Love/Hate Relationship.

Those dang spin classes get me every time. Yesterday, my friend Molly and I went to a spin class, and I was really pumped. The last time I went, I barely survived. As in, I faked turning the knob the ENTIRE time and rarely was able to stand up and ride, simply sitting on my rump and still panting like a dog. I was a mess. But I was thinking that this time, I'd do a lot better. 

And I did. Just a little, but it's progress! This time, I was able to turn my knob, though I still faked it a few times. I was also able to do the stand-up-and-act-like-you're-going-up-a-hill move, even though I know in real life I would have just gotten off and walked. No lying though--all honesty here--I had to really cheer myself on. This is embarrassing to share, but it is true. If you can do all that spinning without shouting little mantras in your head, then more power to ya! You are incredible!

At one point, I was sure that my legs were going to just fall off my body and lay on the ground. And at another point, I was sure that we were almost finished because I was sweating and feeling a bit numb, but we were only 10 minutes in. Then, she had us stretching while standing on one leg, and all I could think was "Are you serious!?!" My little leg was shaking like a leaf. That's when I was certain my tush was about to meet Mr. Ground. I mean, these spin classes are serious, even if you don't do it full-out. I love it because it is an intense workout, where I KNOW that I'm going to get some work done. At the same time, I hate it because it is an intense workout, where I KNOW I'm going to pass out, walk out of the room for fear of embarrassment, or both.

But you know what--it felt good when I left. I may have been hating myself through it, but afterwards, I was encouraged. So worth it. Go be encouraged!

--A

In case you can't read the captions:

Top Left: Post Work Out (talking to Molly outside then driving home)

Bottom Left: Work Out! (Spin then stretching)

Right Column: How I felt after...

Goin' to the chapel...

and we're gonna get married!

Ok, so it may look like I enhanced that sparkle in the ring, but I didn't! It was such a bright, sunshiny day that it did it all by itself. 

Talk about a new source of motivation. Though I'm wanting my changes to be more lifestyle and not temporary, it really does help to have a more definite thing to work towards, a more specific deadline. Even though my mini-goals are weekly, it's different when you have something in the back of your mind to keep you a little more accountable. 

With that being said, I did not achieve all that I wanted to this week. I did not work out four times. Bleh. I won't make this long because there isn't really much to say, except I need to push a little harder. I need to stop being lazy, quite honestly. And I definitely need to stop overusing the idea of "tomorrow." I'm not sure about you, but it is really easy for me to say--ehh, I'm really tired today, so I'll do just a really, really good workout tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes, and I say it again. 

But instead of guilting myself right now (because I'm really good at that), I'm going to be positive and know that I'll pull it off. And honestly, writing this was embarrassing enough as it is!

(found on Pinterest - http://marathonsweetheart.com)

--A

Fall down 7, get up 8...

I hate running. Hate. It.

I see all these people running and enjoying it and talking about how it is their time to clear their heads and blah, blah.

Not how I feel.

Give me a bike...I can dig that. Weights, sure! But for the life of me I cannot seem to get into this running thing.

I want to. I don't want to run miles and miles every day necessarily because I don't feel like it is great for my body. I do, however, want to be able to do some races. It just does not come naturally to me and it takes WORK.

Last year a friend and I started a couch to 5k program and we were doing pretty good with it until February when I pulled/tore a calf muscle running. Seriously, I thought someone shot me in my calf when it happened. Once I recovered from that (in my lovely boot, thanks to the ortho doc) I got my wisdom teeth out and as previously mentioned t Amanda, had a really awful time. Ended up with dry socket and was miserable for almost 2 weeks. I think I tried to run once or twice after that but I felt defeated because I couldn't pick right back up where I left off. I'd lost some of the stamina that I had built up, so I just stopped.

A group of my girl friends have decide to do the Macon Mud Run this year in March, which is a 5k. So, I gotta start running. I am determined to succeed this time! I want to prove to myself that I can do it.

On top of the mud run, I am doing a Disney race in May with another friend. So excited about this one!! I figure maybe if I add something I totally love (Disney) with something I don't (running) I can convince myself that it is actually fun!

So, I am trying...once again. Not gonna let it defeat me. Not everything in life comes easily. Actually, most things don't. So if you fall down, get back up and try again!

- E

Is there anything you can't do or have a hard time doing that you wish you were better at? Can be workout related or life related?

Just call me Chameleon.

Adapting to my circumstances.

Yes, I know that it has been over a week. But I've got something to say. No, I did not already "fail" my resolution. I had to take a detour and make some little revisions--hence the Chameleon. Why?

Well one Thursday, my teeth began hurting so bad that I cried and just laid on the couch. All day. This rarely happens--not my teeth hurting (which they really don't do often), but I mean me crying. It was bad. I was talked into going to the dentist--an emergency appointment the next day. And voila! I'm put on antibiotics, medication to mediate the pain, and strict instructions to get wisdom teeth out ASAP. I'm telling you. I attempted to exercise on the medication--bad, bad idea. I knew I needed to reevaluate until I could get the teefies fixed.

Luckily, I was able to get in with JW's dentist to extract my wisdom teeth the next week. Needless to say, I've been out of being able to do a "real" workout. I attempted to make small changes by parking far away and taking the stairs, but I decided to move on to my other mini-goals that were workable with  what was going on with me. I drank more water (MG 3) and ate more fruits--mushed (MG 6). Not ideal, but I knew that I had to adapt. Not exactly how I wanted to start out the New Year, but life happens.

Life Happens. That is what this blog is all about. Figuring out how to make good health decisions while living a real life. Hello, everyone (or most everyone) has to get the wizzies out. And people deal with the recovery differently. Some are better the next day, and some aren't better for two weeks (Ahem, E).

I just wanted to update you with my little bump in the road. I am feeling much better, so I'm going back to my original MG of exercising more. Here's to adapting and moving on!

--A

By the way, check out this blog The Petite Athleat. E and I LOVE her, but she's been getting some flack lately. She's actually part of what made us want to start this little shindig--very inspiring and real!

To Resolve or Not to Resolve...

That is the biggest question going around right now. Do I make a New Year's Resolution or not? There has been a good bit of criticism on making resolutions, saying that many people fail by the next week. Others say that resolutions are not the changes that we actually need to make--meaning they are only temporary and not permanent changes.

So I was trying to decide if I wanted to make one, and I decided that I do. To me, making a resolution for this year is a step in the direction to making a lifestyle change. Basically, I'm resolving to follow my resolutions, taking it a step at a time, toward a large lifestyle goal in the end. For me, it is much, much bigger than a simple New Year's Resolution. I plan to have a large goal, with smaller resolutions throughout the year, in order to obtain that big one.

I looked up ways to stick to your resolution, and I decided to follow one of Forbes' models.

Pick one goal (though it can be multi-faceted). 

My ultimate, lifestyle goal: to become a happier, healthier, more fit person (broad goal, right?).

Put your goal in writing.

I'm doing that here!

Set Action Commitments.

Basically, these are short-term commitments to your larger goal. (Mine will be re-evaluated as I go. In the following list are things I would like to implement one at a time. When I am comfortable, I'll add another. Don't worry--you'll be updated.)

Goal Setting Partnership

This is basically making me write down if I achieved my goal or not and having someone there to see it. I'll be doing weekly check-ins with you and my sister right here!

REWARD!

This is TBD, but it will be something for myself like a pair of shoes, maybe a pedicure, or something along those lines.

So, I have started with Mini-Goals 1 & 2. I'll check in with y'all a week from now to see how it is going. When I'm ready, I'm going to pick up another goal. Most likely, I'll pick up 3 pretty quickly, so I don't pass out doing MG 2. 

Now, I'm sure some of you are saying "What? Four times a week--that's nothing!" And some of you are saying "Four times--that's more than I can do." I decided on four times a week because it is a pretty hearty goal for my current lifestyle and schedule. With classes, working, and co-curriculars, four times a week is really pushing it. But I knew that in order to make an actual change, I can't just do something easy. It must be challenging.

This is where E and I will vary a lot. Our lifestyles are different, so our goal/resolutions won't be the same--if she even chooses to resolve in the first place. Just know: do what fits you, your lifestyle, your goals and desires. Do what you do. 

--A