Exercise and motivation

If you had told me a month ago that I would be going to the gym at 6 o'clock in the morning I would've said "you're crazy". But as I'm adjusting to my new schedule with work and household duties, that's exactly what I found myself doing. I had planned on doing home workouts in the evening once my daughter went to bed but that was just too hard to get motivated to do. I found myself easily making excuses and reasoning with myself as to why it could wait until tomorrow. I also found myself really really missing the gym. I love the facility that I go to and I was really missing having all that equipment available to me for my workout. 

So since I can't always go in the evening I decided that when I couldn't go in the evening I was going to go in early morning since I was awake anyways. This is taking a little bit of extra planning on my part and I've had to set out all of my clothes the night before. 

The gym that I go to is a smaller gym, so you would think that you would end up waiting longer for machines and stuff but you totally don't. Not to mention The staff knows every single one of their members by name instead of just by looking at the screen when I check in to see who I am and then saying oh hi Kelly have a good workout. 

The past few mornings there have been the same people at the gym when I get there but for the most part there's only two or three of us. On Wednesday for most of my work out I had the gym to myself. I have actually really enjoy doing my workout in the morning. It's a great way to start your day! Plus it helps to get you in a good mind set. 

           

This is a safety device for when you are working out alone. It is connected to emergency services!

At work, I have been taking 8 flights of stairs three times a day (which I thought would get easier but hasn't yet.) as well as doing some fitness classes at lunch on the off days of the gym. My mom and I have been getting out for some walks too now that the weather is nicer. 

It has been really great pushing my body this week. And I will really enjoy some rest time this weekend. I love the slate stiffness that I get in my body when I know I've worked hard!

If you had asked me 7 years ago if I would be working out this hard and taking care of my body and my health I would have smirked and commented something like "I wish". I was way too self consious to remotely wear shorts, I lived in sweats and sweaters hiding from the world. 

As I reread that last sentance I realize that it isnt even living! The things I've being able to do that I never would have been able to do before it's incredible. 

So if you're reading this and overweight and don't know where to begin, or if you have tried and failed numerous times, or if you keep starting and stopping, or you keep saying I'll start Monday you need to take a look at what is holding you back. What excuses are you using? 

Put 1 foot in front of the other and start small. One small change is all it takes. Follow that with another small change and another small change and your whole life will be revamped. I would be lying to you if I said it was easy but if we look at all of the great things in life none of them are easy. I can for sure without a doubt 100% tell you it is worth it. It is worth feeling empowered. It is worth it to be able to keep up with your kids. It is worth it to hit your goal weight and buy new clothes in a much smaller size than you ever thought you'd be ever wearing. 

So keep pushing through and don't ever give up. When you fall get up again. When you don't want to do it anymore keep going. When you're too tired and just want 10 more minutes of sleep kick your butt out of bed and get to the gym! 

Start your healthier new you today, what small change are you going to make??

Away and on plan

Oh wow. What a crazy week! I don't feel like I've sat down in the last 7 days at all (and the next few days are just as busy!). 

Last night we had a soccer game against the 1st place team. 7 of our players showed up. So we started the game and just kinda played anywhere. The other team was very sportsman like and didn't cream us. They didn't taunt us and they didn't go super easy on it either. They played by passing a lot more. 

After they were up by 5-0 we "called it a game" and then played for fun. They gave us 4 of their players and we played 12 vs 11 (we had the 12 lol). It was actually quite fun, not to mention a really good workout!!!

Today I went to Toronto with some of our Nutrie team for a mini training and we had a lot of fun (I think I even found a new babysitter!). We learned a lot and I stayed on track all day! After the conference we went to IKEA and then to dinner at Swiss Chalet - which has some good healthy choices. It feels SO good knowing I can do these things and with a little bit of planning still stay on track and not obsess over what I'm going to eat. 

Today I heard some inspirational speakers who said some intelligent things. 

1. Retreat - take a step back to push yourself forward. 

2. If you keep trying to cut down a tree with a dull axe because you are too busy to sharpen it you will waste more then if you stop. sharpen it. Then get back to work. 

Great points to contemplate - I hope you are enjoying your weekend! 

A long weekend

It’s my favourite weekend of the year. Why is it my favourite weekend you ask? Because it is the weekend I was lucky enough to marry Sean. May 22, 2012 marks our two year anniversary! Since we are going to be gone this weekend we are going to celebrate next weekend.

Today right after work we are leaving for Detroit. We are going to stay there overnight and catch an early flight to Chicago. There is an Online Business Systems training that I had already signed up for and bought my tickets before I took a small step back in the business. We are going to fly in tomorrow and my parents (who are already there) are going to pick us up from the airport. Sean is going to hang out at the hotel and I will go to the training with my parents. In the evening Sean and I will get to site see, but not for very long.

Sunday, same thing. We will be in training until about 3pm and then we are leaving to start driving home. I was hoping for more time in Chicago since everyone raves about that city but I’ll take what I can get.

My back has been feeling better as I mentioned, however, I went back to soccer last night and afterwards it was really hurting. Today so far I am feeling okay, but the thought of sitting the 8 hours in the car on the way home is making me cringe. I am going to make sure I keep doing my stretches and hopefully all will be well.

On Wednesday I bought a new Weight Watcher 3 month tracking journal and was planning on using it once I came back from Chicago. However, I got a huge rush of motivation yesterday and decided to start right away. I think it will be good to keep me on track this weekend. I am going to prove that you can go away on vacation, have fun, and still make healthy choices. Tonight we are going to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner and I printed off the menu so I can pick what I want, although I am really craving a salad (with Blue Cheese dressing, on the side). If we get there and nothing looks appealing we will go to our trusty back up choice of the Golden Corral, in which I will also get a salad, with Blue Cheese dressing, on the side.

Tomorrow I plan on having a shake for breakfast, some type of deli sandwich or something like that for lunch and dinner is still unknown.

My only issue is going to be trying to figure out how I can get in some exercise since most of the day Saturday and Sunday will be spent sitting, and most of Monday will be spent in the car.

My sister is watching Levi for us, and yes I admit this is lame, but I already miss him terribly. I always miss him though, even from the time I leave for work until the time I get home, I miss him lots.

Hopefully I will be able to post over the weekend but if not I will give a full update when I get back. I am hoping to use my time in the car to sort some pictures and hopefully then I will get my Elton John post up (it’s only a month late haha!)