Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Challenge Accepted

Some might say that a challenge presented by oneself doesn't really count as an actual challenge.  Pffftt, I say.  It totally does count.  My challenge to myself is one of fitness and health.

Over the summer, while everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is trying to watch what they eat and keep their figures beach ready, I've been indulging.  My kids were home for the summer, and we had a couple of birthdays to celebrate.  With birthdays come cake, something that is not usually present in our home.  There was also the additional snacks in our home that I don't usually keep here...everything from cheese sticks to graham crackers to pretzels.  Now, to be fair, we had our fair share of fruit and yogurt on hand as well, which was never turned down when offered as an alternative to some of the "sweeter" snacks (except by me...I am not a fan of yogurt despite my best efforts).  My husband was here for the summer too, which meant that we dined out frequently because some of his favorite indulgences aren't available to him overseas.

In addition to my poor diet over the summer, my exercise became almost non-existent.  I was taking daily walks with my youngest each morning.  Those dissipated as soon as school was out.  My excuse was that I couldn't leave all the kids here by themselves while I went out and walked.  Two of the kids would wake up at a decent hour, while the other two seemed to sleep half the morning away.  I would use the heat as an excuse as well...it was even too hot to go swimming out back!

My high-fat low-movement regime resulted in an extra 5 pounds that went straight to my mid-section.  Now that school is back in session and my husband is about to depart back to his job overseas, it's time for me to get back on track.  My challenge to myself is to cut the fat and increase the activity level.  I joined a local gym a little over a week ago, and I had my orientation earlier this week.  Challenge Accepted!  The plan is to go to the gym Monday through Friday-every day.  Five days a week, one hour each day. This seems like quite a challenge, especially each morning when I wake up and think to myself how tired I am, how good it feels to just lay in the bed, there's always tomorrow...yadda yadda yadda.  Then, I force myself to get up, get dressed, and just do it.  Who knows?  Maybe this challenge will lead to a greater challenge later on...can you say Triathlon?

16 comments:

  1. Good for you! Here's to hoping you have the success you're looking for. Two years after my youngest and I still haven't made the leap into that challenge yet!

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  2. Thanks! I say it's never too late to start!

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  3. I did great in April and May but in June and July I almost never worked out. It was terrible, I gained what I had lost the two months before! So I have done a lot better in August. I wish I was just one of those people who loved exercising! :) {They do exist right?}

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Stop by again anytime. You are always welcome.

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  4. Thanks for stopping by! There definitely are people who enjoy working out. I'm married to one of them. The concept is so foreign to me but I'm working on it. Just as healthy organic food used to be weird to me but isn't any longer, perhaps my love for sweat and cardio will grow.

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  5. Way to challenge yourself! It's so easy to ditch those good habits isn't it? Are you going to start walking with your little one again? My Little Bit adores our walks. Good luck you can do it!

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  6. Thanks for stopping by! Yes the good habits seem to be the easiest ones to drop. I have officially resumed my walks with my youngest. It was nice to get back out there this morning!

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  7. You and me both!! ARgh...I gained a few unwanted pounds over the summer too. Everything is fitting a little tight these days. New Follower from Super Stalker Sunday.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by! I'm rushing to get these pounds off before holiday season!

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  9. Oh I feel you summer gain pain---I've been trying to be good but Im in the same boat too...I say its great to give yourself a challange! I've just talked with a friends and we are planning on getting each other moving more...biking and zumba classes are the way were going-HOPE we can keep it up!!
    Stopping by with sunday hop(just a bit late =})

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  10. Ooh! Zumba. I've secretly wanted to try that but afraid I will make a fool of myself! Lol. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Good luck on your journey. Mine will be starting in January (expecting in November). Our gym offers a beginners class in Zumba yours might as well. Good Luck.

    New follower- have a Marvelous Monday!
    www.thehickmanfour.blogspot.com
    www.touchofhomelearning.com

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  12. Good luck on your challenge!! I too have started a routine, mostly due to my closely approaching 40...ugh..it doesn't even look good typed out. LOL

    Found you via Managing Monday hop, and following you via twitter!!

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  13. Thanks so nmuch for stopping by! I've returned the follow.

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  14. Sadly, no beginner zumba at my gym...I may have to resort to Wii Zumba to get a feel for it? Congrats on the bun in the oven...how exciting!

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  15. I am going to make a similar goal too. I hope you are successful with this goal! This is my first time here... won't be my last.

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  16. Hope the challenge goes well. I'm the same way, before summer started, I had GREAT intentions and was exercising-doing the C25K program, but once it got so HOT and HUMID, I stopped and NEED TO RESTART. I'm following you from Bee Friendly Friday Follow.

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