Not unlike every other overweight, out of shape American, one of my New Year's resolutions was to get back into shape. Yes, I'm eating right (we'll just ignore that slice of banana cake I had at the Stars game last night... no one has to know about that, right?), and I've already lost a significant amount of weight by just adjusting what I eat. But I want to really be healthy. I want to remember what it used to feel like when I could work out for 3-4 hours a day and love it. I obviously don't have time to fit a 3-4 hour workout into my schedule anymore, but I can definitely work in 30 minutes to an hour a few times a week.
I keep seeing this floating around Pinterest, and it sort of illustrates what I'm saying.
Let me be clear. In my opinion, this girl looked amazing even at 127 pounds. I mean, come on. But you can't deny that she looks better with more defined, lean muscle at 136, even though she weighs more.
So, bottom line - I need to work out, regardless of how many pounds I lose as a result of my diet.
My dilemma has been that I wasn't sure what kind of exercise routine I wanted to commit to. Should I join a gym? Should I get a good exercise tape to do at home? Should I invest in some personal training sessions?
And then I figured that, at this point, I should really keep it simple. If I have to haul my butt up to a gym to burn calories, I won't go. And if there is any chance in heck that Micah might walk in and see me jiggling and bouncing around to a workout tape, I won't do it. (There are just some things a husband doesn't need to know about his wife. In my humble opinion, the extent to which her curves jiggle when set to cheesy workout music is one of them. But that's just me.) And personal trainers are just too darned expensive. Plus, I don't respond super well to tough love. I am the baby in my family and may or may not have been slightly coddled as a child my entire life.
So... I've decided to start running.
This isn't the first time I've tried to magically transform myself into a runner, but I'm really hoping it's the last. My plan is to use the Couch-to-5K plan as a base and adjust it as I need to. I've actually started Couch-to-5K once before and lasted about two weeks before I cursed whoever invented it and threw my running shoes on the highest shelf in my closet. But I know two people who have done it successfully (hey, Rebecca and Melissa!), and they're now like legitimate runners. Rebecca recently ran a half-marathon, and Melissa recently did a 30k (over 18 miles! is about to finish her SECOND marathon! (Yeah, Melissa, I stalk your facebook. Don't be freaked out. :)) And I'm pretty sure they were both self-professed non-runners before. Which is totally where I'm at. I HATE running and always have. I'm this girl.
But I've always secretly wanted to be a runner. I can imagine that's it's therapeutic and stress-relieving, and I love the idea of exercising outside. We've got an amazing pond with a walking trail in our neighborhood that I'd love to take advantage of (since I do, after all, pay the dadgum astronomical HOA fees. It's highway robbery, I tell you).
So I'm just going to do it. I'm going to turn myself into a runner. In the next week or so, I'm going to find a 5K to sign up for, so I've got something to work toward (and so my penny-pinching self makes me train for it so my registration fee doesn't go to waste). And now that I've put it out there for you guys to see, I'm counting on my obsessive need to follow through to get me there.
But on to the really important questions: what should I wear, and where can I find the perfect workout music? ;)
7 comments:
That picture is hilarious of the little girl running. I always get bored listening to the same songs over and over again on my ipod. I usually listen to country music but when I work out I have to listen to something upbeat...like LMFAO or gaga? They will annoy you after you listen to it over and over...so good luck :)
You are so funny! I ordered INSANITY and it is definitely insane. It's really hard but it works. It's a lot of cardio and you DEFINITELY do not want anyone to walk in and see you trying to did it!! haha
C25K changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's the honest truth. When I started I couldn't complete W1 D1. Someone pulled over to ask if I needed a ride. 12 weeks later, I ran a 5k. 1 year later I ran my first marathon (lost 52 lbs in the process)! And I'm about 30 days away from my second marathon! I love that you're going to do it! If you have questions, please email, facebook, pinterest me, whatever!
You'll have to update with how it goes! I tried to start the couch to 5K this past fall and like you, I called it quits at week 2. It's hard stuff! Trying to pick it back up again. Cannot fathom that I will ever be able to run a mile straight (or a half mile for that matter!), but I'm determined to try! Good luck!
Yeah, Audrey, I'm thinking poppy, happy, and upbeat will be best, too. Most of my iTunes library is poppy and soulful, so I'm guessing I'll be purchasing some new music. :) And I've heard Insanity is CRAZY but amazing. Maybe once I get to the point where I can do some legitimate cardio for an extended period of time, I'll give it a try (and just lock the bedroom door when I'm doing it!)
WHOA, Melissa!!! How did I miss that you had already done a marathon!! (Apparently I'm not stalking very well!) That's so amazing! I'll definitely hit you up if (when) I want to give up. I know it's worth it. (And you look amazing, by the way!)
Yay, AJ - we can do this! I'm needing some accountability, so I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. :)
I could have written this post on my blog. This is SO me. ONe of my goals this year is to run a 5k, and I am the same way about paying for a registration. Who PAYS to run a race. Well, I guess I am. So I'm better get my moneys worth. Anyways. .....I too will be starting a C25k program soon. I'm kind of waiting for the weather to get a little bit milder. I have to take my little guy running with me, so it can't be too cold. I know i could start this week because it's going to be beautiful but it's probably going to be 30 degrees the week after that and then I'll have an excuse to stop and then I won't get started again. So I'm thinking I'll starting the program in March. It was a 2012 goal, so I've got all year to do it, but I do want to become a runner!!! You'll have to let me know which one you decide on!! I'd like to run one in May or so before it gets to hot.
Oh and.....about Project Life. I would wait until you have kids. It's kind of like me trying to tackle Project 365 last year with just a dog and a hubby. I love them dearly but I just got sick of taking pictures of them. There is never a shortage of things to take pictures of now that P-Man is around. But start pinning ideas and stuff for when you do start project life. It really is SIMPLE. You can truly do it how every you want. It's totally designed for the non-scrapper....really it's that easy!!
Post a Comment