Today I did level 3 and then level 1 (with some level 3 modifications) of the 30 day shred, day 22 (56 minutes), and 5 sets of 20 reps of the Quickfire Challenge (QFC) Side Crunches with 5lb hand weights (this took me about 12 minutes).
In the last week or so, I have realized that I am procrastinating with exercising a lot, and that I am hitting some sort of a plateau with exercise--nothing is changing and I'm getting bored easily (I have mentioned these things a few times here). I also realized that I need to start exercising earlier, because my Monkey Boy is a distraction too, and I need to step it up a notch and exercise more, so that I can quit complaining (and coincidentally eat more lol). It's nice to realize all of this, but nothing will ever change until I actually do something about it.
The computer is my biggest distraction/tool of procrastination. Unfortunately my hubby comes in a strong second. There isn't anything wrong with these things and I definitely don't have to remove them from my life to accomplish my goals (what a surprise that would be to my hubby! lol), especially now that I know what triggers my procrastination for exercise. Yesterday and today I did something about it. One of them fell into my lap without my even looking for it (totally a God thing) which kind of also helps me with another.
I have a routine--I wake up in the morning (6am), go to the kitchen, fill up my water, get my yogurt and vitamins, then sit down (veg) at my computer and read emails and do my sparkpeople thing (points, reading articles, check off my goals, etc) and some other stuff. This routine is a BIG problem. Yesterday I decided that today and onward I would not come to the computer until AFTER I am finished exercising. My computer would be my reward and this TOTALLY worked (for today at least). I was finished with almost an hour of exercise before I normally would have even started--when I procrastinate. On the weekends I am going to try to speed it up and get to exercising while my hubby is in the shower. Out of sight, out of mind. Check and check.
The other thing that I tackled yesterday (the God thing) was my boredom of my workout. I don't feel sore and I am just bored. Randomly, I was invited to a group on sparkpeople called Quickfire Challenge (QFC)--the leader of the group puts up daily challenges/exercises for us to do, and this also helps me a lot with boredom and I am sore today! Yesterday one of the QFC's was to do a side lunge with a knee lift (surprisingly a Jillian Michaels move--it starts at :20 on the screen). It's kind of like the side lunge/anterior shoulder raise in Level 1--30DS (I think this is what she calls it), but w/ no weights/shoulder raise, and the leg that you lunge into, goes into a knee lift. I did 25 of them on each leg, 4 times (4 sets/25 reps). My butt is kickin'! Whew! Doing these QFC's tackles the boredom and also extends my workouts so they are longer--every extra minute helps!
The thing that I am saddest about in all of this revelation is a few articles I read about exercise and losing weight and maintaining weight. I knew that the FDA, ACSM and CDC suggest 30 minutes of MODERATE exercise on most days, but I think I purposefully blocked out the fact that if you want to lose weight or maintain weight loss you need to double that. Studies have shown (conducted by The National Weight Control Registry) that the 5000 people in this study that have lost weight, and have maintained that weight loss for 5 or so years do at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise EVERYDAY. *cry* I guess I need to step it up a notch. The lazy part of me doesn't want to, but I think I am ready. I have been teasing myself with it anyway.
So I guess that's it. I realized what was standing in my way, and I found a way to get around it. Hopefully I can stick to it! If I find myself lingering away from it, I guess I will have to create a sparkpeople goal, so that I can check it off (the same way I got myself to eat enough veggies, drink my water and take my vitamins lol--so sad but you gotta do what you gotta do!).
Have a great Monday! Try to realize something that is blocking you from accomplishing a goal, and find your way around it. Don't give up! Make today count!
I can do this. I am a star.
Monday, June 22, 2009
day 173 (day 5 / week 25)
Posted by Melissa Henning at 8:39 AM
Labels: 12 minutes, 30 day shred Level 1, 30 day shred Level 3, 56 minutes, bored with workout, jillian michaels, procrastinating exercise, Quickfire Challenge (QFC)
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5 comments:
Yeah, the computer is a BIG problem!
Anyway, I was just at a shiva house (translation: someone sitting shiva, the 7 day mourning period in Jewish tradition) for a friend whose father passed away. She was telling me he would exercise every morning for three hours (!) but he would also consume several candy bars and a half a gallon of ice cream a day. And he lived to be 92!
Melissa, I totally understand. Working out with Superman first thing in the morning has completely rejuvenated my days. Just as you knew you were going to need to had more minutes, I knew the answer to my own problems was getting up earlier. I just wasn't doing it. After only a few weeks of doing so (interrupted by an awesome vacation), my life feels so different. I know your trick of rewarding yourself will work. Just hum "Proud" when you're starting: "What have you done today to make yourself feel PROUD?" It works every time!
P.S. Miriam, sorry about your friend's loss.
you are already doing awesome and it is great that you are going to try to step it up! sometimes that is all you need is a slight change to create big results. consistency is the winner every time!! good luck and keep up the amazing work!
Have you ever heard of/checked out T-Tapp? www.t-tapp.com I'm amazed at this exercise program. It's pricey (unfortunately) but they often have specials going on. There are some free samples online, too. It could help push you past your boredom.
BTW, I got here from a comment you left on Stephanie's Totally Organized blog. I'm impressed at your exercise commitment!
Tabitha
Sorry to hear about your friends loss Miriam. I hope someday I will live to be as old as him (and my hubby and son too!).
Erin, life does feel different, when you get up and exercise first thing in the morning. I feel like I have accomplished so much more! Hope you and Superman are having a great time going to the gym! :)
Thank you Nerd Girl (I always feel so silly calling you that lol). I hope something changes soon, cause this is frustrating. I hope my consistency pays off sometime soon :). I hope someday I can be where you are, but I know it's going to take a LOT more time and a lot more hard work :). thank you :)
Thank you Tabitha for stopping by. I had never heard of T-Tapp before and ventured to the site earlier today. Very interesting (the samples)! I find her concept interesting and will need to check it out some more :). thank you :).
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