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Happy Valentine’s Day!
I wanted to follow up on some of my New Years Intentions,
and I’ve gotten requests for more health + fitness posts!
and I’ve gotten requests for more health + fitness posts!
I challenged myself to 31 straight days of working out in January and I am happy to say that I completed it!
Previously, I was already working out a fair amount,
about 4-6 days per week, but never at this intensity.
The group exercise classes have really upped the ante in kicking my butt.
I used to be able to walk for an hour on the treadmill while I watched a show, but sadly, those days are long gone. Hashtag insert expletives.
I wanted to share a few things I learned by doing this fitness challenge.
keeping track of all of my workouts.
1. It is not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
I already was working out a fair amount, but somehow working out every single day was actually less difficult. Because it was something I planned and knew was not optional, it was never really a burden. I planned my workouts in advance, signed up for whatever classes I wanted to take during the week on Classpass, and it was a done deal.
There were only a few times when I didn’t want to workout, and they were when it was nighttime and I hadn’t fit my workout in in the morning or hadn’t signed up for a class. But since it wasn’t optional not to, I just did it, and after starting I didn’t mind at all.
Somehow 7 days a week was less stressful than 4-6?
2. Just start…. and then you won’t want to stop.
My goal was 30 minutes every day, with the hopes of working out for an hour (30 minutes of Tracy Anderson + at least 30 minutes of cardio). There were days I didn’t think I would get through my Tracy DVD after doing cardio, so I would tell myself that I would just do the ab and arm part (about 10 of the 30 minutes). By the time I was done with the first 10 minutes, I had no problem finishing the rest. Sometimes I didn’t think I’d be able to do the treadmill, so I would just hop on and walk, and by 10 minutes in I felt fine and would jog or do intervals no problem. If I just started, the energy would come.
3. Along with just starting, just put on the exercise clothes.
Put on your exercise clothes as soon as you wake up or as soon as you walk in the door.
If I didn’t, I would put the workout off until later.
If I didn’t, I would put the workout off until later.
3. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
You have to listen to your body.
Somehow in January I never had a time when I felt so exhausted I couldn’t workout, but this past week I came home from work and put on my gym clothes and Kip came in to find me sitting on the couch in our bedroom falling asleep. This NEVER happens. I took an hour nap, and when I woke up, I squeezed in a quick walk and some planks before dinner and was fine with not doing the hour workout I had planned. I needed a break.
4. I finally reached the goals I had wanted to hit for the last 1-2 years.
I still would like to lose a few more pounds, but I have gotten so strong and have the most muscle I have ever had. I don’t like to be specific because
I still would like to lose a few more pounds, but I have gotten so strong and have the most muscle I have ever had. I don’t like to be specific because
I fear an Oprah moment where the minute she wheels out that wagon of fat,
her pants never. fit. again.
Just kidding…. but not really….
And I know this is more related to diet than exercise, but I do think that taking actual cardio classes like Blast and Spinning and pushing myself made a big difference.
5. A foam roller is your BFF. And Epsom Salt Baths.
It helps…. a lot. I have never been so sore in my life.
And it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how beneficial the epsom salt baths were,
but I felt considerably less sore when I soaked versus when I didn’t.
but I felt considerably less sore when I soaked versus when I didn’t.
6. I managed my time so much better.
Since I was taking a lot of classes, my workouts were a scheduled part of my day. In the past I really only worked out at home, so I could put it off or let myself turn my 30 minute DVD into a 45 minute -1 hour DVD by pausing after certain sections to do other things. With the classes it was one hour and done.
7. It’s true what they say about making something a habit.
Since January ended and February began, the only day I haven’t worked out was the day that I flew home from Vegas to Atlanta. And that’s only because I left the hotel before 10 AM and didn’t get home until 8 PM. I still went to the gym at the hotel twice just to get something done and I feel like it made all the difference.
(Keep in mind I worked out already a lot in the past because I know for stress and sanity it helps me immensely, and I love to watch my shows – true motivation!)
This weekend in Arizona we are hiking one day and I will do something else the other days.
(Keep in mind I worked out already a lot in the past because I know for stress and sanity it helps me immensely, and I love to watch my shows – true motivation!)
This weekend in Arizona we are hiking one day and I will do something else the other days.
I have kept the mentality that it is part of my day, not something that is optional, and overall it hasn’t really been an issue.
I signed up for an unlimited month at a spin studio and have been using that as my motivator for February. It is definitely working – I am determined to get my moneys worth!
Kip and I have been spinning together on Sundays since January, too,
and that helps kick off the week on a good start.
OH! And when I really need some extra motivation, I’ll reward myself after a tough class with Kale Me Crazy.
The Recharge and Refuel are my favorite!
There is one on the way home from all of the spin studios I go to,
and one directly next door to Blast.
And I am obsessed.
editors note :
As I say in all of my fitness + health posts,
I know absolutely nothing and can be extremely unhealthy and there is no reason to listen to anything I say
(about anything in life really, not just this).
(about anything in life really, not just this).
But this is what has worked for me.
I feel awkward talking about it but I get so many questions and requests about it that I am trying to do more posts around the subject!
I feel awkward talking about it but I get so many questions and requests about it that I am trying to do more posts around the subject!
I am going to do a post on food in the future as requested,
but a few meals on heavy repeat lately :
My favorite way to reward myself for meeting health goals is something fitness related.
I love new gym clothes, but I still haven’t bit the bullet on any fitness tracker.
I wear a thin gold bangle from my mom on my left wrist every day (and never take it off) but I just can’t do the clunky Apple Watch or big black thick band that screams FITNESS TRACKER.
I just found these options though, and am in love with them.
You would NEVER know they are fitness trackers.
I searched around for reviews on the bangle and it has great reviews,
just that it runs small, but I have tiny wrists so hopefully that would work in my favor!
I searched around for reviews on the bangle and it has great reviews,
just that it runs small, but I have tiny wrists so hopefully that would work in my favor!
For an actual watch instead of just a bangle,
this navy leather band watch is errything.
These don’t look anything like activity trackers,
which is what has kept me from getting one in the first place.
There are so many ugly options! Finally pretty ones!
…. and the cheers with champagne glasses is just an added bonus 🙂
which is what has kept me from getting one in the first place.
There are so many ugly options! Finally pretty ones!
…. and the cheers with champagne glasses is just an added bonus 🙂
I also love the Blush + Gold!
And in the spririt of Valentine’s Day
treat-yo-self to some pink leggings 🙂
// PINK LEGGINGS //
I was wanting to make my February focus on having better sleep hygiene,
but I have failed miserably at that this month….. so perhaps next month?
I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your significant other, gal pals, or family!
Love this! I just started a healthy eating plan about a month ago (no gluten, dairy, alcohol or sugar) and I was surprised at how easy it ended up being for me. I think when you're really motivated to make a true change, things just line up for you like that! Love this challenge though and I definitely want to start being more active
Diet is still my huge struggle, so slow clap for you for the no dairy /alcohol/ gluten or sugar! I feel like I would die! But your right I guess I just need to put my workout motivation towards that – it’s all about the mindset! Did you do Whole30 or just cutting things out?
I am still laughing at the gif today. Love Actually is the best movie! BTW…what is the nail polish on your toes? LOVE it!! XOXO
The best movie ever 🙂 I’m so sorry I have no idea about the nail polish! ! It wasn’t an Essie or an OPI it was one of these random brands and random colors!
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funny story you will appreciate about pink leggings, bought a cute similar pair , wore them to the gym where I do cardio for 30 then about an hour of weights in the big guys section ( move over Arnold ) ……….while doing shoulder presses I look down and my pretty pink leggings have crotch sweat marks ! omg I could see them clear as bell , and wondered who else could see them? cut that weight session short ! ha ! so now those leggings are in my yoga or pilates clothes pile where I don’t sweat as much ! men don’t have to worry about these problems ever do they? Congrats on your 31 days !
Haha Oh my gosh awful!!! I had something similar happen when I wore a red pair once (insert hands covering eyes). I definitely have to think about which pants to put on for a spin class because I would have marks all over! and thanks so much!!