I enjoy exercising. I know that seems weird to most people, but I've always genuinely loved exercising. I learned about exercise at a very young age from my mom, Linda. She introduced Richard Simmon's Sweating to the Oldies to me when I was probably around two or three years old. I loved the old songs, I loved Richard & I loved that everyone seemed to be having fun. Not to mention, I loved the time I got to spend with my mom. As I got a bit older, I began watching Denise Austin on the Lifetime Channel. She was on in the mornings from 6 to 7 am. I loved that her shows were always filmed in warm tropical places and I loved that she always seemed to be having fun. Fun, I've discovered, is a very important factor for me when it comes to exercise. This past summer I began to realize that I wasn't having much fun anymore when I was working out. It seemed like a chore for me to get my butt outside for a run and my workouts in the gym were becoming stagnant. Even though I wasn't having fun anymore, my addiction to exercise was in high gear. I exercised six days days a week for several hours on some days (and that doesn't even include the exercise I do with my clients). My knees ached, my energy levels were low and I became depressed. This past week I hit a wall. I came down with a nasty cold that forced me to stay in bed. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I stayed home for three days and allowed my body to take a break. The pain in my knee has subsided and my body feels rejuvenated. I can't help but ask myself why I didn't take a break sooner. I guess I became too obsessed with my fitness goals and making sure that I look the part of a Personal Trainer. Tomorrow will be my first day back in the gym and I'm genuinely looking forward to it. From now on I plan on listening to my body a lot more and when it screams "stop", I'm going to listen. I have to remember, muscles only grow at rest!
Staying motivated this winter
I'm not a person that would feel confident in writing a blog post, but people are always asking me for advice on working out, nutrition, and staying motivated. For my first blog, I thought I'd share with you some ways that I stay motivated during the winter months.
1. Variety: Variety is the spice of life and is key when keeping up with a workout regimen. Try an exercise class, experiment with new equipment, learn a new sport (think pickle ball, tennis, racquetball, broom ball, etc.) Step out of your comfort zone!
2. Enjoy the Great Outdoors: One thing that keeps me sane during long winters months is staying active outside. It will cure your cabin fever and fight off winter weight! Go for a walk, take a hike with your dog, or dust off those old ice skates. Rent some snowshoes or cross country skis and discover your state parks! Are the roads or sidewalks too slippery? Purchase a pair of Yaktrax for extra traction. Too cold? Layer up! Too dark? Grab a headlamp and wear reflective clothing. No excuses!
3. Buddy Up: Grab a friend or loved one and work up a sweat! Keep each other motivated and accountable. You'd be surprised how quickly the time flies when you've got a fun workout partner.
4. Goals, Goals, Goals: Working towards a goal is one of the best ways to stay motivated and achieving the goals you set for yourself is an incredible feeling. When I began setting goals for myself, my physical fitness level increased dramatically. In the past, my goals involved long distance running, but more recently I've been having a bit more fun with it. For example, a recent accomplished goal of mine was holding a headstand for at least 30 seconds. I'm currently working on completing 10 pull ups and executing a perfect kip (You know, like Bruce Lee).
5. Balance: Are you an "All or Nothing" kind of person? I know many people who will follow an intense workout regimen for a period of time and then fall back into sedentary habits when they've become too overworked or bored with exercising. Find an activity you love and make exercising a part of your lifestyle.