“I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.” – Muhammad Ali
"Transformation is not five minutes from now; it's a present activity. In this moment you can make a different choice, and it's these small choices and successes that build up over time to help cultivate a healthy self-image and self esteem." - Jillian Michaels
Many of us have desk jobs and for the most part, that's a good thing because we don't have to work outdoors in harsh elements on a daily basis. But it does mean that our activity levels are not what they should be.
My life has been pretty hectic for the past month or so. I'm spending a lot more time writing and that means, more sitting. No one gets healthier from sitting all day so I have a few ideas on how to give your tush a break from the chair. I've tried all of these and they have helped me to get in some activity when I absolutely have to work on my computer. These can all be done in short 5 minute bursts throughout your day or during your lunch break. And taking a 5 minutes to do this for yourself is MUCH better than using the same minutes to visit the fridge for a scoop of ice cream!
I have a couple of yoga apps on my Iphone that get me moving but my favorite one is Simply Yoga. It gives the option to choose a 20, 40 or 60 minute work out. The app has videos that demonstrate the poses to be used for the routine you have selected. I'm no expert but it has helped improve my balance and flexibility. Looking down the road, better balance will help me when I start trail running in the fall.
I've also taken up what I call "commercial break work outs." These are usually a series of various old-school exercises like jumping jacks, squats, planks, crunches, lunges, calf raises and push ups. This is very effective! You would be amazed at how much you can get done during a 3 minute commercial break! And speaking of "old-school", I found a jump rope in my closet a few weeks ago. I may need to bust that out for some quick cardio!
Another thing that I do is run "laps" out in the breezeway in front of my apartment. I like to take Big Baby along when I do this. It gets us outside for a few minutes and makes us both pretty happy!
So, there ya have it! A few ideas that are easy, effective and, best of all, CHEAP or FREE! All you have to do is invest a few minutes of your time to make them work for you. You (and I) have no excuse to not get in some exercise when it really is pretty easy to fit into even the most fast-paced day!
Happy Trails!
Valeka
Showing posts with label work out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work out. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Jeans
Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola. - Diana Vreeland
I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes. - Yves Saint Laurent
I have a favorite pair of jeans that I have a love/hate relationship with. I hadn't tried on those jeans in a while. The first time I tried them on this year was January. The weather was chilly and I needed to wear jeans so I decided I would attempt to wear my favorites. Much to my chagrin, they didn't button or zip. They weren't gaping open but still, point is, they weren't wearable. I got annoyed and threw the jeans into a dark corner of my closet where I couldn't see them. The hate part of the relationship was in full swing.
February rolled around and as I was organizing my closet, I found them. I pulled the balled up denim out of the corner, shook them out and tried them on. They zipped and buttoned but they were tight. I had more than a muffin top. It was like a giant wad of bread dough had been wrapped around my midsection. It was puffed out over the waistband and there was no disguising it even with a big sweater over the top. I tried to look at the positive - at least they closed this time - but again, unwearable. I hung up the jeans and forgot about them...until this past Wednesday.
I was going to a co-working luncheon and wanted to wear jeans. I opened my closet door and rifled through to see what I had. Nothing seemed right for my outing. That's when I saw THEM peeking out from behind some dresses.
Reluctantly, I pulled the jeans off of the hanger and held them out in front of me. I pursed my lips and thought "what the hell". Expecting a repeat of the January or February fittings, I slipped my legs in, slowly zipped and buttoned. I was surprised and had to double check to make sure I got THE pair from the closet. No sucking in of the gut; no laying on the bed to zip 'em. They fit. Not only did they fit, they were loose. And better still, I wore them with a tank top...and had no roll over . Major progress! It was pretty exciting. I strutted my jean covered butt into that restaurant and felt pretty damn good. I was in love again.
The coolest part is that I haven't starved myself to make it happen. There has been no deprivation, insane workouts or long miles. It's getting done with consistent, moderate activity combined with eating clean and healthy. I believe the biggest factor has been that I am eating unprocessed foods. Very few prepackaged, prepared foods make it into my house. Cooking at home helps me to know what is in the meal I'm eating. No surprises or weird things I can't pronounce and it's making a difference. It's all in the jeans!
Happy Trails!
Valeka
I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes. - Yves Saint Laurent
I have a favorite pair of jeans that I have a love/hate relationship with. I hadn't tried on those jeans in a while. The first time I tried them on this year was January. The weather was chilly and I needed to wear jeans so I decided I would attempt to wear my favorites. Much to my chagrin, they didn't button or zip. They weren't gaping open but still, point is, they weren't wearable. I got annoyed and threw the jeans into a dark corner of my closet where I couldn't see them. The hate part of the relationship was in full swing.
February rolled around and as I was organizing my closet, I found them. I pulled the balled up denim out of the corner, shook them out and tried them on. They zipped and buttoned but they were tight. I had more than a muffin top. It was like a giant wad of bread dough had been wrapped around my midsection. It was puffed out over the waistband and there was no disguising it even with a big sweater over the top. I tried to look at the positive - at least they closed this time - but again, unwearable. I hung up the jeans and forgot about them...until this past Wednesday.
I was going to a co-working luncheon and wanted to wear jeans. I opened my closet door and rifled through to see what I had. Nothing seemed right for my outing. That's when I saw THEM peeking out from behind some dresses.
Reluctantly, I pulled the jeans off of the hanger and held them out in front of me. I pursed my lips and thought "what the hell". Expecting a repeat of the January or February fittings, I slipped my legs in, slowly zipped and buttoned. I was surprised and had to double check to make sure I got THE pair from the closet. No sucking in of the gut; no laying on the bed to zip 'em. They fit. Not only did they fit, they were loose. And better still, I wore them with a tank top...and had no roll over . Major progress! It was pretty exciting. I strutted my jean covered butt into that restaurant and felt pretty damn good. I was in love again.
The coolest part is that I haven't starved myself to make it happen. There has been no deprivation, insane workouts or long miles. It's getting done with consistent, moderate activity combined with eating clean and healthy. I believe the biggest factor has been that I am eating unprocessed foods. Very few prepackaged, prepared foods make it into my house. Cooking at home helps me to know what is in the meal I'm eating. No surprises or weird things I can't pronounce and it's making a difference. It's all in the jeans!
Happy Trails!
Valeka
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Lessons vs. Mistakes
It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes.- George Washington
All men may err; but he that keepeth not his folly, but repenteth, doeth well; but stubbornness cometh to great trouble. - Sophocles
This week, I was far more consistent with my work outs. I managed to get in a zumba class, a 4 mile walk at Town Lake and multiple 30 minute trail walks. It helped my energy level and my ability to handle some stressful situations that popped up during the week. I'm moving more which is a step in the right direction BUT, I am still falling very short in the healthy eating department. I keep repeating the same mistakes when it comes to what I eat. I am aware that I am eating poorly and that ultimately the decisions I make will impact me later in life but I do it anyway. I don't understand why we continually hurt ourselves with bad choices when we KNOW that it isn't the wisest thing for us. If given the choice between a cupcake and a bowl of berries, I will pick the least healthy option just about every time. I have always believed that mistakes are lessons in disguise and without them, there can be no progression in life. So what does it mean when we willingly give in to the same set of circumstances and repeat the same mistake over and over again? Does it mean that we are content with our current state of being? Or does it mean that we are regressing because we are not doing anything to improve our life? Something to consider and applicable to so many aspects of one's life.
Today's agenda includes a trip to the grocery store to buy some healthy eating options. I'm hoping that will keep me from eating garbage because my selections at home will be healthier. My plan is to go back to my mostly raw diet (although I detest the word "diet" and prefer to think of it as a "lifestyle"). I need to retrain my brain to seek out those foods instead of the fatty/salty/sugary things I have been eating. One of the things that helped me tremendously in my previous weight-loss ventures was giving myself a day to eat whatever I wanted without guilt. It allowed me the opportunity to have the things I really love and not feel that I was undoing all of the good I did for my body during the week. It kept me from making some big mistakes. I am trying to treat each of my meals as a lesson in making better choices for myself. My hope is that by improving those decisions, I will also find it easier to make better choices in other parts of my life as well (i.e., the job situation). I have to start with showing myself some tough love. I know what I need to do to succeed and I need to keep myself from deviating from that mindset. The last thing I want is to be one of those people that keeps running around in circles making the same screw ups but can't seem to figure out why things aren't changing. My thought for myself (and for you) this week will be "learn the lesson, move on and do not repeat". We can do it.
Happy Trails,
Valeka
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Change Up
Everyone has a 'risk muscle.' You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day. - Roger Von Oech
This week I shook things up by trying a different type of work out for the very first time. My heart will always belong to running but boy did I enjoy the Zumba class I tried this week! What is Zumba? It's a high-energy workout that incorporates Latin dance to make exercising FUN!! I am a total sucker for Latin dance rhythms so how how could I possibly say no?? The fun upbeat atmosphere was just the kick in the pants that I needed. I had such a great time and Craig, the instructor, was a blast! It is a very intense work out (I was sweating like a farm animal by the end of class) but if you have the chance to take a Zumba class, by all means go for it!!!
It felt great to do something different. When I recounted the goings-on of the workout to my BFF, she commented on my through-the-roof energy level and asked me if I preferred it over running. The answer was "no" but I had to think about it for a minute! I never thought I would enjoy another form of work out as much as I did that Zumba class. I know that it's best to change up the work out routine but that has never been something I have been good at doing. Sure I will do yoga here or there and swim every so often but I have never really added a different activity to my program. This may be "the one" that I stick with on my non-running/wogging days. There were so many different movements that were involved that I normally don't use but they could still help improve my running. Lots of lateral movements and hip movements that require flexibility. Different muscle groups are needed for many of the dance movements and it felt great to stretch and work those out. Running works mainly the lower body but Zumba works everything including arms and core. It also helps with coordination and stability which are key to running well. I especially liked that the level of impact can be tailored to what your specific needs are - adding more bounce to your steps increases the impact; keeping your feet closer to the ground lessens the level of impact. If you have knee or ankle issues, it is best to keep it low impact. I think that for my next Zumba session, I will KT Tape my formerly sprained ankle to give it some added stability (I'm still paranoid about reinjuring it).
So this week, I will enthusiastically return to my Zumba class to shake what my momma gave me! If you haven't tried a new new form of exercise lately, I highly recommend doing so. It can be fun and enjoyable and full of laughter. And who doesn't need a little bit more of that in their lives?
Happy Trails!
Valeka
This week I shook things up by trying a different type of work out for the very first time. My heart will always belong to running but boy did I enjoy the Zumba class I tried this week! What is Zumba? It's a high-energy workout that incorporates Latin dance to make exercising FUN!! I am a total sucker for Latin dance rhythms so how how could I possibly say no?? The fun upbeat atmosphere was just the kick in the pants that I needed. I had such a great time and Craig, the instructor, was a blast! It is a very intense work out (I was sweating like a farm animal by the end of class) but if you have the chance to take a Zumba class, by all means go for it!!!
It felt great to do something different. When I recounted the goings-on of the workout to my BFF, she commented on my through-the-roof energy level and asked me if I preferred it over running. The answer was "no" but I had to think about it for a minute! I never thought I would enjoy another form of work out as much as I did that Zumba class. I know that it's best to change up the work out routine but that has never been something I have been good at doing. Sure I will do yoga here or there and swim every so often but I have never really added a different activity to my program. This may be "the one" that I stick with on my non-running/wogging days. There were so many different movements that were involved that I normally don't use but they could still help improve my running. Lots of lateral movements and hip movements that require flexibility. Different muscle groups are needed for many of the dance movements and it felt great to stretch and work those out. Running works mainly the lower body but Zumba works everything including arms and core. It also helps with coordination and stability which are key to running well. I especially liked that the level of impact can be tailored to what your specific needs are - adding more bounce to your steps increases the impact; keeping your feet closer to the ground lessens the level of impact. If you have knee or ankle issues, it is best to keep it low impact. I think that for my next Zumba session, I will KT Tape my formerly sprained ankle to give it some added stability (I'm still paranoid about reinjuring it).
So this week, I will enthusiastically return to my Zumba class to shake what my momma gave me! If you haven't tried a new new form of exercise lately, I highly recommend doing so. It can be fun and enjoyable and full of laughter. And who doesn't need a little bit more of that in their lives?
Happy Trails!
Valeka
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Dress
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. - Buddha
It's been rather hectic lately and, unfortunately, hectic in my world means little to no time for exercise. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing a little exercise here and there but nothing that is going to make me a size 10 again. I have had the pleasure of hitting Town Lake a couple of times over the last few weeks with a new but awesome friend and we have had some wonderful talks. Our hour walk flies right by! I have missed my Monday post-work runs with my other friend Jen but I hope we can resume those soon (those runs really make me test my limits in this heat!). I have been taking my big puppy for more walks although they have been short ones because the weather is so incredibly hot and I don't want her to overheat. Luckily there is a greenbelt trail behind my home that is fairly shaded so we are able to do some nice little walks during the day.
One of the things that has taken a lot of my time lately is finding a dress for a special event I'm attending. I want to look beautiful and have had an image in my mind of exactly what I would like to wear but couldn't find just the right dress on any of my outings. And, of course, I am carrying extra weight that makes the shopping even more challenging. Things fit in one area of my body but not another. Or the style was awesome and fit me well but the color was not flattering on me. Or one size was too small, my size was out of stock and the next size up was just too large. I felt like giving up and rocking a mu-mu with some heels instead. I did manage to find what I like to call an "emergency dress" that I could wear in case I wasn't able to find something else. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about - the little black dress that you can wear for every occasion but it doesn't quite knock your socks off (although there ARE some little black dresses that DO look amazing, the one that I bought was okay). I convinced myself that I could dazzle it up with some great accessories and that I would look all right although just looking "all right" was so far removed from what I initially hoped for. I chastised myself for not being more consistent with workouts and healthy eating and skipping breakfast. "This is what you get", I thought to myself as I returned the last rejected dress to the fitting room attendant.
I took a break from the shopping nightmare to get my hair cut and styled which did help to give my esteem a much needed boost. I felt pretty even if it was only from the neck up for the time being. Feeling revitalized, I decided that I would give the dress search one last try. I walked into the final store expecting another let down but there it was - a tastefully sexy dress that fit me beautifully and gave me that oomph I needed. I had to make sure there was nothing wrong with the dress because it would have broken my heart to find THE ONE only to see that it had a broken zipper or a tear or snag. I paid for it and left feeling immense relief. I started thinking that this shopping fiasco was all because I wasn't taking proper care of myself and that if I had just continued on my path and not deviated, things would be fine and I wouldn't have had to go to a bazillion different places to find a dress. And then I stopped myself. I was beating myself up for falling off the wagon. True, I should have been more careful and stayed on track but the negative thoughts were not going to make me feel better and they certainly weren't going to motivate me. Months ago I made a promise to be kinder to myself and banishing those thoughts goes hand in hand with that. While I did have to spend Friday evening and the better part of my Saturday searching for a dress, I did find one. And I love it. I got to see myself looking pretty freakin' awesome (if I do say so myself) and I want that to be one factor that motivates me. Sure being healthy and fit are my true motivations but, quite frankly, I just want to look good and there is nothing wrong with that. Use what you have to to keep yourself motivated. And never forget that you are beautiful even if it takes you a while to see it.
Happy Trails,
Valeka
It's been rather hectic lately and, unfortunately, hectic in my world means little to no time for exercise. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing a little exercise here and there but nothing that is going to make me a size 10 again. I have had the pleasure of hitting Town Lake a couple of times over the last few weeks with a new but awesome friend and we have had some wonderful talks. Our hour walk flies right by! I have missed my Monday post-work runs with my other friend Jen but I hope we can resume those soon (those runs really make me test my limits in this heat!). I have been taking my big puppy for more walks although they have been short ones because the weather is so incredibly hot and I don't want her to overheat. Luckily there is a greenbelt trail behind my home that is fairly shaded so we are able to do some nice little walks during the day.
One of the things that has taken a lot of my time lately is finding a dress for a special event I'm attending. I want to look beautiful and have had an image in my mind of exactly what I would like to wear but couldn't find just the right dress on any of my outings. And, of course, I am carrying extra weight that makes the shopping even more challenging. Things fit in one area of my body but not another. Or the style was awesome and fit me well but the color was not flattering on me. Or one size was too small, my size was out of stock and the next size up was just too large. I felt like giving up and rocking a mu-mu with some heels instead. I did manage to find what I like to call an "emergency dress" that I could wear in case I wasn't able to find something else. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about - the little black dress that you can wear for every occasion but it doesn't quite knock your socks off (although there ARE some little black dresses that DO look amazing, the one that I bought was okay). I convinced myself that I could dazzle it up with some great accessories and that I would look all right although just looking "all right" was so far removed from what I initially hoped for. I chastised myself for not being more consistent with workouts and healthy eating and skipping breakfast. "This is what you get", I thought to myself as I returned the last rejected dress to the fitting room attendant.
I took a break from the shopping nightmare to get my hair cut and styled which did help to give my esteem a much needed boost. I felt pretty even if it was only from the neck up for the time being. Feeling revitalized, I decided that I would give the dress search one last try. I walked into the final store expecting another let down but there it was - a tastefully sexy dress that fit me beautifully and gave me that oomph I needed. I had to make sure there was nothing wrong with the dress because it would have broken my heart to find THE ONE only to see that it had a broken zipper or a tear or snag. I paid for it and left feeling immense relief. I started thinking that this shopping fiasco was all because I wasn't taking proper care of myself and that if I had just continued on my path and not deviated, things would be fine and I wouldn't have had to go to a bazillion different places to find a dress. And then I stopped myself. I was beating myself up for falling off the wagon. True, I should have been more careful and stayed on track but the negative thoughts were not going to make me feel better and they certainly weren't going to motivate me. Months ago I made a promise to be kinder to myself and banishing those thoughts goes hand in hand with that. While I did have to spend Friday evening and the better part of my Saturday searching for a dress, I did find one. And I love it. I got to see myself looking pretty freakin' awesome (if I do say so myself) and I want that to be one factor that motivates me. Sure being healthy and fit are my true motivations but, quite frankly, I just want to look good and there is nothing wrong with that. Use what you have to to keep yourself motivated. And never forget that you are beautiful even if it takes you a while to see it.
Happy Trails,
Valeka
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Gear
Don't follow trends, start trends. Frank Capra
One of the best little "extras" that I use when running is my Spibelt (http://spibelt.com/). Aside from being a local business (they were created right here in Austin), Spibelts are fantastically slim, no-bounce waist pouches for storing keys, a cell phone, cash and anything else you may need because the fabric flexes. They are easily washed with the rest of your work out clothes. Spibelt's accommodate a larger person without binding or cutting into you (trust me on this one - I'm far from being a size 4 and mine is very comfortable). Can't be without mine when I hit the trails!
- A hand-held, ergonomic water bottle isn't a necessity but boy is it less cumbersome than holding on to a standard water bottle while running! I use to drop conventional water bottles when I would run with them because they would slip out of my hand. Problem solved with the Amphipod (http://www.amphipod.com) Thermolite water bottle. Not only is it a life-saver in the Texas heat but the bottle's ergonomic shape fits nicely in your hand. This particular one has a handy-dandy zipper pouch on the hand-strap (a good place to put your lip balm!).
Chafing is an issue that a lot of bigger runners have to contend with and I am no exception. For me, compression (or tech shorts) shorts are a necessity. They keep chafing at bay when running long distances and they eliminate the dreaded ride up of traditional running shorts. They reduce friction from the repetitive thigh on thigh motion that's involved with running. I have some Nike shorts that are wonderful because they have a little pocket in the back below my waist where I stick my cell phone. Compression shorts are available in many brands and lengths. I know they are snug-fitting and show every little imperfection but they are so worth it. Seriously - give them a try and see how much more comfortable you feel when you run.
- I will admit that I am a bit of a sock snob. I have tried sooooo many pairs, brands, styles, fabrics and weights and I think that I have FINALLY found the right ones for me (http://www.thorlo.com/performance-socks.php). Socks are kinda like shoes - it doesn't matter how expensive or highly recommended they are if they make your feet angry, you are going to be miserable. Wearing the wrong socks can cause painful blisters or friction leading to open sores on your feet (and who wants that?!?). Heck, I have even had some big blisters that turned into open gashes that bled all over my socks and shoes. Have the scars on my heels to prove it. During one of my first long runs, I wore a pair of regular cotton socks. Cotton is notorious for retaining moisture and when that moisture is trapped inside of a pair of hot running shoes along with equally hot, sweaty feet, blisters are created. Massive blisters that should have their own zip codes. I had to hobble the rest of the way home and wore slip-on shoes for the next few WEEK until they healed. I didn't stop running but I had to literally duct tape gauze to my feet so that there would be no friction on the open wounds. Sounds pretty, doesn't it? I know what I'm telling you - buy good socks. SmartWool, Injinji and Thorlo make some great socks and they are worth the cost.
Sports bras are super-duper important for lady runners. When the girls get to bouncing, it can be downright painful. Moving Comfort (http://www.movingcomfort.com/) sports bras work well and are reasonably priced. They are not the prettiest things but they keep stuff from moving and minimize bounce significantly. The straps are adjustable with heavy duty velcro tabs and can be criss-crossed to be worn with a tank top. It does give a little bit of the "uni-boob" appearance but if given the choice between that and having too much bounce, I will gladly take the uni-boob look.
- Another great item (also created in Austin) is Rocket Shower (http://www.10nine8.net/index.html). I love, love, love this stuff!! After a work out, I like to spray this on before getting in my car to drive home. It keeps me from funkifying my car seat and it cools the skin leaving behind a nice scent. Just spray it on, leave it on for about 30 seconds and wipe dry with a towel or do what I do - spray it and leave it. Either way works just fine and kills post work out B.O. Rocket Shower is made with witch hazel and essential oils so it's not harmful to your skin. It's perfect for people that work out during their lunch hours and aren't able to take a proper shower. They even sell a handy-dandy travel pack that has a small bottle of Rocket Shower along with a microfiber towel. Pretty convenient!
So those are just a few of the items that I use to get me through a run. They aren't fancy but they do the trick! Give 'em a try and see if they work for you as well. Keep on moving!
Happy Trails!
Valeka
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Running Around
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - Benjamin Franklin
Have you ever had one of those days where you run from work to pickup kids or fur babies (one of mine goes to daycare - yes, daycare for dogs but that's a story for another time), then run to the grocery store, then run to the pharmacy, then run to meet friends, and then.....you run out of steam? You have no motivation to run much less cook dinner. Most of us have busy lives and find it challenging to work out and eat well while juggling hectic schedules. This is when we take a tumble down that all too familiar slippery slope and end up rolling smack into those golden arches and ultimately landing on the sofa to watch a junky reality show. Goodness knows it happens to me (remember my pizza encounter last Monday?). Running around sometimes keeps us from doing something that is very important - taking care of ourselves. So what do you do to keep this from happening?
Have you ever had one of those days where you run from work to pickup kids or fur babies (one of mine goes to daycare - yes, daycare for dogs but that's a story for another time), then run to the grocery store, then run to the pharmacy, then run to meet friends, and then.....you run out of steam? You have no motivation to run much less cook dinner. Most of us have busy lives and find it challenging to work out and eat well while juggling hectic schedules. This is when we take a tumble down that all too familiar slippery slope and end up rolling smack into those golden arches and ultimately landing on the sofa to watch a junky reality show. Goodness knows it happens to me (remember my pizza encounter last Monday?). Running around sometimes keeps us from doing something that is very important - taking care of ourselves. So what do you do to keep this from happening?
The best solution I have found is to plan ahead. I try to plan out meals (lunch AND dinner) the previous week. I will be honest with you, it's a pain and requires lots of organization but boy does it help out during the week! I wash, chop and package veggies during the weekend. I split containers of Greek yogurt into individual portions. I cook chicken breasts ahead of time and pack them away so they are ready for post-run meals and/or lunches. I even make a batch of oatmeal the night before so that in the morning, it just needs to be warmed and some fresh fruit added. Trust me - the moment I deviate from this plan, pizzas get ordered or burgers get picked up at drive-through windows. Why? because those foods are CONVENIENT. Chopping broccoli is NOT convenient; french fries ARE convenient. That's why drive-throughs, take out and delivery have become our "frenemy". Let's face it, there are going to be times when we have no other option but to order something at the local greasy spoon because we are too busy to chop six different veggies, steam rice or cook a piece of salmon. We just need to try our hardest to not make that a habit - again. Running requires a lot of energy and as we learned in science class, calories = energy. If we follow that line of thinking, then a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese and fries should give us TONS of energy for our run, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong! Running requires clean burning fuel and junk food is far from clean. If you want to be able to have a productive run (or insert your exercise of choice here), it's important to watch your diet. I am very proud to say that I have been doing this for the last couple of weeks (unfortunate pizza encounter aside) and feel SUCH an improvement in my energy level.
Finding time for work outs can be tough, too. Back in the old days, my brother and I use to be out at 4:30 AM to run before I had to be at work at 7AM. It was insanely early but he and I both knew that if we didn't do it then, we probably wouldn't run after work because we would be so pooped we would just lay around like slugs. I'm not saying that you should get up that early but I did find that getting my workout in before my day started helped to get things going in the right direction. An added bonus was that I didn't have to worry about squeezing in a run at the end of the day if something unexpected came up. My best friend, on the other hand, prefers to run in the evening. She has said that she feels like she is letting go of all the crap that happened during the day if she runs after work. There is no right or wrong time to run or work out, do what works best for you, but by all means do SOMETHING. Even if you take a quick thirty minute walk during your lunch break, it's better than skipping a work out. The point is to have more work out days per week than non-work out days. That's gonna make all the difference in the world and help you reach your fitness goals.
So this week, be kind to yourself, eat well and get in a few walks if you aren't able to hit the gym. You are worth the extra effort.
Happy Trails,
Valeka
So this week, be kind to yourself, eat well and get in a few walks if you aren't able to hit the gym. You are worth the extra effort.
Happy Trails,
Valeka
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