Tuesday, December 7, 2010

So Far, So Good

running bulldog Pictures, Images and Photos

You Can Teach a Dog New Tricks
I am midway through my 5th week of my new crazy fitness plan. Crazy for me, that is. I saw my parents the other night at a birthday gathering for my sister, and they had a good laugh over me running outside before dawn on a regular basis. They shared stories - especially with my amused husband - about how I couldn't be woken up if my life depended on it, when I was younger and still living at home. Sometimes I can't believe it, but I have grown to really cherish the "extra" time during the day this new schedule gives me. I used to be a total night owl, but I would my evenings reading magazines or other doing unconstructive things like watching TV and surfing the web. And while my Tivo was cleared on a regular basis, I was tired in the morning and my ass had couch prints.

Staying Focused
Nowadays, I am like a granny, trying to be in bed between 9 and 9:30 on the 3-4x per week I have to get up and run the next day. When I get back, my family is still sleeping. I can drink coffee in peace, eat a little breakfast, wash/fold some laundry, check my email...I have quiet time just for me!  At night when I get home from work I am still in kind of a mad rush to get the kids fed, bathed and put to bed. And after that, rather than stay up too late trying to cram in some laundry or catch up on my shows, I just go to bed. I have a really great book I have been dying to read, but I know it will keep me up too late so I have put off starting it. I really want to stay focused on this plan for as long as I can. And I have realized, I don't even miss half of the shows used to "need" to watch. I have stopped recording most of them and also not replaced series that are off season or cancelled with new shows. I still watch TV, but I keep it to just a few nights a week, and only programs that I really LOVE.

Pushing the Limits
Additionally, I only give myself 1 day off exercise during the week, right in the middle. The days I am not running, I try to mix things up a bit by adding in yoga, pilates or doing an interval training (walking) on my treadmill. It's good practice to keep your muscles guessing by cross-training. This will prevent your body from getting too used to one form of exercise and your muscles will stay challenged by the variety. Already, my morning runs are getting easier, and my time is decreasing for the same route. Soon I'll be adding more distance!

Seeing Is Believing
I love looking in the mirror and seeing a thinner face staring back at me. I look so much better when my thighs are tight and muscular, and my butt is perky. Yoga is really toning my arms. I am working on my middle, which could definitely use some firming up and  that is always the last to go! I have to remember to keep drinking water and flushing out the toxins and things that make me puffy. As my running partner and I always say to each other - "Kick ass!"

Hope you are having a kick ass week!

8 comments:

  1. wow!. You are my hero. I've been putting off working out because I'm just so tired when I get home and I already wake up early enough. I need motivation and your post certainly helped.

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  2. Grats, it's really great when you start seeing the results you're working so hard to achieve, isn't it?

    I've also stepped up my workout routine and switched up some stuff and really like what I see :) Yay for us both LOL.

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  3. Hello from a bright sunny, beautifully snowy UK. I don't often praise the UK but today it is like a Christmas card.
    I really needed to read this today. I've let my exercise regime diminish badly...I'm just going to put down my large packet of chocolate biscuits and do some weights - you have seriously kicked my butt today. Thank you
    I am your latest and newest follower or indeed stalker as I'm chasing you on Twitter, GFC and Netwroked blogs. Keep it up and hopefully I'll stay focused too with you. :)
    Please drop by and maybe follow me too.
    Warm wishes.

    Carol from www.facing50withhumour.blogspot.com
    Last post 'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

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  4. Thank you for coming by my blog. Following you back and glad to meet another local.

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  5. Hi there! I am your newest follwer from wednesday blog hop :) Hope you will stop by and follow me maybe for some good ole recipes. Good luck on your journey. I've been down your road!

    www.skinnyonadime.com

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  6. Thanks for joining the Global Blog Hop! I am your newest follower from Nova Scotia, Canada.

    http://simplystacie.net

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  7. Good for you mama! I too have been getting up early to run. It is SO hard some days to get out of bed don't ya think? That said there is nothing better then starting your day off with a run and having this extra energy that can last you all day. I love it!
    Great job on your weight loss. I wish it was falling off me as it sounds like it is you. My last blog post was about weight loss and a Biggest Loser challenge I participated in you should read it. http://ohboy-kelly.blogspot.com/
    Anyways hurray for your perky butt haahhah and good job waking up, and going to bed early I know first hand that this is NOT always easy!!!

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  8. Oh wow...I am so glad we have found each other. I found this post to be so motivating and inspirational and you've really got me thinking.

    My life sounds exactly like yours before you started t his new routine and I sitting her thinking...uh ya, why can't I do that?

    I also grabbed my bottle of water sitting by my desk and had a sip while I was reading this :)

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