Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's monumental really ... on top of the world ... shout it from the rooftop... I EXERCISED!!!

I really did - after 1 1/2 years of being a non-exercising Heather, I found my running shoes and decided to get in the groove again. With being pregnant, having a babe, moving 2 times, I just wasn't up to fitting that in my life. I was tired.

But I decided I need that stress-relief, the energy, the weight-loss from exercising, and the feeling good about myself from the accomplishment.

A few weeks ago I headed outside and ran when Jimmy was home with the tots.

Early morning...
placid and serene lake...
chirping birds...
cool air (more like frigidly freezing air)...
falling autumn leaves...
sun rays shining through the clouds onto the mountains...
it was a little bit of heaven on earth.

I exercised like 5 times... and then I got a bit of a cold and forgot how much I need the feel-good endorphins from exercising.

Fast-forward to tonight.
8:30 p.m.
I decide to take the challenge and jog on the treadmill.

There was stiffness,
a mini bouncing ponytail,
music in my ears,
a tight hamstring,
a side ache,
sweat,
and there was something in the rear jiggling a bit too much,
BUT... there was also 36 minutes of energy and confidence.

I felt good about my effort.

It's a much better feeling than sitting on my pockets feeling like a frumpy dumpy muffin-top. Oh - I'm still a muffin-top ... but exercising at least reminds me that I'm making efforts and that there is hope to be healthy once again.

Doesn't it seem like a cycle...
~eat yummy fattening foods and you don't feel much like exercising.
~eat healthy foods and drink lots of water and you have the desire to exercise.
~exercise ... and you don't want to have to burn all the calories from the sweet-treats so you have the desire to eat healthier.

Whenever I do exercise, I somehow think I can eat whatever I want, then I stop exercising and I keep eating what I want. Not helpful to the waistline! Gotta get it gone!

It just seems senseless to feel bad over some thing I can affect.  I have the choice to act!

So my goal (please join me so I'm not alone in this!!) is to make efforts during Nov & Dec (short-term goals here - I'm about baby steps) to cut out some sweet-treats and to exercise 5 times a week.

Even if I just walk on the treadmill every day and replace sweet-treats with a cup of water or healthy snack (what is a yummy healthy snack anyways?), this would be a big improvement.

I want to feel good about my health. I want my pants to fit.

Tonight, I like feeling good about myself and the choice I made to exercise.

So... ummmm... yeah, this is my pep-talk to continue onward with my goal.  Jog on!

9 comments:

Carol said...

Nice job, Heath! That's a hard thing to do to get exercising. I'm impressed. I've heard that frozen grapes are a good healthy snack. Anytime you can substitute fruit for something packaged is supposedly healthy. I have to go on what I've "heard" as I have yet to try any of that advice! :)

Marne said...

Good job Heather! It is hard, I KNOW! Like you said, take one day at a time. It does feel good to get moving, huh!

Mary said...

What? Water and celery sticks aren't a satifying snack for you?

Way to go exercising! I'm off to sweat like a maniac for the day...

Kristin Sokol said...

I always ask my self....Why are good habits that make me feel so great and make me look great so easy to break?

Why are habits that are bad, but taste good, but make me feel bad so easy to keep?

That's the constant battle. I'm glad you're winning this one.

Remember...win or lose this battle its a war were fighting. Never give up. (Cue Ryan Shupe song)

Jess said...

Way to go! That's awesome. Over the past three weeks I have started exercising more and "trying" to eat better. It has made such a difference in how I feel too. The weight is not coming off that fast, but I am seeing a little difference. That was my pep talk for myself. :) Keep up the good work!

angela said...

Okay--I guess I'll join you. You've inspired me by voicing all of my thoughts and innermost feelings. But we ARE moving again here on Saturday. . . so I need to be extra creative and motivated. And November/December is the very best time to be good because that's usually when it all goes downhill for me. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Heather. I need to jump on the exercise bandwagon again. Thanks for the pep talk!

abby's photo shoppe said...

Since biggest loser is my favorite show I "heard" that if you are craving sweets then chew on sugar free EXTRA gum. Just a tip. Good luck with the exercising!
Abby

Anonymous said...

Do you have a membership to the Legacy Center? I have been feeling the exact same way...ready to get off my lazy rear end and hit the pavement. They have an indoor track there (among other wonderful things!) If you have a membership let me know and we can circle the track together if you like.