Gym Wars

This is the time of year I really dread going to the gym. For one, I really love to get my workouts done outdoors, but HELLO, I live in Minnesota. That isn't happening for at least three more months. Secondly, my gym is packed. If you are a regular gym rat, I'm sure you've noticed the same thing this week. While I can certainly respect someone wanting to get into the swing of things for the New Year, I think we can categorize the patrons as such:

1) Year-rounders. This is me, thankfully! These are the dedicated folks you see several times each week - even on New Years Eve morning.

2) New Year's resolutioners who are ready. This was me on January 1, 2004. I was ready! My head was right, I had a food plan, a workout plan and a mental plan. This was going to work because I was ready to do it. And, it worked! Next year, these folks will move into the above category!

3) New Year's resolutioners who are not ready. This was me on January 1, 2003...and just about every other January before that. These people know they should get healthy, but either don't have motivation, a plan, a support system or haven't chosen realistic goals. These people will be gone by Valentine's Day.

4) All show, no go! You know these people and I believe we can break this down even further. You know the gal who is there with full make-up, hair done up and spends more time looking in the mirrors than actual working out. And, you likely know the guy that comes to the gym in jeans rather than workout clothes. He is not in shape at all, so you wonder why he is at the gym in the first place. The worst part - he doesn't wipe the machines. Lastly, let's not forget the socialites. They are there to hang out on the machines while talking, but not to actually exercise.

If you are currently not in categories 1 or 2, continue to read this blog and I will get you there! Support and encouragement is key!

If TNT works, I'll look DY-NO-MITE!

By now, hopefully we are all back in full swing with our workout routines. Even I decided to take a break from my almost-daily workout routine to give my body some rest over the holidays. And, it shows since I'm terribly sore today!

I've decided to go back to a workout routine I tried a couple of years ago called the TNT Get Back In Shape workout. It's a 12-week workout, quick and easy to follow. I have read the book as well, but I don't follow the diet plan (which I closely relate to the Body for Life or South Beach Diet). I think the diet plan could work for some, but I'm more of a Weight Watchers girl.

If you are looking for a new workout plan for 2010, give it a try. Personally, I like the Men's Health workouts better than those I find in Women's Health. If you like to lift weights, it's much more challenging. Keep up a healthy diet and you will see results!

Back to Basics

There is something to be said for having a routine in place. As boring as it may be, it really does help me to have a routine so I can maintain a healthy lifestyle. It wasn’t easy, but I started my day at 5:00 and made it to the gym before they even opened the doors. WOOT! I did a three-mile run (effortlessly, of course…ha ha ha…). I had healthy meals and snacks packed for my workday and it was great not having temptations nearby.

This day was a far cry from how I spent the last 11 days: Talking myself out of going the gym (though I did go a few times), having 11 “last suppers” along with some last breakfasts, lunches and snacks in there, and let’s just put it out there – I took advantage of my free reign of the kitchen. You cannot keep high-end dark chocolate, boxes of snack crackers and REAL cheese in the house and expect me not to touch any of it! The kicker is that I ate many of these treats while catching up on last season’s Biggest Loser on DVR.

While it’s kind of fun to revert back to my old ways of carefree calories, I have had enough of sugary foods and lack of exercise weighing me down. This is proof that I really have made a permanent change committing to an overall healthy lifestyle. I did a full kitchen clean-out yesterday and restocked with healthy foods again. I had a great healthy dinner tonight with leftovers for tomorrow – Jenni-O turkey kielbasa, grilled veggies and brown rice – YUM!

Where to start?

It's a new year and like most everyone, you probably want to shed some holiday pounds, if not more. This task can be extremely overwhelming, so it's important to know how to start and what to take on. Your method of weight loss, whatever it may be, should have these components:

1) Be realistic - If you say you'll exercise for one hour everyday and you are inactive right now, that is not likely. Make this something that you'll really be able to change. Baby steps!

2) Be specific - How do you see yourself at your goal? "I want to fit into my red dress on my birthday in April."

3) Be positive - Don't write your goals in the negative. "I don't want to have a badunkadunk butt anymore" is not a goal!

4) Be yourself - No one can do this for you! Write goals that you have control over for yourself, not goals others have for you or that you have for others.

What is your theme this year?

I think my 2010 theme will be...................................

CHANGE!

There are a lot of things I'd like to change this year - or at least improve upon - so I thought that would be a good theme. I want to make some bigger changes, like potentially a job/career change. But, I'd also like to stick to some small daily goals like making exercise and a healthy diet a priority. This means a lot of planning ahead and journaling.

My husband and I typically write out our goals each New Year's to help get re-focused. This year I'm using this template, so I thought I'd share.

Have a safe and happy 2010!

Thankful

Since it's the end of a long Thanksgiving weekend, I thought this post would be appropriate. I'm pretty bummed because I missed out on the actual holiday due to illness, but I guess I should be thankful about all the calories I saved. I have a lot more to be thankful about this year like friends, family, being employed and being in good health. I am ALWAYS thankful that I decided to turn myself around five years ago. I can't imagine where I'd be now if I hadn't made significant lifestyle changes.

What are you thankful for?

If you always do what you always did...

…you’ll always get the same result. The question I get asked most often is, “how did you do it?” I’ve added a page to my website that explains it all!