Total failure

Okay, this is the one month I completely gave up on.  It is somehow the most daunting idea, this "exercise" thing.  I used to love to work out.  Running was my meditation, my therapy, but now it just seems painful.  I come up with a million reasons not to run the moment I decide to go out.  
And just now I am realizing that just because I am supposed to be exercising, this doesn't necessarily mean running.  I have to get that out of my head, because that is the thing I dread the most.
As I said before, I will continue this challenge into the next month.   And I think the only way to get out of my non-committal rut is to design some sort of a schedule with different kinds of work-outs, and maybe throw a day or two of running in for fun, as it will be easier to adhere to something more concrete.  So, tomorrow is DAY 1!  I will post my schedule for week 1 and fit in my first workout.... that seems too hard already....

epic fail

OK I admit it!  I'm hiding from my own blog!  But will start fresh this coming weekend.  The weather has been beautiful and I am ready to get back on track.  I am going to extend this challenge into next month and see how I do.  I need encouragement.  This all reminds me of a saying I learned in elementary school "if at first you don't succeed, try try again."  Will do.

First Run!

Thanks to Bobby for putting the bug in my ear and suggesting I run a marathon (ha!)  Instead I put on my new running shoes (seen above) and went for a thirty minute run.  This was my first run outside in years I am embarrassed to say.  Its a nice mild day out and snow is melting everywhere--so it was a little wet, but not too bad.
I have a few strange things that I must have when I run: I chew gum and absolutely cannot run without putting on my chapstick first.  When running outside I usually don't bring an ipod--I prefer to focus on my breathing, but I needed something to a) encourage me, and b) keep time.    I listened to the Glee soundtrack.  First song:  Don't Stop Believin'--oh yeah, that was great!  By the third song I was feeling a little burny feeling in my lungs, a sign that it had been awhile.  I made it through the thirty minutes pretty well.  And now am suffering from the jello legs.  
I always find this first day of a workout is not too rough, easy even.  Its everyday after that is difficult, in fact some days feel like you have lead feet and legs.
One reason I have not been running in a while is a slight knee injury that I have never had anyone but my kinesiologist look at (he didn't seem that concerned about it--like he didn't say "OMG this is really bad") Frankly it usually hurts after about a month of training, but lately its been hurting just from walking or on snowboarding days.  I do not want surgery, so I need to find some way to be able to run and not have any issues.  I read an AMAZING book recently that suggested this was all possible for me, and now I am putting it to the test.   http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307266303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267644181&sr=8-1
I am trying to change my stride.  Note the super thin and really not that supportive running shoes.  We will see how this all goes.  If you are a runner, or even if you are not, this book is fantastic.
So anyway, one last thing: thanks Bob.  The run felt great.

Shoveling counts!

Today I had to shovel out my soon-to-be father-in-laws car from the snowstorm last week. (he is in VT and I was borrowing his car)  It took me 40 minutes, and after my arms felt like lead weights hanging off of my shoulders.  I was all shaky and weak.  Despite my mothers suggestion that snowboarding does not count as exercise, I believe it does, and so does shoveling.  I realize that for some people shoveling is a common almost everyday occurrence, but for someone who thinks coloring  (excuse me, rendering) is a job, shoveling is most definitely a workout.
This does however, raise the question of "what constitutes exercise?" I think aerobic activity that gets your heart-rate up for a significant amount of time, and/or muscle building/flexibility work-outs.  So when I decide that my "wii-yoga" is adequate exercise, you just smile and nod mom....xo

Happy March 1st!!!

So I finished no soda month with a bang!  I never even had a sip of it on accident!  As I said before I will try to continue this practice for the rest of the year.  I will keep you updated!
And Forward MARCH!!!
I started exercise month (one day early) with a bang!  Basically I rolled around in four feet of fresh powder at a high altitude for 4 hours or so.  Just kidding...I was snowboarding.  It was terrible.  I am not used to riding in powder, and I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day.  I would say that counts towards a day of exercise.
Here are the parameters of this months challenge:  work out at minimum for 30 minutes, 3 times per week.  I want to do more, and I will try, but I cannot commit to more than that right now.  I need to be realistic about this month if I want to be successful.  Usually when embarking on a work-out regimen I would do 30 minutes of cardio 3 days a week with an ab workout, then free weights 3 days a week, resting on Sunday.  That is for when I am feeling hard-core.  I am not feeling hard-core.  I recently finished three years of Grad school  where my muscles had a chance to completely atrophy.  I had maybe three days of cardio within those three years.  I'm feeling really weak... so I'm just leaning into this, and possibly, after this month, and as I get closer to my wedding date, I will become more hard core.
Anyway, this month I will be trying out all different kinds of exercise, to keep it interesting.  Feel free to send suggestions!  (I may even post videos this month!) There is an indoor pool right down the street I can go to, and I want to try Bikram Yoga, which I have never done, and maybe even Zumba classes among other things.  I am not interested in losing weight, just feeling healthier and stronger.
Please join me!

Last week!

I am finishing my last week of no soda month!  I still want it!  What will happen when this month is over?  What will stop me from having a soda????  

Hopefully what will stop me is Exercise Month!  I am gearing up for it, making plans, and recruiting friends to join.  We have a gym in our building but it is not finished, and there are only a couple of machines in there....More planning ahead.  I may have to do all of my cardio outside! (oh no!)  

going stong

I still have not had any soda this month, even though I still crave them!
I am hoping I will continue to refuse soda even after this month--especially after the study came out that Dr. Oz commented on which I posted earlier this month.
So that is the new goal, maybe I should just extend this for the entire year....hmmmmmmm...

January update

My sister commented today that I have posted more frequently this month than January.  Well, soda is so much easier to talk about!
But I thought I would take this opportunity to update all of you on what is going on with the job search.  I am still sending my resume out to people who may be able to help me find work or at least put me in contact with others who can help.
Last week I ordered new business cards that are more specific to what I want to be doing and am spending energy focusing on that as well.
so, there you have it. Hope to be working soon!!!

I watched The View this morning with Dr. Oz

Please check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv9mnaXSrlI

Day 3! Still no Soda!

The afternoons are the hardest time because thats when I would usually have a soda to make it to the evening, when I am distracted with family and dinner activities.  I luckily have a unique living situation where my best friend is a great source of support--as well as my fiancee and his brother, who is also married to my best friend!  More on that later. But I received something in the mail today from health magazine and its a "belly blaster" health card which reads:  "Avoid carbonation. Fizzy drinks are full of gas--and you will be, too, if you drink them.  The result? A not-so-svelte profile."  Thanks Belly Blaster Health Card!!!

first craving of many....

I really want a soda right now....breathing through it....

No Soda Month!

UHG. No soda for a month.  Especially sad since this month crept up on me and I have two mini Diet Cokes tucked away in the fridge calling my name!  (not sure why the pic came out like I was looking in the mirror...I still don't understand how this mac works...)
In high school and college I had a pretty heavy soda habit, which I understand is nothing compared to others habits. I always tried to curb excessive use and keep it to one soda a day. Every once in a while I would give it up for a period of time, but start up again after a while because it is such a delicious and refreshing beverage! But several books, documentaries, shows, and celebrities have convinced me that soda is REALLY bad for me. And it costs money that I could be spending on other, better, drinks.
My drink of choice was Coke for a very long time. And in Grad school, where I developed all kinds of unhealthy habits, I switched to Diet Coke. I don't think one is better for you, but somehow the calories consumed where what made me switch. I don't like club soda or other sodas like sprite, 7-up, or ginger ale as much. By the way, has anyone noticed that ginger ale tried to pass itself off as a natural drink by advertising that it COULD be sold in the produce aisle since it contains ginger!  So anyway, for the month of February all soda is off limits--even in mixed drinks, (thank goodness for beer!)  Hopefully the choice of no soda goes hand-in-hand with several other "good" habits.  Here goes nothing.