Have a lean, powerful, energetic body that matches the woman inside it

2 months away from this goal for various reasons, and it sucked. I really should have started back on thursday, but that would have been so cliche. Anyway, I told myself today would be the day and looked forward to it all week.

I do like my treadmill. I know real runners hate treadmills, and I can see why. I always have an awkwardness about my pacing, never sure if this is where I run or just walk fast. But once I’m on that thing, I do love the feeling of just doing. Not answering anyone, not getting anything, not planning for later but just being in the moment.

I’m thinking about doing couch to 5k. There I said it.

I’m satisfied. This is not to say that I’m at my leanest, strongest or have six-pack abs! But you know what? That doesn’t matter to me now. I’m happy. I feel good. I’m healthy. I’m making healthy choices and I’m taking care of myself spiritually.

I haven’t been paying much attention to this goal. I can blame a busy summer, travelling, hot weather, joint problems….bottom line is this goal fell down my priority list.

I have managed to lose a couple of pounds and pay much better attention to my eating. But even a serious reboot on my attempts to get back into an exercise routine weren’t working this week. Every night it’s been scouts, soccer, teacher meetings….

So this morning I got woken up at 4:00 by someone snoring. Instead of drifting back to sleep I just told myself “NOW” and went to the basement for a workout. Nothing spectacular. Some stretching and a half hour on the treadmill. Damn, it felt good.

Iggy and I took a walk and it felt so good. With each step I really felt like I was doing something good for both of us. I felt stronger and healthier. I feel healthier in so many ways. My life feels more in perspective, my time is my own (for the most part), I’m moving forward. These changes aren’t just physical; I feel healthier spiritually. I’m finding balance. I’m making time for what’s important to me.

after taking Iggy for a walk and bringing him back home. It felt good. I ran much further than I had expected to be able to without needing to slow down or stop. Then I became aware and suddenly felt the need to walk. Had I not realized what was happening, would I have ran even further without difficulty? Hmmm…I wonder how to put this to the test?

My jeans fit better today than they did several days ago. :)

Iggy and I went for a short walk this morning.

Last night I worked in the yard, planting lettuce and cucumber (to accompany the already thriving tomatoes and herbs!). I also ate a good-sized healthy meal of chicken, corn, potatoes and salad, apple juice and water, leaving me feeling satisfied.

Blame the business of summer, screwed up routines or whatever. But one busy days excuse has blurred into the next day too many times. I’ve now officially declared that I need to hold myself more accountable on this goal and get back on the treadmill (which now involves cleaning the basement, because hubby made a big mess while the treadmill was folded and now I have no where to set it up.

I made a sad, lame attempt at the prison workout. All the prisoners I’ve ever met are incredibly trim straight out of prison. I found out quickly that this takes a heck of a lot of upper body strength and coordination, both are strangers to me.

Really hardcore guys do descending sets of 20-30. As part of this goal, I want to be capable of doing descending sets of 10. Just ten, because I am neither a prisoner, nor a man, and not so young either. So there. Of course right now, I can’t even do one properly, so this might take awhile.

I love how it’s phrased!

I had been doing very well with my eating and exercising habits. However, the last several weeks to month I have been gradually slacking more and more. I really need to get back to where I was (and beyond).

Started this morning by getting my butt out of bed early and taking my dog on a mile walk. That was a great start. It’s time to focus as I’ve noticed a difference lately in how I feel (I feel better when I’m active and eating healthy). A few areas to focus on…

Healthy eating
Walking regularly
Hand-weight training
Crunches
Push-ups
Stretching
Bike riding
Good nights’ sleep
Lunges

and by “week” I’m meaning 8 days…. I’ve managed to get on that treadmill 5 times. I’m trying to do it every day, but 2 days in a row I had so much trouble getting the kids to bed that I had to go into a blankly staring post-trauma reaction for the rest of the night.

And another night I was just making too much progress on putting down baseboards and wild decluttering to even think about running without going anywhere. Plus I bonked my noggin pretty good and was rationalizing a head injury excuse.

Weight is not getting better, not getting worse. Since it was on an upward climb before I’ll take this as a battle won but still at war.

Energy level is very very good. People are noticing it. Too bad it’s not a leaner body getting noticed, but I’ll take it.

I finally finished off my antibiotics today. I definately got hit with that “fatigue” side effect. Decided I’d better get back on that treadmill but take it easy. I did the lowest setting, and still stopped short. Couldn’t push myself to do the last 7 minutes.

But I also mowed the lawn with the push mower today. I think that should count for something.

I must say, I was worried about how I would manage using the treadmill without hubby to watch the kids (travelling). I spent a lot of time getting the kids settled in front of the tv with snacks but they came downstairs anyway. But instead of getting in my way, Son hopped on the exercise bike and daughter made her own treadmill by putting a toy computer in front of a couch cushion and running on the spot. Then we took turns shouting encouragement at each other.