I think I have finally found an exercise strategy that is going to work well for me. We bought a used elliptical machine for $50 about a month ago, and I have really been enjoying it! I love that I can exercise in my PJs and crocs, the machine keeps track of my speed, mileage, and calories burned, and it is quiet enough and far enough from the kids' room that I can exercise in the morning without waking them up. :) It is definitely not a top-of-the line machine, but it gives me a good workout! Right now I am only doing about 15 minutes a day, but I plan to add a little more each week. Eventually I would like to be spending 30-45 minutes a day on it.
I also bought a used iPod nano with some of my Christmas money! I was really excited about this, as it helps the time on the elliptical go a lot faster if I can listen to music or other stuff while I'm exercising. So far I am loving it, although I need to invest in some nicer earbuds sometime. I have some that I got free after rebate from Rite Aid, and they are just not that comfortable. But they work fine, and the price was right, so I'm not complaining. :)
Another part of my fitness plan involves eating better (especially less sugar) and drinking more water. I've slacked on that in the past few months, and I know I will feel better, have more energy, and lose weight easier if I drink enough.
So those are my physical goals for this year. When spring gets here, I also plan to spend more time outside, going for walks and getting plenty of fresh air. But I love that I now have a good way to exercise inside, for the winter!
2 comments:
Oh yes, the physical goals... they would have to be next and, in fact, on my list I put them first. Not that the spiritual goals are not most important; they most definitely are. I guess I put the physical ones first on my list because I have had such a struggle with them for most of 2010.
I don't really know why the physical goals were such a struggle for me this year. There were some different circumstances and stress on my life that made it hard to find the time to exercise, but I should not have let that make a difference. In the fall I developed an eye problem that restricted vigorous exercise for a short time, but again, I could have spent more time walking. I guess I'll just have to put it down to not being disciplined enough. Anyhow, I am determined to do better in 2011(and so far, so good) -- and here are my goals:
1. To go to bed earlier than I do now. (Not that I stay up really late; I'm usually in bed by 10 or 10:30. But we do get up quite early depending upon how far away Mr. T is working, so I need to make sure I'm in bed by 9:30-10 at the very latest whenever possible.)
2. To exercise -- both my simple exercise routine that works beautifully for me *when I do it*, and walking -- and drink plenty of water every day; to eat more healthfully and get more sunshine and fresh air. In the process, I hope to lose about 25 pounds. I have surely learned this past year the vital importance of exercise and how quickly one gets out of shape without it.
Yay for your eliptical! I really wish I had a treadmill at home but even if we could afford it, I'd have nowhere to put it.
It sounds like you have a good plan in place to reach your goals this year!
I will be starting training for the Indy Mini Marathon again next week. I really need an event like that to keep me motivated. I'm really looking forward to it & hoping that the extra activity will help me get rid of a few stubborn pounds!
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