Want to Get in Shape? Fitness Goals

Running my first leg (out of 3) in the
Hood to Coast relay this past August. It was so stinking hot out!

Exercise. It's a thing I didn't learn to love (or even like) until I moved 3,000 miles from family and friends and wanted to do something for myself.  Now 2.5 years later and three races completed I still really like it!! I'm not lying, I really do.

I find exercise to be exhausting and sometimes more of a mental challenge than a physical one, but it's so rewarding to see results and accomplish goals.

My first fitness goal ever was to run a 8K (5 miles) three months after by 4th baby was born. There is nothing more motivating than trying to lose that baby weight and get back in normal clothes again. So even though I was never a runner or a goal setter ( I really hate setting goals) I actually did it and it was AMAZING. I came running into the finish line with tears in my eyes in absolute disbelief that I actually finished the race and much faster than I expected. Truly a great moment in my life.

So if you are like the majority of people out there and have set a goal to exercise and lose weight in 2012 you can read more about my first race and the baby steps I took to accomplish HERE. Hopefully it will give you a little direction and motivation to get started. I am still very much a rookie in the exercise and running world, but I always like to hear about other's experiences so I though maybe you'd like to hear about mine.

My favorite place to exercise is actually at the gym. I LOVE the treadmill, eliptical machines and lifting weights. I do much better when I am visually distracted while exercising so watching tv or reading a book ( or people watching) while exercising helps me out a lot and I can push myself to go longer.

There is always running outside and listening to an ipod to get you through a workout too (I'm starting to like it more). I find running outside works a whole different set of muscles than a treadmill does so it's good variety for me to do both.

But you know what? I actually haven't run on a treadmill or outside for about 4 months . . . yikes!! I could give a whole slew of excuses, but I won't. I'll just say that I'm making that same New Years resolution as the rest of you . . . to get in shape.

And now for my 2012 Fitness Goals:
Exercise 4 days a weeks - at least 3 days with cardio 
Run a 10k (6 miles) in under 9:15 miles (faster than my last 10k).

Simple goals, but they will still challenge me.

No gym membership for me at this time in my life and the mornings are way too dark still for me to run outside so I exercise indoors (or I will be starting to as soon as  I finish this post).

Here are my favorite sites for exercise tips/videos and nutrition tips - all things you can do in the comfort of your home. I think you'll really love them as much as I do. They are such great workouts!

Trainer Mamma! She has a great story of losing lots of weight and then becoming a certified personal trainer. She's a great motivator and has such great nutritious recipes, fabulous videos and printable workouts. I really see results when I follow her workouts. She had a baby recently and hasn't really posted anything new lately, but look all through her archives and you will find some really great things!!

Blogilates! Another amazing site. She's extremely healthy in the way she eats, way more so than I will ever be or would ever want to be, but she has some interesting recipes that I think would be worth trying. My favorite part about her site is her videos. She does pilates videos and they are AMAZING!! They are    simple, slow movements that they work your body and and leave you shaking (the good kind of 'I know I worked hard' shaking).

**What are your fitness goals for the year and do you have any fitness blogs or websites to recommend? I'm always looking for variety to add to my workouts!!**

Happy Exercising Everyone!!

Running

One year ago I started running - running to lose the baby weight after the birth of my fourth child. I was tired of wearing my maternity clothes post-partum, there is something horribly depressing about that. With no "in-between" clothes to wear and no money to buy anything new (or used) I had to get my body moving to shed those pesky pounds around my middle (and everywhere else).

So I started running. The last time I had really run was in high school, 9 years earlier. I was on the track team doing sprints as more of a social activity and a time to hang out with my boyfriend (now my husband).

So I stepped out the door of our home and slowly, very slowly started jogging. I was hot, uncomfortable, and wanted to stop but I kept going and ran 1.5 miles at a very slow pace of 15 minutes a mile.  I've never been one to consistently exercise, let alone actually run a considerable distance so accomplishing this was monumental for me. I have several friends who are avid runners and exercises and I always thought that what they were doing was great, but something I could never get excited about and actually do.

However, after several more days and weeks of running my lungs didn't ache when I ran, I had more energy and was just feeling generally happier. I signed myself up for a race to motivate me to keeping running and within time the weight started slipping off. I saw my legs become more defined, I could actually get my jeans buttoned and my shirts didn't hug my waist so tight.  My hard work was paying off and I couldn't be happier about it - physically, mentally and emotionally! I finally understood why my friends loved running and exercising so much! It makes you feel good and happy!

Just three months after my baby was born (2 months after I started running) I ran my first race since high school, an 8K (4.96 miles). I loved every minute of that race. I felt happy and proud that I worked hard, trained, and accomplished a goal that I had set. I had never run that many miles before and was no longer running a 15 minute mile, instead I averaged a 9:21 mile and was very excited about that!

A few months later I ran in a 10K and in November will be running another 8K. I've felt the "runner's high" and how amazing it is to cross the finish line after each race.  I hope to be running many many more races in my life!

Do you want to lose some weight, slip into your old jeans, and have more energy? Here are a few things I did to get myself motivated, off the couch and to start seeing results.

*I have absolutely no professional training in exercise or nutrition. I am simply sharing from my own personal experiences. Always check with your doctor before beginning a exercise program (that's what the exercise video's always say, right?)*


1. Set a Goal. This goal could be to lose a certain amount of weight, to run a certain distance, to exercise a certain number of days a week etc. . . Remember to set a reasonable goal, one that provides a good challenge, yet is attainable.

I hate setting goals. I'm not even sure of the real reason why, but failure seems to always be at the top of the list of why people don't set goals. When I paid my money to run the 8K I felt excited, but nervous and even obligated to have a good personal performance. I set a goal and committed to not back out.

2. Determine Your Motivation. I wrote above that I started running to lose the baby weight and while that is true as I got closer to the race day I realized that perhaps my best motivation was in simply accomplishing something I had never done before and being proud of myself for finishing the race. Every time I went running to train and I just wanted to just walk I would repeat in my mind over and over and over again my motivations - "finish the race, be proud and lose some weight."

Maybe your motivation will be to have more energy to play with your kids, lose some weight before the holidays, or simply to accomplish something you've never done before too!

3. Find a Friend or a Gym. With four small children at home and a busy husband I knew I wasn't going to be able to accomplish my goal without joining a gym. I couldn't run in the mornings as that as when my husband was working out or leaving early for school and I like to have my evenings with my family. I knew I needed to join a gym that had child care so I could take my kids with me and get my exercise done during the day.

I joined our local YMCA and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience there. They have a great facility, great child care and I get a 1 hour break from my kids several days a week while I exercise! Sounds great huh?! I've tried to workout at home with DVDs and weights and such but I feel very little motivation at home.  At the gym I've got the young and old exercising all around me, people of all shapes and sizes, and nothing motivates me more than being on a treadmill next to a 60 year old woman. If she is running I should be running, right?!  I also really like the option to take some exercise classes and lift weights too.

I know the gym can sound and be expensive, but ask about scholarships for reduced prices or special deals or packages they might have. Call around, price check, and try out the FREE passes to several gyms to make sure find the one you like and fits your best.

Don't want to spend money or join a gym? Finding a friend to exercise with is a great motivator. Running with a friend will get you out the door, give you something to distract your mind as you talk and run and you can help encourage each other and share your goals. I have a group of friends here who all signed up for the upcoming 8K so they run together on Saturday mornings to prepare for the race.

4. Eat a Balanced Diet and Cut Out Sugar.  I'm not the healthiest gal on the planet, but when I do want to shed some pounds cutting out ALL sugar for 2 weeks gets my body jump started. If you just can't bear the thought of going without sweets try just cutting them out during the week and save the goodies for the weekend. That is bound to cut out a chunk of your calories each week.

Drinking lots of water, eating smaller portions and eating more fruits and veggies gives me more energy and I'm thinking it will so the same for you.

I know that the tips above aren't some fabulous diet and exercise program, but often that isn't needed. Get moving and eat better and you're bound to see some results whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally!