Exercise: It’s not about the numbers, at least for me it’s not

Many people workout to lose weight or inches.  I’m not.  I weigh myself at the doctor’s office, and even then I don’t look at the numbers.  For those of you who know me you’re thinking, I’m little I don’t need to worry about these things.  True story, I am little by nature, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get chubby! Plus I think if I focused on what my scale said I would become obsessed and that takes the fun out of everything! 

I work out for reasons that can’t be measured in numbers.

1.    I am happy.  Endorphins make me happy, happy, happy.  And feeling happy keeps me focused on the positive.

2.  I am healthier.  I haven’t had a sinus infection in the longest time, and I used to have at least one a winter.  My unprofessional opinion is that jumping around gets all the junk loosened and draining.   

3.  Fewer migraines and fewer headaches in general.  Yes, fewer migraines.  It’s one of the main reasons why I got back into working out.  My chiropractor recommended rehab, and I figured if I was already strengthening my neck I might as well get the rest of my body involved.

4.  Speaking of the chiro…I haven’t been there in ages.  I used to love going to the chiro and needed to go every 6 weeks.  Now my neck doesn’t stay tense and my hip stays in place.  Keeping all my muscles strong helps out on many levels.

5.  Less stress.  When I lift or run or just jump around endorphins release and my mind clears.  I have been known to come home after a rough day and sweat for 30-45 minutes.  Yes, wine can help too. J

6.  I’m setting a good example for my kids.  My kids don’t sit still, just like me, so being sedimentary isn’t a huge issue.  But they can get sucked into the TV and Wii, and during the winter it’s harder to go outside and build forts.  Plus no matter how active they are, they are still predisposed to hereditary diseases that are less of an issue with a healthy active life style. 

7.  No meds.  I would love to not be on cholesterol meds by age 40.  Unfortunately due to family history medication is most likely the path I’m destined.  But if I don’t try to keep those numbers low with diet and exercise I will never know. 

Bonus: My clothes fit better and toned muscles.  I’m not going to lie, I am enjoying that bonus!  However you’re still never going to see me in a bikini!   

If you’re starting your own fitness journey, good for you!!  It’s a hard journey to start, but once you commit it becomes easier each and every day.  If you need the scale or inches for motivation, go for it, but if you think the numbers are going to get in the way, ignore them.  What truly matters is that you are taking care of your body and promoting healthy living.

To Resolve or Not to Resolve....

Welcome 2014!  Wishing you all a merry and blessed new year!

It’s January 2, the day when all your New Year’s Resolutions come to light.  Are you really going to do it this year?  Will they last longer than a week? A month? A couple months?  Who knows?  A friend of mine posed the question on Facebook the other day, and it got me thinking.  I haven’t made a New Year’s Resolution in years (guess you could say that not resoluting is my resolution.  J ).   Why don’t I make resolutions?  Simple, I believe self-improvement can and should happen when one is inspired to do so, not when the “magic” time rolls around.

In July of 2013 I decided that my prayer life and quality family time needed an overhaul.  Finding time for these things is difficult when I’m not teaching, but once school starts it seems impossible. 

 

I have always been great at stashing meals in the freezer but that only got me so far.  So I dove into meal planning, and by planning I mean the first 6 weeks of school with the grocery list on one side and when needed to be pulled out of the freezer on Sunday night on the other.  I thought maybe I was insane, but it saved me TONS of time.  I spend less money and time in the grocery store and less time in front of the stove when I got home.  No spinning mind wondering what we should have for supper only to find out I’d forgotten to pull the hamburger out to thaw.  All this added up to more quality family time and less stress for me!

As far as pray time goes, I asked for help.  I knew I couldn’t do it alone so I asked some very dear friends to pray for me and keep me accountable.  They all had amazing ideas to help keep my pray life solid and fruitful.  It has also created a bond with these women I could have only imagined.  I now get my rosary said on the way to work, bedtime prayers in with the kids almost every night, and other prayers said while brushing my teeth.  I also journal when I can and seek inspiration where God leads, which has been in some crazy ways! 

Clear back in June 2012 I decided I needed to get my butt back in shape for a variety of reasons.  It was a rather difficult decision since I was used to being in shape as a HS and college athlete.  But that was many years and 3 kids ago!  I dreaded the idea of gasping for breath and having every muscle in my body ache, but I started.  I made a list of all the reasons why I was going to stick with working out (by the way, losing weight was not on the list and my list will follow in another post). 

Know what?  My last horrid migraine was over 3 years ago, before I got back into shape.  My headaches in general have decreased and my whole body has fewer issues.  I have more energy now, and I haven’t been really sick in a long time (probably just jinxed myself). 

As far as I’m concerned go ahead and make your new year’s resolutions.  I wish you luck with them, but if they don’t pan out, don’t be afraid to do some self-improvement throughout the year.