31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010: Exercise More
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Join us all month for 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010!
Raise your hand if any of your New Year’s resolutions have to do with getting healthy? Anyone? Maybe you’re determined to eat better, cook from scratch more, lose weight, drink more water or exercise more. Now, how many times have you made those same resolutions before? It’s okay — you can raise your hand. I’ve done it too.
I look up to and admire those people who take control of their health, eating more whole foods and less junk, cutting out sugar, exercising regularly, running marathons and so on. I want to be more like them, because I want to be healthy and I want my kids to be healthy and, vainly, because I want to look good.
This year, one of my goals is to get in shape. I can’t even say “back in shape” because I’ve always been one of those girls who did her best to avoid gym class. With 7 pregnancies over 5 years and a myriad of complications that kept me from exercising in the first and third trimesters, it’s all pretty much gone downhill from there. I think my stomach muscles have just given up, frankly. We’re not planning on having any more children any time soon, and I’m ready to focus on getting in shape. With the help of Georgina (the nickname we’ve given our Wii Fit balance board), I hope to achieve that goal.
Obviously vanity isn’t the best reason to commit to exercising more — even if it may be the most motivating — and today Samantha from Mama Notes is sharing 5 reasons you should exercise more!
Although I’m only one week into my commitment to exercise more, here are my tips for making 2010 the year you get in shape:
1. Define your goals.
What exactly is your goal? Do you want to fit into a certain pair of jeans? Hit a specific number on the scale? Be able to run a certain distance? Choose concrete, measurable goals and write them down. It is so easy to get off track when we forget this step. Defining goals that can be measured keeps us on track to achieve them. Without them, it’s easy to become discouraged.
2. Find others who share those same goals.
Connecting with other people who share your fitness goals and are actively pursuing the same things as you is a vital part of making this change in your life. It’s hard to stay motivated without accountability, and a little friendly competition is a great way to stay on track. Samantha also hosts the Body After Baby Challenge, where participants to join together and encourage each other to achieve their goals.
Whatever your fitness goals are, look for people who share them. The internet gives us a huge advantage that our parents and grandparents didn’t have even 15 or 20 years ago. Today, you can find groups for just about anything, and no matter what you’re trying to accomplish, chances are that you’ll be able to find other people who are pursuing the same things.
3. Figure out what works for you.
Maybe you like to connect with other people while you work out, which means a gym membership is the way to go. Or maybe you like to exercise in the early morning before any of your kids are awake. Maybe getting outside and connecting with nature invigorates and motivates you. Or maybe the thought of stepping outside into the frigid air or blazing heat is enough to make you throw your plans away. Take some time to evaluate what motivates you and what discourages you. What excuses have you used in the past for not exercising? Figure out what works for you and then set up a routine around those things.
4. Set a time and a place.
Once you figure out where, when and how you want to exercise, mark it on your schedule and commit to it, just like you would any other obligation. Don’t look at exercising as an, “I’ll get to it if I get to it,” kind of thing because we all know how that turns out. Instead, make it a priority and treat it as an appointment that can’t be missed.
5. Record your progress.
One of the things I love about the Wii Fit is the built-in progress charts. It shows me a graph of my weight as well as a calendar of my workouts so that I can quickly see my progress. You could also take pictures to track your progress or write down your measurements on a chart. Maybe you’re not worried about the way you look as much as what you’re able to do. In that case, you could track how long you workout and how many reps you’re able to do. The point is just to have a physical record so that you can look back and see the progress you’ve made when you get discouraged or hit a plateau.
6. Don’t expect perfection.
Yes, I will probably end every post this month with some variation of this theme. There are going to be days — weeks even — when you don’t exercise. Life and old habits will get in the way, and exercising will get pushed to the side. When you realize this has happened, do not throw away your goal altogether just because you haven’t done it perfectly. Pick yourself up, dust off the tennis shoes and exercise as soon as humanly possible. It doesn’t matter that it’s not January 1st or the first day of the week or first thing in the morning. Make a decision not to let perfectionism rob you of achieving your goals and pick right up where you left off!
Is exercising more one of your 2010 resolutions? What are your fitness or body goals? When and where will you exercise?
The 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010 series is sponsored by Get Organized Wizard. The Design Your Life e-program is a motivating, achievable way to have the life you want!
Yes, getting fit is one of my top goals for 2010 and January in particular.
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)´s last blog ..What do you do when Santa spoils the neighbors’ kids more than yours?
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Good article, thanks!
2. Find others who share those same goals. -> A good website is http://www.peertrainer.com. They have support groups, a daily “Tip of the Day” email programme, articles, and they really seem to know what they are talking about.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Thanks so much, Margreet — what a cool tool!
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i have fallen in love with wii active. i highly recommend it. it makes working out easier for me. i am also one who avoided exercise at all cost. i was never in shape. since having my girls i have decided that i have to give them a positive role model as a woman. ithat is my goal for this year and forever going forward. i love that you have named you balance board i will have to do that.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I might have to look into that, Kathleen — thanks for sharing!
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This is something that I really need to do. I use to run everyday from the age of 15-25. After the first and only baby, that stopped. Years later I started walking and lost 60 pounds. Its been ups and downs the last 3 years. After becoming ill in August, and it taking the doctors over 2 months to tell me I “only” have Anemia I was happy.
Where am I going with this? At 47, I feel I have been given a second chance of sorts. You see, after all those tests, I found out my heart is good, no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, no blood clots, no thyroid problems, nor Diabetes. My big problem…need to lose at least 50 pounds. And that after losing the 60 pounds.
Sounds funny, but I am up to walking 15 minutes a day without stopping. I use to walk 60 minutes or more, this time last year. Ladies, take CARE of yourself. Eat well, take your vitamins(I have read many times over that it’s impossible for most to eat enough to get the proper vitamins and minerals). Take my advise, don’t learn the hard way.
jillybee´s last blog ..Goals for 2010
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, Jillybee! I wish you the best of luck as you continue to improve, and I can’t wait to hear what you’re able to do at the end of the year!
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Last year I started the P90X workout program and loved it! I don’t think I ever achieved a “beach body”, but I did get into shape. This year, I will continue incorporating some of those workouts and also am training for a 1/2 marathon (I’m not a runner!)
I love that I can do both of these things in my home and my children either watch or join in with me!
Jill Foley´s last blog ..#118 – A Great Year
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Ooh, running — I’ve never been a runner either, but I so admire women who are! What a great goal! When is your 1/2 marathon?
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Jill Foley Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
I think I will attempt a 15K race first…there is one on St. Patty’s day. Then we’ll see about the 1/2 marathon!
Jill Foley´s last blog ..#121 – Note Worthy Bible
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I so need to figure out some exercise program… I’m looking for something I can do with the boys for homeschool PE as well so fun for them and fun for me..
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Hmm, that’s a good question, and I’m not sure I have the answer. What is good for little (?) boys AND mom?!
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How did you know my exercising goal starts tomorrow?! Thank you so much for this list. I plan to exercise every morning around 6:30 a.m. I have a certain number of pounds I’d like to lose, but mostly I’d like to be more fit & active, able to do more, like I used to, before I got pregnant, lol.
I’m setting weekly goals, with a different prize at the end of each week — something I really, really want, that I can’t have UNLESS I meet my goal for the week. This was suggested to me at a class I took a few years ago, and I tried it, and it totally worked. I had a 9-week plan, with a different goal for each of the 9 weeks, and I met every single goal I set. It’s the only time in my life where I made an exercise and plan and stuck with it for more than 2 weeks. So I know I can do this. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
So, how’d it go?!
I LOVE your idea to offer yourself a prize at the end of the week! I may just have to sit down and come up with some prizes for myself, LOL!
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Suzy Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
My first week went GREAT! I met each of my daily goals for the week, and so I earned my reward. Now to set the goals for the next week.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Yay!!! Way to go!
Maybe you or your readers can help me out with this: Which Wii game would be a better purchase? Fit, FitPlus, or Active. I also am looking to buy Outdoor Challenge, but can’t find it in stock anywhere. We were so happy Santa brought us a Wii for Christmas, now I want to invest in an exercise game so I can exercise more in 2010. (And lose weight before the big class reunion in May!)
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Hi Barbara! I don’t have Active so I can’t comment on that, but between Fit and FitPlus, you definitely want Plus because it allows you to program your workouts so that you don’t have to go to the menu every 2 minutes to pick your next exercise. I LOVE Wii Fit & FitPlus because they’re fun, motivating and my body feels like I’ve exercised afterwards, so I know they’re working!
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Active is great! I track a lot of my exercise, fitness info on there. Having a crazy year, particularly fall I have made getting back in shape a big goal this year. I would love any and all accountability partners! ALso, any idea on how to get my man to eat healthier with me?!
Laura´s last blog ..Goal 1 & 3 Updates
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Laura, this is such a great question! To be honest, it’s something I struggle with too, but I’m starting to wonder if the approach I take with my kids might help — just have more good stuff and less bad stuff available all the time?!
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Fitness goals for 2010
Finish a half marathon. As a non-runner/jogger, I knew I’d need some help so I signed up for a training group in the walking category. I start training this week. Nervous, but excited to meet new people.
Second is yoga every day. I’m keeping track of my progress on my blog. It’s already been a challenge, so if I didn’t have the goal and the writing about it I would have already quit. Here’s to writing it down!
Tami´s last blog ..Yoga+Music365 (day9) – The Reminder by Feist
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Wow, Tami — I’m always impressed by people who run marathons!!! Great goal!
I’ve just started doing yoga on Wii Fit, and I love it!
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