Tryptophan Ain't Got Nothing On Me

I gave myself a challenge 9 days ago.

In case you were tracking me, or taking on the challenge yourself, I am here to announce that I was successful - only missing one day of the 9.

I think THAT deserves me some turkey.

This was the first Thanksgiving in quite a long time that found me exercising ON the actual holiday.  This morning, I slept in, had a nice kolache breakfast, got the soup going (a wonderful Butternut Squash/Apple soup recipe from the Beachbody cookbook), and then disappeared into my sister's bedroom with my laptop, ChaLEAN Extreme dvd's and two resistance bands for a 40 minute preparation.

Preparation?

For the rest of the day.  Soup, turkey, stuffing, freshly made cranberry sauce, ham, broccoli.  Pie.  Pie.  Pie.

I do indulge at times.

However, it's even more fun to indulge when you know you've not neglected exercise for the days leading up to the food orgy.

Will I workout tomorrow?

You know it.  There's really nothing stopping me. I wasn't able to come up with even ONE excuse to stop me from doing Burn Circuit 2 today.

It's nice to have come to that point where I can always find "me" time.  Even if it's just 40 minutes.

So from now until December 31, I'll continue to issue short term challenges.  I'd love to have you join me as we prepare to usher in a new year.

But for now, shhhh.  Lay back on that couch and take a snooze.

See you at the gym tomorrow!

Exercise Makes Me A Nicer Person

Drop a few pounds.

Lose inches.

Lower cholesterol.

Experience energy.

Increase muscle mass.

Burn fat.

Sure, we all know THESE reasons as to why we should choose INTENTIONAL regular exercise as a personal discipline.  But really, I think the best reason for exercise came out of the mouths of my babes after I reappeared upstairs following my 40 minute workout in the basement.

"Mom, you are nicer when you exercise."

It's true.  My mental state is more clear.  I am better able to manage my emotions.  I feel powerful.  Confident.  Clear-headed.

This isn't a new scientific discovery.  

Unfortunately, exercise seems to be the last "go to" when one feels down, angry, foggy, or stressed.  Most, when faced with these feelings, turn to TV, food, alcohol, or even a cigarette or two.  Or twelve.  The problem?  Both exercise and the "go to's" I've listed here have lasting effects on our bodies.

You're a smart person.  I'll let you figure out which option provides a healthier and happier long term lifestyle.

So, yeah, my kids are brilliant.

Mom is a better Mom when she exercises.

If you have been focusing solely on the physical benefits of exercise, let me encourage you consider the emotional benefits as well.

Your kids will thank you.

On the Heels of "Excuses, Excuses": Setback

I got my regularly scheduled fall cold last week.

Had a great workout on Monday - CRUSHED the pushups.

Tuesdays are my off days.

And then, Wednesday, it arrived.  Right on schedule for November.

Chain-smoking throat.

Congestion.

Headache.

The gang was all there.

I still worked out with my Fit Club Wednesday night, but Th, F, and Saturday were a bust.  Add that to a tough week prior to this one, and I'm just feeling a wee bit off.

Since I've been doing Burn Circuit 1 of ChaLEAN every Monday, and I've not missed any Monday workouts for a while now, I'm going to vary things up and do RevAbs tomorrow and perhaps a Turbofire HIIT.  I need a jump start - something unexpected.  A program where I don't know the routine.  A program I've not conquered.  Having never done RevAbs, I figured I'd throw it in tomorrow to push myself.

My goal from now until Thanksgiving is to workout EVERY DAY (except for Sunday).  That means 9 workouts (10 with Fit Club) leading up to Thanksgiving Day.

After feeling wonky (that's a made up word that my daughter and I use for almost everything - in this case it means inconsistent) these last few weeks, it is super important that I do this from now until the holiday.  Whereas in the past I just gave up between Halloween and New Year's, this year I'm taking back the field.  This season is MINE and I'm taking an offensive strategy rather than accepting the holiday defeat.

Do you have a plan for these next few weeks?

Excuses, Excuses. I'll Show You Mine, If You Show Me Yours

I made them for years.

Excuses.

I am GREAT at making excuses.

For years, my excuse always started with, "I'll start when . . ."

Do you know that one?

"When life slows down."

"When my kids are older."

When, when, when.

WHEN?!!!!

What are your excuses when it comes to starting an exercise program and sticking with it?

Mine are:

• I'll get to it later in the day
• I've got to get the rest of the house clean first
• I can't with the kids needing my attention
• I don't have equipment
• I'm not in the right "season" to make that a priority
• I can't workout alone
• I'll start at the New Year

I used to always have a reason as to why I couldn't exercise.  Now, I always have a reason as to why I CAN. 

I had to RETRAIN my head.  RETRAIN my thinking.

Once again, I'd rather hear someone be straight up and truthful about a lack of consistent exercise, "I hate it.  I don't want to do it.  It is not a priority" rather than using excuses as a cover for disinterest.

What are your excuses?

If you are willing to have me help you stuff those excuses in a steamer trunk, lock it, and then chuck that trunk in the river to swim with the fishes, I'd be glad to help.

PLEASE don't wait until New Year's - that's a sure fire set-up for failure.