Trying to Catch Up

I am still trying to catch up on my lack of sleep. I can go through my normal routine of working at my job and home, but when I exercise, I feel the lack of stamina. I do certainly realize that your body needs sleep. As I said Monday, I stayed away from my class and tried to jog on the treadmill. I found it to be difficult, and walking even tired me out. Tuesday I did go to my spin class, but it was hard too. Wednesday I went to FF class, and Thursday I skipped the spinning class and made it 24 laps in the pool. Today I made it to my FF class. I think some of my friends think I do too much, but when I read of others that are in "training", they are doing much more than me. I am still laying off the Dr. Peppers. I have an occasional Diet Coke. Usually it is water that I am drinking. And I do realize that I still consume too many calories. I hope to change my lifestyle in this regard and eat more fruit (which I seldom eat) and vegetables (which I need to eat more of). I seldom have anything sweet, so that is not a problem. I do continue to feel very fit even though I still am engaged in the "battle of the bulge". Tomorrow is Saturday and I do hope to do some sort of activity. I also hope that anyone reading this log of my exercise is encouraged to keep up with their program. We don't have to look at one another and compare ourselves. We are all different and we know what we can and cannot do. But I hope that I am a reminder to everyone that they must be doing something to fight this premature aging that is a result of a sedintary lifestyle. So... keep moving, at your own pace, and think of exercise as the fountain of youth.

Not Enough Sleep

You know I have mentioned being with my friends this weekend. When you get with friends you don't get to see everyday, you want to make the most of it. You are having so much fun laughing and talking and listening that you don't want the time to end. You lose track of time. Before you know it, it is the wee hours of the morning. So.... over the weekend I only got about 7 hours of sleep total. Last night I was able to get in one night 7 hours. I decided to skip my workout class this morning. I hope to hit the treadmill later this morning. I don't plan to make skipping a habit. My habit will continue to be working hard so that I can be healthy enough to keep going and have another weekend of only 7 hours sleep. How about you? Is working out a habit now in your life? If not, start today and make moving a daily habit. You decide what you do, how long you do it, and how difficult it is. But make it a habit starting today.

Friendship

This weekend I spent time with some of my closest and oldest friends. The Bible says a friend loveth at all times. How blessed I have been to have had these friends in my life for such a long time. Our most common thread in our friendship is our history. We know about each other now, but we have a history of knowing all about each others' pasts. We are different in many ways because of our life experiences. Therefore, we bring a new perspective to one another. I may not have experienced being divorced or widowed or losing a child or visiting my child in jail, but I can come to understand the gamut of emotions you have by my friends sharing their lives with me. All of their stories and tears bring me to a new level of empathy. I am able to ask questions, sometimes quite personal, and my friends share with me so I can understand human nature better and have a clearer understanding that I would not have in my sometimes "sheltered life". I see the strength in the character of these women, and I am encouraged and know that when my time of tragedy comes I will have the support I need to help me along the way. So I salute friendship whether it be a longtime friendship or a newfound friendship. Thank God for those friends you have in your life.

Three a Days

Well, you hear of football players' practice called two a days when they practice twice a day. So I called my workout today three a days. I swam 20 laps this morning, then I made it to fitness fusion at 7:15. Later this afternoon I jogged on the treadmill for a walk/run of 25 minutes. It was plenty long enough to sweat alot. I thought I would do this because I am meeting with my special "oldest" (meaning longest tenure) friends. There will be about 8 of us 50+ year olds and I know I won't have time to do any exercise. I will get back to work on Sunday. Have a great weekend.

Today was Different

Today was different for me. Now I really do enjoy going to my classes. But one thing that I do kinda get tired of is leaving my house every day before daylight. I was about to head out the door, and I just changed my mind and decided to do something different. Today I spent some early morning time in prayer and Bible study. I just needed what I have neglected. But don't believe that I skipped my exercise although it would have been easy to do. I like to exercise in the morning because then I have gotten it done. If I wait too long.... sometimes I won't do it. So I got on the treadmill and I did what "Body For Life' recommends. Only I went longer than 20 minutes. But you get warmed up and then increase your speed for a minute and then increase again for a minute and continue and then start the cycle over. Well I have been wanting to jog so I did this on Monday and again today. Here is what I did- walked for 3 minutes at a speed of 3.5 to 4.0 mph, then for one minute I jogged at 4.2, another minute at 4.4, another minute at 4.6, another minute at 4.8, then I went back to 4.0 and started the cycle over. I was able to do 5 cycles, and then a cool down of 4.0 to 3.5 for two minutes. I was on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I could have walked the 4.2, but it was easier on my legs to jog it. So, I figure I jogged for 20 minutes total and walked for 10. I hope to make this a habit and increase my time and then increase my speed and then take it from the treadmill to the outside. I will see if my knees will hold up to this. Yesterday I did my spinning class which is actually becoming easier to me. I had to work so I did not make the afternoon walk. I have some business this afternoon so I don't know if I will make it to walk this afternoon or not. Tomorrow I am either going to the spin class or swimming. I have not been to the pool all week, and I do want to make it at least once a week. So.... mix up your exercise, but as the saying goes Just Do It!!!!

Been Awhile

Well, it has been awhile since I last posted. Almost a week! But don't think just because I have not been moving the fingers on the keyboard I have not been moving the body because I have. I did not get much walking in last week due to the weather, work, and going out of town. On Thursday I made it to my spinning class. I still must wait an hour after finishing before I can put my makeup on. The sweat is still pouring for quite awhile. Friday I went to my fitness fusion class and it was a great workout. I went out of town so I did not walk that afternoon. Today was fitness fusion again. I wanted to go to the pool, but I slept too late and did not make it. It is a good thing though because I don't think I could have done double-duty today. We had a great workout. Lots of lunges, squats, planking. Whew!!!! I am still breathing hard. Today I hope to plan those small calorie meals I told you about last week. You know 300 calories to be eaten 5 times per day. Okay.... this is my 6th week. If I know anything about exercising it is this- CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY!!!! You can't skip several days. I missed Saturday and Sunday. One day is fine, but I should have done something on Saturday. You cannot just exercise 3 days a week. You have to do something every day!! Well, every day but one. If you don't have time, then break it up into 10 minute intervals. But you have to do it every day!! I am saying this to myself as I type it on this blog. I hope to walk this afternoon, and maybe try again to throw some jogging back in there. Remember.... you are not behind... jump in and get moving!!!

Making It

Yesterday was my spinning class, and I am making it. I kept up with the group pretty good. I did everything Ryan told us to do. I was wringing wet when I finished my ride, but oh... it felt good. You know..... to know you are doing your body good just feels good. While we were riding Ryan spoke more about our eating habits. Of course there are lots of different opinions about eating what, when, how often, etc. But his advice is to eat 1500 calories a day in small amounts of 300 calories for 5 times a day. This keeps your body from starving, it keeps your motor running all day long. He also said to keep up your exercise even on the weekend with one day of rest. And to take it up a notch, throw in an additional cardio exercise 3 times a week. Hey, I can do that. In fact with my fitness fusion and spinning I do either walk or swim. Yeah.... I got it going on. So.... I do know that my focus needs to shift somewhat to planning my meals and following through. Yes... I can do this!