Work It Out: Part II

[Tank Top, Yoga Pants, Yoga Mat - Target; Flip Flops - Reef at DSW; Water Bottle - Gift]

Continuing my series on working out and getting healthy, I started with an outfit I wear to yoga.  Which leads me into what I love to do to stay active and a sample workout schedule.  Yoga definitely kickstarted my workout regime.  I found that I really like YogaFit due to it's strength training and ability to get your heart rate going.  

My workout schedule goes like this:

Monday - Zumba: I'm not the biggest fan of Zumba, I find the hype of a little overdone, but I am friends with my instructor and she's wonderful.  The class I go to is non-competitive and a very welcoming environment where I don't feel self conscious about my "Taylor Swift moves".

Tuesday - Yoga: I love yoga.  I love that everyone is good at something and everyone isn't good at everything.  It's a very different type of workout but I've definitely seen my progress which is highly rewarding.

Wednesday - Run: I love the Couch to 5k program.  Seriously, give it a try.  I hate running with a passion, and I'm now running 5ks like it's my job.  I still hate it, but it's very rewarding to be able to do something you never thought possible.  My biggest suggestion - run outside.  I never saw results in my weight loss nor my personal endurance until I started running outside.  

Thursday - REST!

Friday - Do a Pinterest work out for toning

Saturday - Run or Yoga

Sunday - Run (if I did yoga on Saturday) or Pinterest Work Out (if I ran on Saturday)

REPEAT

You may not always stick to this schedule.  Many times when I know I'll have a busy weekend, I work out on Thursday and get two runs in during the week.  But having a set schedule will keep you on track because you won't be thinking "Oh... I'm going to workout... I don't know what yet but I will".  You will have more reasons to talk yourself out of it!  If you stick to this schedule, you'll be surprised at how regimented your life becomes.  My boyfriend now knows Monday is Zumba and Tuesday is Yoga and expects to eat later because of it.

[Headband, Tank Top, Sweatshirt, Leggings, Socks - Target; Sneaks - Asics from Zappos]

Invest in some workout clothes.  If you will be spending this much time in them, you deserve to have some nice and comfortable clothes.  I love Target (we all know this) but I also love their activewear section because it's affordable but higher quality than most stores with those price points.  Remember to layer if you plan on working out outside.  It's important to stay warm which in the spring and fall can be challenging.  I like this light sweatshirt and longsleeve tops over tank tops because they breathe and keep warm.

Also, if you have long hair like me, make sure you have many hair ties, headbands, and bobby pins.  When running, I always have my hair in a high pony with a headband or bobby pins to pin my bangs back.  Sweating and wiping hair out of your eyes is not pleasant.  To that point, make sure your hair is appropriate for your activity, like yoga or Zumba.  I prefer high buns and braided pigtails for these because the ponytail tends to whip all over the place and get in the way.

Finally,

STICK WITH IT!

It's going to suck.  And you will get discouraged.  Just know that you can do it!  Your healthy life is just around the corner.  And like an advisor of mine once said:

Sitting is better the lying down.

Standing is better than sitting.

Walking is better than standing.

Jogging is better than walking.

Running is better than jogging.

You can do it, no matter what the level, and you are on the cusp of a healthier new you!

I Work Out! Part 1

[Shirts (All 3 - White T-Shirt Here), Sports Bra, Leggings, Shorts, Socks & Watch - Target; iPod Shuffle - Apple; Sneaks - Asics from Zappos]

I added this last weird pictures solely to show the weird veiny-ness of my hands.  What is going on there?  I look like a 15 year old with 70 year old hands!

Okay... so anyways... EXERCISE!  I hate it.  That's right, I'm not going to sit here and tell you about how much I love working out and how it's so wonderful and running 5 miles every day is awesome - I get such a rush!  No, I hate exercising.  I hate every minute of it.

But it's incredibly necessary.  

I'm not fat.  I'm not close to fat.  I've never been close to being fat.  Okay, except for the time I looked like this:

(This was a thin day back in the early 90s)

But aside from that, I'm not telling you I work out because of my weight, even though that has something to do with it.  It's all about being healthy, folks.  

First, my whole family is crazy thin.  Seriously, my brother called me the "fat one" for the longest time.  Being blessed with a great metabolism isn't all it's cut out to be.  For starters, high blood pressure runs on both sides.  It's a medical marvel on how such tiny people have such high blood pressure (I have my theories but we can discuss that in an email).  So don't go thinking "oh well aren't they just lucky."  We have our issues, too.  But the luck with weight is a big mask, too.  Because I was never overweight, I never felt the pressure to work out.  And because of that, my endurance was awful.  It was almost scary.  I knew that to be at a healthy weight for me and my body I needed to work out.  That may have meant losing some pounds, but that's ok.  I still eat full meals (I had Sonic today, complete with an Ocean Water, weakness) and snack when I'm hungry, but I am more conscious of my portions.  I'm in love with poutine (french fries with cheese and gravy) and I have some seriously ugly heart disease throughout my family.  Some people may be on the "heavier" side in their mind, but they have perfect vitals.  I on the other hand need to look at food as less of a fat builder and more like an artery clogger.... so I watch what I eat.  And I work out.

Working out is a chore for me.  But I feel guilty when I don't.  And you know what else?  LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.  Things happen, and you never know what is around the corner, but if you could prolong your life, would you?  Of course!  I don't love it, but I love the benefits, and I know I'm a healthier and better person because of it.

So how do you start?

1. Join a gym.  I don't love gyms, and I'm only drawn to them if they have classes, but if you're anything like me, you're going to get what you pay for.  I am more motivated to go to the gym and work out since I am paying for it.  Why waste that money I could be spending on shoes if I don't go?

2. Make a "Work Out" Pinterest board.  There are tons of easy work outs to get you started on Pinterest.  You can even start by following my workout board on Pinterest.  Find ones that seem "doable" and start there.  If you don't know a move, find it on YouTube.  I like researching my moves anyways to make sure I'm doing them right - like one of my best friends told me, "10 seconds of a plank in perfect form is better than 30 seconds not in perfect form" (and she's a reliable source).

3. Find a confidant and motivator.  It's hard.  And it will only be harder before it gets easier.  There will be times when you think "what's the point?"  It took me around 6 months of working out to start seeing results, and that's really demotivating.  Find someone with whom you can share your progress.  Sometimes this person goes through the process with you, other times they don't - it doesn't matter, just have someone you can lean on when you need it.

4. If you think that you're going to add running into your work out regime, I suggest getting an iPod shuffle and watch.  I love the shuffle because it's small and clips on to your sports bra, so it's one less thing you have to worry about.  I also used my credit card points to purchase it, so that was quite a nice little gift to myself that cost nothing.  The watch will be used later (you'll see) but make sure it has a timer and a stopwatch that are relatively easy to use/understand.  It doesn't have to be fancy - I got mine at Target during a Cartwheel 25% watches deal.  Trust me, the iPhone doubling as an iPod/timer seemed like a good idea at the time...

Next post, I'll be sharing my work out schedule.  I am not even close to being a "work out enthusiast" nor do I have enough knowledge to make this a regular occurring topic on the blog, but one of my absolute favorite bloggers out there, Marion, just started a fitness blog (because what full-time working mother with a business on the side doesn't?  seriously, I want to be her when I grow up) and it's wonderful - there are so many awesome people on there, too.  PLEASE check it out if you want to start working out - this group of women (and maybe men?) definitely satisfy tip #3.

MarionBerry Fitness

Here was my motivation for running this past weekend.

Awwwwwwwww