Fitness here, fitness there, fitness everywhere!

I was extremely excited when my friend Tiffanii sent me a message on Facebook asking if we should/could start a fitness group.  No brainer!  I have really gotten into exercise and need to stick with it so this was perfect for me.  Turns out, it is for everyone else involved, too!  The members of the group are friends of friends who all aspire to be fit and healthy without much focus on the scale numbers.  The primary goal of the group is for all members to share their workouts or struggles, to give and receive advice/ideas and to motivate and inspire one another to continue on our journey to a healthier lifestyle.  We recognize that we are tired of putting ourselves last and we deserve to be first!

 I started bootcamp again.  I felt so much stronger than I did when I started, but still struggle with some of the workouts.  I am still running everyday but would like to increase how many times in a week and not limit them to just off bootcamp days.  I want to feel like I did in high school when I ran cross-country.  I have lost roughly ten pounds since I started exercising regularly(six weeks ago) and am excited to be closer to my goals.  I did weigh myself the other night, but won't again until weigh in at bootcamp.  This strong body deserves the best and that's what it will get.

Tough Mudder

My roomie (husband) found out about Tough Mudder a year or so ago.  I'm completely psyched it's coming to Hawai'i next year!  I would LOVE to do this with him.  If you want to really test your body AND your mind, sign up for this one!

Fear Has A Name

First name XTERRA, last name Trail Run.  I just signed up for a half marathon in December.  I'm terrified.  Mainly because I've never run over 7 miles, but also because I don't know if I have the discipline to train for it.  I thought about it for a few days before signing up and decided that I wouldn't make any excuses.  I want to run this race and run it well.  Let the training begin!  After I eat this pumpkin muffin.

Motivation

Motivation can be described as the process which initiates, directs and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.  It causes us to act and involves biological, emotional and cognitive clout that activates behavior.  

The three major components of motivation are activation (decision to initiate behavior ie: signing up for a 5k), persistence (continued effort toward goal despite obstacles ie: training for said 5k amidst shin splints, injury, etc.), and intensity (concentration and moxie that it takes to achieve goal ie: getting yourself to the starting line and running through the finish line). 

I often try to talk myself out of running or working out almost everyday.  I come up with a list of, what I think, are validating reasons for why I should be lazy.  Anything from, Miles (my 9 month-old son) waking up frequently in the night, to going to bed too late, to needing to clean my house, to Audrey (my 4 year-old) needing my time, etc. etc.  The list can go on and on and we feel righteous in these decisions because they seem sound.  We lose motivation when we think this way.  Our minds tell our bodies that it's not up for the challenge today.  So we put it off for an infinite amount of tomorrow's and before we know it we are weak, unhealthy and most of all, hating ourselves.  

What motivates you?  Today, I ran with my two youngest in the double jogging stroller for 2.81 miles.  I still can't run long distance without stopping while pushing that beast, but I get out there and feel awesome for doing so.  What's my motivation?  A number of things, really.  I like the way I feel when I'm in shape.  I like the way my size 3/4 jeans feel when I slide them right over my butt no problem.  I like the energy I feel throughout the day after having worked out.  I like how strong I feel.  I mean, what's not to like?!  Sure, there are moments of weakness when your mind tells your body you are unable to push past that threshold while doing push-ups or while running or any number of things you do to your body to better it.  But that pain is temporary.  And that pain, as the Marines say, is weakness leaving your body.  Figure out what motivates you.  Tell yourself everyday you want to be healthy and fit and you will have it.  Because right now, someone who is busier than you is running.

Accountability

I joined a workout bootcamp over a month ago.  I needed accountability, even if I had to pay for it, especially since it's easy for me to talk myself out of working out at home.  It's two days a week (Tuesday/Thursday) for 1 hour and up to me to fill in the rest of the days.  I typically will run or do P90x cardio,  Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, or more recently, workouts that I have discovered on Pinterest. Bootcamp is run by this lil' (yet hardcore) blonde thing who really gets the guilt gears going until they are replaced with a complete lifestyle change.  The thing about health and fitness is, it's not a plan.  It's not for a set amount of weeks and then you stop.  If you want to look at it as a plan, do so, but a plan you'll continue with for the rest of your life.  You have to earn it.  But more importantly, you have to want it.  I really want it.  Bad.  I've completed 4 weeks so far and signed up to do another 4 starting next week.  It's not about weight loss, though that's a perk, but about fitness and overall health.