Exercising

As is normal, one of my New Year's goals was to exercise more. Specifically at least 5 times a week.

In all honesty, I've been doing pretty good at it.

Last week was rough. We were watching kids all week, and so I didn't get it in. This week has been a little less crazy, and I've done 2 out of 4 days so far. It's not quite to my goal, but I'm getting there.

A long time ago, a friend gave me some Turbo Jam dvds. I've found that exercising with videos might be my thing.

I'm not a self-motivated runner. I think it's boring, and I don't really enjoy running to just run. I like to play sports, and I will push myself when playing against other people, but it's hard for me to just run (plus, it kind of hurts my knees.)

I enjoy biking, and I started doing that last year before all the snow came...but then all the snow came and I wasn't sure what to do. We've gotten some really good snow storms this year, which I am grateful for, but it makes it really hard to even take the stroller out, especially when its less than 20 degrees F.

So, I wasn't sure what to do.

However, when I started exercising with this video, I really enjoyed it. It was like exercising with a group, but without any of them being able to see you. I hate it when people can see me when I exercise. It's really hard for me not to be self-conscious.

However, I get some encouragement, and doing it with other people (even if they're not really there), really motivates me to keep going.

I had been doing lower-body and abdominal strengthening exercises, but yesterday I decided to do a 40 minute cardio workout.

At about 20 minutes, I was done. I so badly wanted to turn it off and call it good for the day. I had even moved to get the remote to turn off the tv. However, for some reason, I didn't. Instead, I kept going, and to my surprise, it got easier. I wasn't as tired suddenly, and by the end of the video I had more energy than I'd had at the beginning.

Evidently it has been a while since I pushed through my limits. I forgot that you can get a second wind and that after muscles warm up, they are easier to move. I'd forgotten a lot of things.

After I finished, I was feeling really good about myself, and now I'm not sure what kind of exercise I want to do today. Part of me wants to do lower body again (which is where I need the most toning), but the other part wants to give the cardio another go.

Tough choices, but I'm happy that I'm accomplishing my goals.

Another one of my goals was to go outside at least once a day. Kevin needs to play outside, and even though its cold, he loves it. He looks pretty cute all bundled up too.

Kevin helps teach me to get back up after I fall

It's not always easy to go outside either. Some days, I'm tired and don't want to get us both all bundled up. Other days, it's too cold, and I enjoy being warm. However, every time I do it, I find that we really have a good time. 

Goals can be hard, and sometimes it's easy to give up on them, but if we push through the adversity, it will get easier. I'm learning that.

Exercising!

For the first time in a few months, I exercised...by myself!

Last month I played indoor soccer with some ladies from the church, but after gaining a few pounds on our trip and being told by a friend that she'd wondered if I was pregnant, I was feeling motivated to work out. (I wasn't offended, but inspired.)

The only problem is that my inhaler ran out and we haven't been able to get an appointment yet to refill it. So, even though my asthma is allergy-induced, it sometimes crops up when I'm running. My mother suggested that I run indoors, and I decided to give it a try.

So, I turned on a workout video while Kevin was sleeping and started.

I'd forgotten how good it feels to get your muscles moving. I'm not much of a runner (unless I'm playing a sport), but I do love how I feel after I've been exercising.

My favorite probably is riding bikes, but our bikes are still in Idaho, so that's not available right now.

Anyway, I was pretty stoked about the progress I made on my goals yesterday. I did all of them except write, and that's only because I'm working on the surprise animation. Hopefully, you guys like it.

As far as Kevin is concerned, we moved back into our own room last night. He didn't fall asleep until 11:00 p.m., but once he did, I was able to take a shower and go to bed. Unfortunately, I didn't fall asleep for a while, and he woke up about 12:30 a.m. I quickly jumped up, and went to find him. We'd left his door open so he could come into our room, but instead of doing that, he ran to the living room and climbed into the chair next to the computer and started crying. I put him back in his bed, and then I was able to fall asleep as well. At about 4:00 a.m. he climbed into our bed and spent the rest of the night there.

Progress though!

No one told me when I had a baby that showers would be very difficult to take. I pretty much can only shower when Kevin is asleep or Grig is home. That severely limits my options.

Ah well. A few small sacrifices are nothing compared to Kevin. He's worth it, even if I'm a stinky mom sometimes.

Goals for 2014

It actually helps me a lot if I tell you what my goals are, because than I feel accountable to actually accomplish them.

This month, I am working on reading/studying scriptures for 1/2 hour, exercising 1/2 an hour 5 times a week, and writing five pages a day.

So far this week, I have been doing really well.  I've exercised for the last two days using Punch, Kick, & Jam a video workout that someone gave me like seven years ago.  It's made me sweat and I feel a lot better for it.  I'm not a huge fan of jogging, but this workout is working every muscle in my body, so though I've felt sore, I feel great!  I'm also already starting to lose some weight, which is fantastic.

My scripture study has also been equally fantastic. While Kevin has been taking naps, I've been able to accomplish these two goals.  The only problem is that by the time I do these two activities, and sit down to start writing, Kevin wakes up not too long after. 

So, I've only written about a page a day, but goals are for working toward, right?  If it was easy, I'd need to up the goal anyway. 

I think I've also decided that when I finish writing and editing I am going to self-publish through Amazon's publishing page.  I will keep you all updated on that.  That's one of my major goals this year is to publish my first book.  At first, I was hesitant because I didn't know for sure if they published anything besides kindle editions (and I really like paperback or hardcover myself), but it turns out they do publish paperback.  So, that is what I will be doing. 

First, I have to finish writing the book though.  Anyway.  Those are some of my goals for the month.  Another one is to plan my schedule everyday and accomplish household chores as I do so.  That's been going well too.

2014 is starting out really awesome!

I hope yours is going just as well!

Grig's work is starting to slow down. He actually had last Saturday off. That was nice.  We played Settlers of Catan which we bought on Friday. Great game.

Did I ever tell you that I love fried chicken?