Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
Getting up early to sweat and “feel the burn” is not my ideal wake-up call. In fact, the last thing I want to do first thing in the morning is exercise. Having this idea that exercise needs to be done in the morning before everyone gets up blocked my progress in 2012.
When evaluating and setting my 2013 written goals, I decided to throw out what I thought was what needed to happen. Instead, I looked at my schedule and came up with a few different time slots where I could exercise and tried it out.
With my free printable Exercise and Water Log placed in a prominent spot on my refrigerator, I have encouragement to stay on track. Thus far in 2013, I have missed 3 days of exercise and 0 days drinking 64 oz. of water. For me, there is something about marking off those glasses of water and noting my exercise. I don’t like to have a missed space unless there is a reason.
If I overdo on cleaning or organizing, I tend to tweak my lower back. So, the days I missed exercising were due to soreness. I have doubled up on one day as I had extra energy. With this system in place, I do not feel that I have to exercise each day, but I never regret spending those 20-30 minutes rejuvenating my energy.
Though I am not the early riser to exercise, I fit in my exercise after dropping off my kids at school when my preschooler joins me, after lunch when she naps, or after my children are in bed at night. Getting my exercise done early helps me focus on the rest of the day, but other times are available if that slot gets filled with other priorities.
Next week, Kay Winders is guest posting on how to fit exercise into your schedule. Moving is good for all of us. As I started off exercising in 2013, I gained almost 10 pounds initially. This is usual for me which is why I get discouraged. However, I know I need the exercise, so I’m ignoring the scale while aiming for healthy.
With almost 2 months of consistent exercise, I recently stepped on the scale to find that I have lost 8 of those pounds which is encouraging. I post my progress on Facebook as a help to those of you struggling along this journey with me. Come join me in ignoring the scale while aiming for healthy. Happy moving!
Question: What are your struggles with exercise?
I’ve recently gotten back in the habit of exercising. Last year I did it every day on my lunch break because as soon as i got home, I was on the go until bedtime. I finally remembered to bring my shoes to work.
Way to go, Erin! My mom used to have 3 pairs of shoes at work: nice heels for when a big meeting arose at the last minute, rain shoes in case there was a downpour at the end of the day, and tennis shoes for getting some exercise. She then wore flats everyday for comfort. We used to tease her that she needed a closet in her office. 🙂
Keep up the great work, Erin, and thank you for the comment!
following your progress on FB… but thought i’d send ya a big congrats on here!! so ***CONGRATS***!!! doing the same battle myself right now and know how great it feels to step on that scale and see a change… never mind how you feel when you are treating your body right. keep up the good work my friend! look forward to the upcoming guest post as well. big hug!! ♥
Great job, Jen! Thanks for the FB follow and the comment. Some days the exercise and water is easy, but other days it feels like a battle. Keeping my eye on the prize of staying healthy is enough to keep me going. Routing for you all the way! Hugs back. ♥