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 outyour 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.
