Lately, I’ve gotten a little off track with my workout schedule. My journal isn’t as colorful as I would like it to be (see What is a Colorful Workout?) My son is out of school for summer and I haven’t quite figured out how we are going to schedule our time. I was hoping to have the schedule figured out before school finished but once again, perfection escapes me.
In the past, if I got off track I would either a) enjoy the detour and realize how easy it was to not have to find time for exercise, or b) dive face first into a hot fudge sundae, or C) beat myself up over not being able to be consistent, or d) all of the above.
I’ve matured a little and now I realize that beating myself up over getting off track is not very productive. I just tell myself, “Get over it and move on!”. And that means to just start again, moving in the right direction. If I’m feeling a little down on myself, I like to review my workout journal from a period of time when it was “colorful”. I then try to get another workout plan going again as soon as possible.
The hot fudge sundae is no longer a part of my detour. However, I must confess that I still have a weakness for a little Starbucks drinky-poo (which wouldn’t be so bad if it was a low calorie kind). So, once again, perfection escapes me.
What do you do when your workout plan doesn’t happen as planned? How do you get yourself back on track?
Okay, so this video is total silliness. I found it hysterical. I’d bet that you laughed too. Usually comedy is funnier when it’s close to the truth. And the truth is: the floor is a good place to get a great workout. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy using my exercise equipment just as much as the next guy (or girl) but there is something so natural, so Jack Lalanne-like about doing good old-fashioned exercises on the floor.
In case you don’t know who Jack Lalanne is. He’s the Godfather of Fitness and he started this movement many, many years ago. Since then, the fitness industry has seen some tremendous changes. But under the heading of, “The more things change, the more they stay the same” - some of the most effective exercises that researchers have found today are: crunches, push-ups and squats. Guess what? You can do them all, without equipment, on the floor. You do have one, don’t you? If not, call 1-800-THE-FLOR
I started this week with a workout schedule in hand. So far it’s been awesome! I can tell it is working because I have had some sore muscles. And I am also writing in my exercise journal. Not only does this give me something to look back on to track my progress but it also gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.
I like to add colors to my exercise journal. It makes it look more exciting plus it somehow looks as if I accomplished more (hey, I do whatever I can to fake myself out). I use different colors for upper body, lower body, abs and cardio. The journal helps to keep me motivated because if I miss a workout my weekly calendar (what I use for a journal) will look very dull and boring that day. I like to try to keep my calendar as colorful as possible because I know that a good-looking calendar will mean a good-looking me!
What about you? Do you write out your workouts? Do you have any tricks that you do to trick yourself into working out? Leave a comment…
I must admit. I LOVE my stability ball. My stability ball is probably the most versatile and inexpensive component of my home gym. I use it for stretching, doing ab exercises, squats, and lifting weights.
I even use it as a chair when I’m not working out with it. Why in the world would I do that? Because it is better for my posture and it keeps my muscles working even when I’m not working out. The other added benefit of using it as a chair is that for some reason, it keeps my energy level up. When I’m sitting in a static office chair my body gets stuck in one position and then I feel like I need a nap. But when I’m on the ball, I am constantly moving in little ways and that keeps my brain awake. Plus, it’s fun to bounce up and down on it like a kid.
If you have yet to discover the wonders of the stability ball, check out this video. It is a great introduction to why you would want to include it in your workout, what size you should get and other things you might want to know. If you already have a stability ball as a workout partner, then check back here soon because I will be posting some stability ball exercise videos.
Okay, I must confess…I am way off track with my workouts. Am I still working out? Yes. Do I know what I will be doing for a workout when I wake up in the morning? No.
I used to plan not only when I would be working out but also what type of exercises I would be doing. Somehow, I have gotten out of that habit and it has a direct impact on my fitness level.
So, what am I going to do about it? Well, don’t rush me. I was always taught that the first step is to “acknowledge that you have a problem”. (Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that I’ve had this problem) It seems like just when I have my ducks-in-a-row, the dog rushes through the pond. That’s a metaphor for “Life Happens”.
So, what I plan on doing is to come up with a workout plan this weekend. I’m giving myself a couple of days because I have a feeling the dog is going to be “rushing around the pond” for a little while longer. But the important part here is that I’m giving myself a deadline to come up with the plan. In my “plan” I’m going to write out when I will be exercising, whether I will be doing cardio or strength training and which exercises I will be doing. Even though I am dreading coming up with the workout plan, I am truly looking forward to the positive impact it will have on my health and fitness.
Do you struggle with the same thing? Talk to me… while I chase the dog around the pond.
I like resistance bands because they are a great way to get in a gym quality workout that can be done at home without breaking the bank or devoting half of my living space to it. Plus, I like a lot of variety in my workouts. And, they’re just plain fun.
Using resistance bands gives me a good, solid strength training workout. And strength training is an important component to my fitness program. (and it should be to yours, as well). It is important because it prevents bone loss (osteoporosis) and muscle loss. Also, with increased muscle mass, our bodies will naturally burn more calories during the day when we are doing our ordinary activities (like watching exercise videos online).
How about you? Have you ever tried resistance bands?
Our core strength is a key component to our overall fitness. Sometimes I get tired of doing the same type of crunches over and over again. So, I’m always on the look-out for new ways to change my “two-pack abs” in for “six-pack abs”.
I am constantly being torn between “getting things done on my to-do list” and saving my thighs from being turned into cottage cheese. Sometimes it’s hard for me to break out of the mindset of - if I can’t get in my hour long workout, that means I don’t have time for it, at all. This video reminds me that every little bit moves me in a positive direction (and further away from that cottage cheese look).
