and reminded her to make sure and get in a picture, too. I told her to make sure that she wasn't always the one behind the camera because later on she would wish she would have got in the pictures. She told me that actually her husband is usually the one that is taking all of the pictures and she stopped and made him give her the camera so she could take on of him and their little tot.
Since I have been back I have worked on the yard a bit and the house. I have not been swimming as much as I had planned, but I did get to go for a dip last week and then again this week. I plan on going again later in the week and continuing to do yard work as well. My goal is to make sure that I swim a minimum of three times a week from here on out. I intend to add on some other lifestyle changes later on once I have made swimming a habit in my weekly routine. Getting back into the groove is rough, but it is worth it at the end of the day.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Feeling Gloomy
I know that the best way to fight the gloomy feeling is to be active, but I just didn't want to. I will be out of town for a few days on an adventure and I know that will peek my activity level. I decided to get off my gloomy behind and work on some craft projects today and that seemed to help. I debated going for a swim for the past two days. I didn't go on Friday and mowed the yard instead. I think that I will not swim on the yard days anymore. I just am drained by the end of the day if I get up early and go swim and then mow that afternoon. If I am planning on going out on a Friday night it stinks because I get goofy acting when I am tired.
I learned this last weekend when some friends asked me to go to dinner and a movie for a girls night out. I declined on the movie because I was tired and had only slept a few hours the previous two nights. I ended up driving them all a few towns away to dinner because a delay in movie times and we had a fun little adventure but my driving skills were scary by the time I dropped them off at the movie. I was fine by myself but oh so distracted when sleepy and driving in an unfamiliar place. It was fun and memorable, I will give it that.
I plan on swimming the next two or three days but not laps. The hotel has a pool and I know that I will be the one on kid pool duty. The walking will be a fun and interesting change as well. I am thinking that I should really get back into walking on the mornings that I don't swim and during the evenings on the days that I do swim. Enjoy nature this week. I hope to have some pictures to share sometime by the end of the week. I would like to share pictures of the facility that I use and some of the equipment. Don't get water logged.
I learned this last weekend when some friends asked me to go to dinner and a movie for a girls night out. I declined on the movie because I was tired and had only slept a few hours the previous two nights. I ended up driving them all a few towns away to dinner because a delay in movie times and we had a fun little adventure but my driving skills were scary by the time I dropped them off at the movie. I was fine by myself but oh so distracted when sleepy and driving in an unfamiliar place. It was fun and memorable, I will give it that.
I plan on swimming the next two or three days but not laps. The hotel has a pool and I know that I will be the one on kid pool duty. The walking will be a fun and interesting change as well. I am thinking that I should really get back into walking on the mornings that I don't swim and during the evenings on the days that I do swim. Enjoy nature this week. I hope to have some pictures to share sometime by the end of the week. I would like to share pictures of the facility that I use and some of the equipment. Don't get water logged.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sticking with a Plan
It is so important to stick with a plan. I went for a swim, but not until this evening. I really must swim 3 or more times a week. This is just a requirement for me. I get out of whack if I don't go that much. I just need routine in all aspects in my life right now.
Today I got my butt handed to me by the chick in the next lane. I will not ever judge another swimmer by their appearance. She dove in the water from the side of the pool and started swimming freestyle. She did not stop swimming at all while I was in the pool. She had a descent speed and did a flip-turn at each end of the pool. This wasn't an impressive timed turn or even really correct, but it was a turn. I finally just stopped and watched her. Now I can swim my whole routine without stopping if I want to, but I cheat. I swim 100 free, 50 back, 50 breast, and then swap it up and do whatever feels right for the last 100. I am pretty proud of a 300 without stopping at this point. Really I am stopping though. I don' have to worry about my breathing and my speed slows on the other strokes. She had some crazy amazing endurance for her size and shape. I was very impressed. Not to judge or anything at all. She is the best swimmer that I have ever seen in that pool since I started back. Most people don't have a clue what they are doing and the others are senior citizens that are as slow as molasses compared to her. She did have a guy with her. I don't know if he was a friend, spouse, or son to her. I had on my goggles when they came in and didn't stop to really figure out the relationship.
The water did feel great today. It was nice a cool! I did cut it short today and only did 1200 meters today. I really, really have to start going every other day so that I can get in a habit and start actually improving instead of just sticking in the muck. Tomorrow I would really like to get in another swim, but I am planning on waiting till Friday. I like the every other day stuff. I also have a killer headache and have absolutely no idea why. Can you get a headache from embarrassment?
Today I got my butt handed to me by the chick in the next lane. I will not ever judge another swimmer by their appearance. She dove in the water from the side of the pool and started swimming freestyle. She did not stop swimming at all while I was in the pool. She had a descent speed and did a flip-turn at each end of the pool. This wasn't an impressive timed turn or even really correct, but it was a turn. I finally just stopped and watched her. Now I can swim my whole routine without stopping if I want to, but I cheat. I swim 100 free, 50 back, 50 breast, and then swap it up and do whatever feels right for the last 100. I am pretty proud of a 300 without stopping at this point. Really I am stopping though. I don' have to worry about my breathing and my speed slows on the other strokes. She had some crazy amazing endurance for her size and shape. I was very impressed. Not to judge or anything at all. She is the best swimmer that I have ever seen in that pool since I started back. Most people don't have a clue what they are doing and the others are senior citizens that are as slow as molasses compared to her. She did have a guy with her. I don't know if he was a friend, spouse, or son to her. I had on my goggles when they came in and didn't stop to really figure out the relationship.
The water did feel great today. It was nice a cool! I did cut it short today and only did 1200 meters today. I really, really have to start going every other day so that I can get in a habit and start actually improving instead of just sticking in the muck. Tomorrow I would really like to get in another swim, but I am planning on waiting till Friday. I like the every other day stuff. I also have a killer headache and have absolutely no idea why. Can you get a headache from embarrassment?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Seeing the Unforeseen...
Okay, so I had every intention of going for a swim last Wednesday but ended up over sleeping and not making it in time. I then had to drive a family member to a doctor's appointment and missed both the midday and evening swims. Thursday and Friday I spent time with my mom because she had to have her gallbladder removed. I took the weekend off, as usual. Yesterday and today I was a little swamped with work and trying to get things accomplished here, like dishes, dinner, and laundry. So enough excuses and bellyaching already, right.
Tomorrow is a new day and it will again have been a week since I was in the water! Iplan to will hit the pool tomorrow morning and get back in the swing of things. The water will be soooo nice, even if it is warm. Thursday and Friday afternoons I have to take family members for doctor's appointments. The mornings are free and I will make sure to fit in a swim and get some work done as well.
On a different note, spring is here! I get to spend time in the yard. I will hopefully get to spend some quality time fishing and perhaps turkey hunting as well. The fishing is always convenient for me, because if I get bored I can always lay out on the back deck of the boat with a book or my journal. Just being on the water is so nice and relaxing. "Bad Luck Charm" is the name I have taken as my own when it comes to accompanying my husband on outdoor adventures. I haven't ever had this problem when I am fishing or hunting with anyone else, but when I am with him we don't come home with squat. This should be a sign that he should have his hobbies and I should have mine. I mean he doesn't come swim with me or sew or craft or anything. Maybe I should just find a different person to go do the hunting gig with for a change. Happy swimming to you all...I will get out of bed tomorrow morning, I will get out of bed tomorrow morning, I will get out of bed tomorrow morning...
Tomorrow is a new day and it will again have been a week since I was in the water! I
On a different note, spring is here! I get to spend time in the yard. I will hopefully get to spend some quality time fishing and perhaps turkey hunting as well. The fishing is always convenient for me, because if I get bored I can always lay out on the back deck of the boat with a book or my journal. Just being on the water is so nice and relaxing. "Bad Luck Charm" is the name I have taken as my own when it comes to accompanying my husband on outdoor adventures. I haven't ever had this problem when I am fishing or hunting with anyone else, but when I am with him we don't come home with squat. This should be a sign that he should have his hobbies and I should have mine. I mean he doesn't come swim with me or sew or craft or anything. Maybe I should just find a different person to go do the hunting gig with for a change. Happy swimming to you all...I will get out of bed tomorrow morning, I will get out of bed tomorrow morning, I will get out of bed tomorrow morning...
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Holy Cow!
So I was in the pool again on Wednesday the 14th. I was having a good swim and had finished up the 1800 and wasn't really wanting to do the last 200 but felt a little ambitious and decided to try something that I hadn't done in years, literally years. I attempted to swim butterfly! I only made it to the other end of the pool (25 meters) and didn't think that there was any way that I was even going to make it that far. My core is all mush and I didn't have the upper body strength to get me up and out of the water. My legs were working but my arms were a little slow. Needless to say I did not attempt to swim a 25 butterfly on the way back down the pool. I settled for a very slow breaststroke so that I could breathe really easily. When I got to the end I decided to take it easy and just hang out for a few minutes before dragging myself out of the pool. The guard and myself were the only two souls in the entire pool area and that is the only reason that I even attempted the feat. The feat that defeated me.
I intended to go back on Friday morning but there were thunderstorms expected and I didn't want to make the trip just to drive back after a few minutes of swimming when the storm hit. I went out of town this weekend to visit my mother-in-law and didn't return until late Sunday evening. I recovered from a long weekend on Monday and braved the water again today. It was tough after being out for nearly an entire week. This morning wasn't too very bad. The pool was uber hot and that was a bummer. I trudged through though. I even went all out and did a full 2000 today. It felt great to be in the water, even if it was 89F.
On my trip this weekend to see the in-laws I did pick up a few things for the pool. I got a new swim cap, mine ripped a perfect half circle out above my right ear. I also got some earplugs that suck and hurt my ears. My favorite purchase was new goggles. The ones that I was using were found in a collection of spare lost goggles that my sister collected as a swim coach. Kids would either get new ones or just leave their goggles and she started a collection. These came in quite handy when a little one would show up to practice just to realize that they had left their goggles in the car or at home. You can imagine how scratched up and tattered these goggles were. They did serve their purpose, but they were either uncomfortable or nearly impossible to see out of. I am very appreciative of my new eyes.
I am seriously thinking about getting up in the morning and going for an awesome swim... It is nearly 1:30AM here so I am not totally convinced this will happen. I will hold out hope.
I intended to go back on Friday morning but there were thunderstorms expected and I didn't want to make the trip just to drive back after a few minutes of swimming when the storm hit. I went out of town this weekend to visit my mother-in-law and didn't return until late Sunday evening. I recovered from a long weekend on Monday and braved the water again today. It was tough after being out for nearly an entire week. This morning wasn't too very bad. The pool was uber hot and that was a bummer. I trudged through though. I even went all out and did a full 2000 today. It felt great to be in the water, even if it was 89F.
On my trip this weekend to see the in-laws I did pick up a few things for the pool. I got a new swim cap, mine ripped a perfect half circle out above my right ear. I also got some earplugs that suck and hurt my ears. My favorite purchase was new goggles. The ones that I was using were found in a collection of spare lost goggles that my sister collected as a swim coach. Kids would either get new ones or just leave their goggles and she started a collection. These came in quite handy when a little one would show up to practice just to realize that they had left their goggles in the car or at home. You can imagine how scratched up and tattered these goggles were. They did serve their purpose, but they were either uncomfortable or nearly impossible to see out of. I am very appreciative of my new eyes.
I am seriously thinking about getting up in the morning and going for an awesome swim... It is nearly 1:30AM here so I am not totally convinced this will happen. I will hold out hope.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Getting Back on Track
Well, so much for planning ahead. I did a 2000 meter swim on Friday morning and an 1800 meter swim and 10 minutes of treading water on Monday morning. I think that I prefer to swim in the mornings. The way that the pool is set up is better for morning swim. There is a solid wall on the East side of the pool and the West side is all windows. This isn't bad if you are just leisurely going for a swim. I don't like the sun in my eyes when I am doing laps though. Morning swims are also nice because it is dark when I get there and the sun is up when I leave. The water isn't too warm in the mornings either.
When I go for a morning swim I seem to be more alert throughout the day and just more productive in general. If that is what gets me going then I am up for the challenge of swimming only in the mornings. This week I am going to try to stick to the morning swims every other day. That means that tomorrow I will be hitting the water again. Maybe I will continue to have this energy and be more efficient during my daily activities. Since my mom is on a vacation from work this week and next week I am going to see if I can steal her away in the mornings and have her go along with me. She likes the pool and I think that she will enjoy being able to get in and relax a little. She is a morning person and I am sure that she will enjoy the time in the water.
I have been slacking on the whole eating healthy part of my lifestyle. This week I am going to work on that a little better. Tonight we are eating deer steak and veggies for dinner. For the remainder of the week I intend to kick it up a notch and eat breakfast and a light and healthy lunch. Maybe I will improve. I have errands and favors for others that must be completed throughout the remainder of the week and I might not get a chance to post any updates until the weekend. Have a great week and maybe I can squeeze in a few short posts in between the various meetings.
When I go for a morning swim I seem to be more alert throughout the day and just more productive in general. If that is what gets me going then I am up for the challenge of swimming only in the mornings. This week I am going to try to stick to the morning swims every other day. That means that tomorrow I will be hitting the water again. Maybe I will continue to have this energy and be more efficient during my daily activities. Since my mom is on a vacation from work this week and next week I am going to see if I can steal her away in the mornings and have her go along with me. She likes the pool and I think that she will enjoy being able to get in and relax a little. She is a morning person and I am sure that she will enjoy the time in the water.
I have been slacking on the whole eating healthy part of my lifestyle. This week I am going to work on that a little better. Tonight we are eating deer steak and veggies for dinner. For the remainder of the week I intend to kick it up a notch and eat breakfast and a light and healthy lunch. Maybe I will improve. I have errands and favors for others that must be completed throughout the remainder of the week and I might not get a chance to post any updates until the weekend. Have a great week and maybe I can squeeze in a few short posts in between the various meetings.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Benefits Abound
Well, so much for the socializing comment the other day. I am just a nice person and got stuck at the end of the pool talking to a stranger. I ended up using the excuse that I had somewhere to be and needed to get finished up with my swim. All I could do was smile and try to refrain from laughing since I knew that I was eating my words because of the comment the day before.
I was able to swim a 2000 meter combination swim on Thursday. I went back and did a 1200 swim on Saturday because I was pinched for time and the water was really, really warm. I don't like swimming in water when it is that warm. I can perform better and have improved endurance when the temperature is cooler. I took off yesterday because I had some meetings. I plan to start back in my routine tomorrow and swim a minimum of 2000 for my remaining trips this week.
Since I have been swimming I have experienced an increase in physical and mental energy. I already feel better and I have only been at this for about a week and a half. I am a sucker for an independent sport. Knowing that I am responsible for me is great. The responsibility of other's performances is a frustrating challenge for me. Sometimes I step up to that challenge in other aspects of my life, but usually with this aspect.
Enjoy your week! I am looking forward to a week of continued challenges.
I was able to swim a 2000 meter combination swim on Thursday. I went back and did a 1200 swim on Saturday because I was pinched for time and the water was really, really warm. I don't like swimming in water when it is that warm. I can perform better and have improved endurance when the temperature is cooler. I took off yesterday because I had some meetings. I plan to start back in my routine tomorrow and swim a minimum of 2000 for my remaining trips this week.
Since I have been swimming I have experienced an increase in physical and mental energy. I already feel better and I have only been at this for about a week and a half. I am a sucker for an independent sport. Knowing that I am responsible for me is great. The responsibility of other's performances is a frustrating challenge for me. Sometimes I step up to that challenge in other aspects of my life, but usually with this aspect.
Enjoy your week! I am looking forward to a week of continued challenges.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Finding an Exercise You Enjoy
When thinking about hitting it hard and really working to take off some weight or even just define your body and get in shape it is so important to do something that you enjoy. I have heard this type thing over and over for years. It has not really set in until recently. I mentioned the other day that I had ordered a swim suit online and was awaiting its arrival. Both of the suits that I ordered came in before the estimated date of arrival! (That is always an unexpected surprise.) They are both really the same suit, just one is blue and one is black. For the price and wear I hope that it gets it is just a good idea to have two.
I have actually been able to go for a couple of swims in the past week. In the future I hope to be able to go up to 3 or 4 times a week. When I was growing up I swam competitively for most of my childhood. When I was in the pool, even competing and practicing it never felt like I was working. Now that I am back in the pool and swimming regularly for the first time in about 12 years I don't understand why I stopped in the first place. I know that I stopped early on in high school just because of school commitments, but I should have stuck with it and made it a priority. Since I can't change the past I can only hope to stick with swimming for the future.
When you find an activity that you enjoy it is important to stay with it. There are many different activities that will help to keep you toned and in shape and not feel like you are working out. Some people enjoy walking in the woods, roller-blading, bicycling, canoeing, swimming, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, and the list goes on and on and on. If you are taking part in something that you enjoy you will just concentrate on that activity and not on the exercise aspects. The length of time and effort put forth to complete the activity is sometimes the portion that people focus on when exercising. If you are doing an activity that you like and is more like a sport or something enjoyable you concentrate on the whole of the activity and don't view it as a chore.
A few weeks ago I tried to do some more routine exercises and they just didn't really work for me. I went walking a few mornings a week for a few weeks. This is something that I didn't mind, but I got a little bored with that. I do still like to get out and walk around before the rest of the town comes to life and plan to continue to do that when the weather permits (and I am actually in the mood to wake up early). I also went to the gym one morning to try that out. I HATE the gym. It seems like it takes me forever to go the same distance on a treadmill that doesn't anytime at all when I am walking outside. I don't like having to wipe down machines and just be around other people when I am working out. I am a very social person and when I am working out I don't want to be distracted with smiling and making nice gestures to strangers. If I am in the pool it really limits socialization unless I want to socialize.
Swimming is that activity for me. I enjoy swimming and don't feel like it is a chore. I hope that everyone really thinks about something that they like to do and look forward to doing that will improve their health. Always be sure to practice safely when starting a new workout regimen. Have fun!
I have actually been able to go for a couple of swims in the past week. In the future I hope to be able to go up to 3 or 4 times a week. When I was growing up I swam competitively for most of my childhood. When I was in the pool, even competing and practicing it never felt like I was working. Now that I am back in the pool and swimming regularly for the first time in about 12 years I don't understand why I stopped in the first place. I know that I stopped early on in high school just because of school commitments, but I should have stuck with it and made it a priority. Since I can't change the past I can only hope to stick with swimming for the future.
When you find an activity that you enjoy it is important to stay with it. There are many different activities that will help to keep you toned and in shape and not feel like you are working out. Some people enjoy walking in the woods, roller-blading, bicycling, canoeing, swimming, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, and the list goes on and on and on. If you are taking part in something that you enjoy you will just concentrate on that activity and not on the exercise aspects. The length of time and effort put forth to complete the activity is sometimes the portion that people focus on when exercising. If you are doing an activity that you like and is more like a sport or something enjoyable you concentrate on the whole of the activity and don't view it as a chore.
A few weeks ago I tried to do some more routine exercises and they just didn't really work for me. I went walking a few mornings a week for a few weeks. This is something that I didn't mind, but I got a little bored with that. I do still like to get out and walk around before the rest of the town comes to life and plan to continue to do that when the weather permits (and I am actually in the mood to wake up early). I also went to the gym one morning to try that out. I HATE the gym. It seems like it takes me forever to go the same distance on a treadmill that doesn't anytime at all when I am walking outside. I don't like having to wipe down machines and just be around other people when I am working out. I am a very social person and when I am working out I don't want to be distracted with smiling and making nice gestures to strangers. If I am in the pool it really limits socialization unless I want to socialize.
Swimming is that activity for me. I enjoy swimming and don't feel like it is a chore. I hope that everyone really thinks about something that they like to do and look forward to doing that will improve their health. Always be sure to practice safely when starting a new workout regimen. Have fun!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Feeling Guilty
When I go out of town I tend to take advantage of cuisine and indulge a bit too much. This is something that I know I need to work on in order to improve. It is important to stay in a fairly normal routine, but oh so difficult. I am out of town at the moment. I will be traveling back home today and actually have only been gone yesterday and today. I didn't pack clothes to hit the gym at the hotel because I knew that I wouldn't have time. Sitting here in the room waiting on the rest of the crew to finish getting ready I realize that I should have packed that stuff and could have hit the gym this morning and still be ready and writing this in a more positive light. Lesson learned, always pack sweats and sneakers. See, I wouldn't have ate as much if I would have worked out first thing this morning and would be even more energized for the day and ride home. Hind-sight is 20/20, right?
On another note, I ordered two competition swim suits from Swim Outlet the other day. I was hoping to have them sometime this week, but now it is looking like I might not get them until the end of next week. My thoughts are that I will be swimming in order to get fit. Walking will continue, just because it is a good habit and you can do it anywhere. Getting back into an activity like swimming should be interesting. I have not been a real swimmer in about 12 years. This should prove to be an interesting endeavor.
I wish everyone a good week and delightful weather.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Walking
In order to succeed in the mission of becoming Healthy-J I am starting a good habit. Walking on a regular basis is my first step to a healthy lifestyle. Nature is beautiful and I want to be able to walk through and enjoy it daily. I started this habit and have yet to make it an actual habit. Friday, January 27th, I walked 3.7 miles with a friend. We walked her kids to school and then continued walking around our neighborhood. We had a good time walking and talking. It made me feel good to be outside so early in the morning and moving around. I had a busy weekend that weekend and did not walk any. Tuesday, January 31st, I walked with my husband for 2.2 miles before he left for work that afternoon. I learned that I do not want to walk with him. It is easy for me to walk by myself or to walk with a female. I feel to challenged to walk with him at this point. He walks fast and I always am struggling to keep up instead of just enjoying the activity. This habit is supposed to be positive and something that I look forward to each day. If this becomes something that I dread I will not do well and eventually give up. Wednesday, February 1st and Thursday, February 2nd, I walked by myself. I put on my ipod and hit the road. I walked for 2.2 miles both days. I like the solitude of this individual activity. Please note that I have mentioned the amount that I have walked only as exercise. Daily I walk many, many more miles than what I have mentioned. I am going to be concentrating on the amount that I walk for exercise. This past weekend I didn't walk any either. I am getting back on the wagon tomorrow morning and plan to make up for not walking yesterday by doubling up on my amount. I will probably walk double on Wednesday as well. Tonight I am hitting the Total Gym at my parent's house to work on some other areas instead of totally concentrating on cardio.
My mother works at a school and they have a team that is participating in Walk Across Tennessee. My mother started out on a team but I ended up taking her spot on the team. The local fitness facilities in our area have offered free weeks of facility use to the individuals that are participating in this program. This is wonderful for me because I would like to sample a few gyms before I make a commitment. This made me think, it seems logical that if someone might want to try out a gym that they could probably get a week or two of free membership to help them make a decision. I will be getting a total of a free month when I combine all of the sample memberships. This will help me to make good on my commitment, too.
Eventually I hope to be able to swim on a regular basis as a part of my fitness routine. This would mean that I would have to drive a fair distance to add this to my regimen if I did this before summer. Maybe this will be an element that I can make room for during the summer months when a lap pool is more accessible for me. Plus, if I work on my cardio and resistance training now, I will look better in a swimsuit later on in the summer. Right now, I just think that a swimsuit might be a little depressing. I am a natural swimmer. I started swimming when I was five. Years have passed since the last time that I was a competitive swimmer, but I know that swimming is one of the best exercises to help you get fit.
Well, I have to get on the ball and hit the Total Gym before I hit the road and head home for the night. I will be doing a great deal of walking this week and I wish everyone luck with their fitness goals for this new year. It is my hope that from seeing my short falls from the past couple of weeks that it encourages others to keep on working toward goals even though they may fall behind from time to time. Health and happiness to all.
My mother works at a school and they have a team that is participating in Walk Across Tennessee. My mother started out on a team but I ended up taking her spot on the team. The local fitness facilities in our area have offered free weeks of facility use to the individuals that are participating in this program. This is wonderful for me because I would like to sample a few gyms before I make a commitment. This made me think, it seems logical that if someone might want to try out a gym that they could probably get a week or two of free membership to help them make a decision. I will be getting a total of a free month when I combine all of the sample memberships. This will help me to make good on my commitment, too.
Eventually I hope to be able to swim on a regular basis as a part of my fitness routine. This would mean that I would have to drive a fair distance to add this to my regimen if I did this before summer. Maybe this will be an element that I can make room for during the summer months when a lap pool is more accessible for me. Plus, if I work on my cardio and resistance training now, I will look better in a swimsuit later on in the summer. Right now, I just think that a swimsuit might be a little depressing. I am a natural swimmer. I started swimming when I was five. Years have passed since the last time that I was a competitive swimmer, but I know that swimming is one of the best exercises to help you get fit.
Well, I have to get on the ball and hit the Total Gym before I hit the road and head home for the night. I will be doing a great deal of walking this week and I wish everyone luck with their fitness goals for this new year. It is my hope that from seeing my short falls from the past couple of weeks that it encourages others to keep on working toward goals even though they may fall behind from time to time. Health and happiness to all.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Late Start to a New Year
The New Year is here. It has been here for almost a month now. I am just now getting around to really thinking about changing my lifestyle. I know that there are little things that I can do to improve my health. I will be using this blog to share my ideas and progress through this experience. I am going to make changes slowly and stick with them. I have learned that if you try to start or stop too many things at once that it really doesn't work out. This is a late start to a new years resolution, but at least I have taken the first step and actually started. I am married but have no children. When I do make changes I might refer to how to include your spouse or roommate in those changes. This will be a place where I share ideas and frustrations. Feel free to comment on any of the posts. I would love to hear feedback and to know if any of the ideas are being put into place by others. Suggestions and support are definitely welcome here. I wish everyone health, serenity and happiness in 2012.
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