Fit Club: The Short Attention Span Edition

I clearly have a short attention span.  During the six months that I've been doing the Fit Club posts, I've mentioned at least six different type of exercise that I've started:  Perfect Push-Ups, Nikki Fitness, going to the gym, hula, walking, Wii Fit, swimming, 30 Day Shred.  Oh, that's 8.  And today I'm going to add one more.  Like several other SpouseBUZZ authors, and many of you, I've started the Couch to 5K running program.

Couch to 5K is a regimen of running and walking that helps you to build up from not running at all to being able to run 5K without stopping.  (That's about 3 miles for the metric-challenged.)  You run three days a week, for 30-40 minutes including the warm-up and cool-down, and gradually increase the amount of time you are spending actually running.  There are a number of podcasts available that combine music with verbal cues so that you don't have to spend the whole run checking out your watch.  I gave in a bought a little MP3 player just so I could use it when I "run."  (I feel like a fraud when I say I'm going running.  It is just so absurd.)  If you've always wanted to be a runner, this might be a program for you to try.  The program is designed to take nine weeks but people often choose to repeat a week if they aren't ready to move on.  I love the challenge of completing the program - hopefully that will help me to finish this!

On the nutrition side, I discovered how much better I was eating when I went to a party the other night.  There was the usual assortment of goodies, including a cheesy, gooey artichoke dip.  I had some, well, maybe more than some, and then felt absolutely awful for the rest of the night.  I guess my body isn't used to that sort of food anymore.  I don't even know that is a good thing - I want to be able to enjoy all food when I chose to eat it.

Now for the actual report:  It is working.  It is slow, and it is frustrating, and sometimes I wonder why I don't quit.  Then I sit down, look at my journal, and see how far I've actually come.  And I'm motivated to continue.  I have lost about half of my total goal, and I'm pretty much on track to make it by February.

I'm sure that I will be looking for more exercise ideas when I lose my enthusiasm for my current loves.  What are you doing?  How is it going?  Are you happy?  Share your joys and sorrows in the comments.

Comments

[tankerswife]

I broke down and joined a gym. And then I took it a step further recently and signed up with a personal trainer. It's not cheap, but very well worth it. I'm on track to lose the weight and tone up by Christmas.

My trainer has me doing something called Dynamics. In a nutshell, its centered on constant motion, keeping your heart rate up. Rest periods usually involve doing jumping jacks, or running in place, or sitting on a ball doing curls with one leg in the air.

Its exhausting, but effective.

[Melanie]

Today was my first day of Couch to 5K! My husband just got orders to Hawaii, so I am feeling the pressure! Thanks for posting about the podcasts; that'll be much more convenient than looking at my watch all the time.

[Love My Soldier]

I am doing the "4 FAST MILES" by Leslie Sansone. The program is about 50 minutes long, and it only cost $12.77 at Wal-mart! Plus, included is a pedometer that keeps track of your steps, calories burned, and helps you move towards your goal of a healthy you.

Leslie challenges you to do her exercise for 10 days straight, and boy...I'm on my 8th day and I have already dropped 4 pounds! I couldn't believe it! I still have 18 more pounds to go for my weightloss, but I am feeling great and seeing the results.

If you have knee or joint problems, she has 2 of her members remain at a slower but constant pace. You will sweat! But it's all good because you do the walk/jogging all at home, in front of you tv! I recommend her dvd to everyone!

Be blessed this week!

[nguardwife]

So I am having issues with getting motivated. Since marrying my military man, I have gained 40 LBS! I guess thats what happens when you get happy and settled. Some days I just feel like there is no time, or that the couch is where I need to be! Do you have any suggestions for getting motivated to be active?

[aion kinah]

I'm planning to buy Wii Fit Plus since I believe that it would help me and my guildmates in WoW and Aion Online to shed off the fats we gained while having fun at the same time. Good thing Wii Fit is invented!

[Krista]

Ack! (Okay, I have NOT been checking in regularly... sorry!)

I've been struggling with the shape that my body is currently in, vs. how I want it to be and what I want to do. I started c25k, but hurt my knee (not seriously, but at my weight, I have to give it some time off so it doesn't *get* serious); then started walking and am feeling real foot pain...

So.

I'm left with pretty much anything I can do that keeps me in the house. Ugh. But on a brighter note, I remember that, last year, I was quite re-shaping myself with my TaeBo - and if I'd kept it up, I'm *pretty sure* I'd look drastically different.

All I need now is to start going to bed on time so I'm not just entirely dead all the time, LOL...