I used to talk a lot about losing weight thru diet and food choices. I was a broken record sometimes on it. But since I'm in my own rut...up to nearly 3 days/week of exercise again...I thought I would revisit a previous, ambitious blog post I wrote July of 2011. I need to be reminded of the importance of exercise and highlight somethings to really zero in on to fully maximize weight loss efforts.
- EXERCISE. Seems like the obvious, right? But how many try to lose weight withOUT exercising? Just start moving. Figure out what you really like to do & do it. If you enjoy your workouts, you'll do them. (How often have you seen people at the gym, w/ frowns, on a machine, not even into it? No intensity? Yea, don't do that.) Find a class, a program, or something you can't wait to do the next day. I'm dusting off my Turbo Workout DVDs to use since I know they work...when they are USED!!!!
- SET GOALS. Most know the story of my husband (http://www.thislittlepiggywenttothegym.com/). His goal was to lose weight, not be a 400+ lb. man, and not die young. My goals have always been little increments of weight. For example, when I was 159 lbs. (after my 2nd born son), I said, "I'm going to get down to 155"...then it was 149, then I said, "I can get down to 145". And when I reach that I said, "If I work out a little harder, kick up the intensity, I can get under 140". I had hit 127 at one point, but my time got devoted to Bible college work. Now, I am starting at 136 lbs. and aiming for 129!
- CHANGE IT UP. I know I said, find what you like...but you still have to change it up. If you like the treadmill. Go from walking to jog...then jogging to running...then sprints w/ jogging. Then try to tackle 5 mi. then 10 mi. Like the stairclimber...turn up the intensity, increase the level, increase the speed.
- USE WEIGHTS. This may take a little homework or you asking someone to help, but you got to have resistance training. (If you're a woman, resistance training helps prevent osteoperosis.) Weight-lifting/resistance training revs up the metabolism, builds muscle, and gives you that toned, defined look. It's a win-win!
These are just some things to get you started. After you've lost those initial pounds, go thru the list and re-apply them. Somehow, some way, we easily steer off course. Reminding ourselves of some of the basics, helps us get back on track. In fact, I need to run....around a track....numerous times!!!!!
Clocking in at the mid-130s....not bad for taking an unplanned break to write my thesis and finish up school. But now that that priority is scratched off the list....It's time to put FITNESS back in it's place!
I am contemplating doing the Volkslauf this October, not sure if I'm up for the MUD! I don't mind running and sweating....I do hate mud though...Hmmmm. Got a few days to decide, we'll see what motivation and courage I can muster up!
Take care and encourage me any way you can...
my waistline needs it! ;)
