Working On My Fitness

Working on my fitness (as Fergie says) is what I'm going to be doing over the next few months! Since I've already begun my countdown to summer I figured I better start getting bikini ready - which (full disclosure) is something I tried to start many times. I've made some pretty good changes since I've been married - I'm now cooking at home most nights of the week, I've cut out most processed and pre-packaged foods and my husband and I go on a walk several nights a week.

However I realized a few mornings ago as I was running the 3 blocks to my train, that I am not very cardiovascularly fit! My heart wasn't hurting or anything like that, but I was definitely pretty out of breath after only a five minute run! I've also noticed that I don't like the too full feeling I have at least once a week when I've eaten more than I needed. It just makes me feel yucky, sluggish and bloated.

We only have one body. I saw a man last summer who had lost his legs, swimming in Lake Michigan. He hoisted himself out of his wheelchair and pushed himself into the water and began doing laps. That image has always stuck with me. If he can do, why can't I?

So I've decided to commit to some small changes with an short term goal of losing 20 lbs. Here is how I'm going to do it:

1. Move my body every day for 20 minutes. No, it's not a lot of time but there is absolutely no reason that I can't walk or dance for 20 minutes a day. And if I do it every day, it will add up.
2. Commit to during a cardiovascularly challenging exercise at least 2 times per week. For me, this is probably going to mean running which I do not particularly enjoy - nor am I good at it. But I love a challenge, so I'm going to start running 2 times per week.
3. Strech and move more during my work day. Like many people, I sit at a desk all.day.long. Sometimes I find that I've sat in front of my computer for hours on end barely moving a muscle. Not good. So I'm going to get up at least once per hour, walk around my floor and stretch out my arms, legs, neck and back.
4. Commit to eating "lighter". I am a girl who loves cheese, buttered toast and dessert. I'm still going to eat all of those things, I'm just going to eat less of them and more fresh vegetables and fruits.

Yea! I feel better already.