Started Exercising Again!

I've just started exercising again.

This morning I did Jari Love's Extremely Ripped 1000 Hardcore.

It's been a good, solid two months since I have done any kind of formal exercise.

I'm feelin' it.

Cranky.

Moody.

Dragging in energy.

My Reasons for Starting to Formally Exercise Again:

I know myself well enough to understand that I can't be the best Mother when I don't exercise. Paul is very, very busy. I do a lot of the home/kid/cooking/cleaning stuff by myself, which is good because I feel needed. But, if I am to stay sane, and emotionally stable, I need exercise. I want to be a nice Mommy.

It regulates hormones. Yeah. The girly kind.

It helps my skin stay clear, and vibrant.

I need, want more energy.

It makes me super-happy! I have always loved what exercise does for my own personal happiness.

It builds my confidence in myself. Even if I don't look any different, I feel better about myself knowing that I am taking care of my body.

It helps regulate my weight. While I have dropped the scale, mostly, from out of my life, I can tell by how my clothing fits, whether or not my weight is a little high, or gone down. I don't want to be extreme and eliminate ALL fat from my diet (okay, okay, I like cashew cheese!) and exercise gives me that little bitty wiggle room to enjoy those peanut butter oatmeal cookies....I may post those seeing as how oil free cookies seem pretty popular here, nowadays!

Holidays are coming. I need boosted confidence in myself while visiting in-law family. While I love them, it just feels good to have that social confidence boost.


Winter is coming. Snow is coming. Days are shorter. Darker. I hate feeling all frumpy in winter time. As if dark winters aren't depressing enough. With how awesome exercise makes me feel, I am going to use it as a tool to beat the winter blues.



My Goals:

Exercise at least 4 times a week, for 1/2 hour. Increase time if I feel like it.

Exercise first thing in the morning (around 5:30 a.m.)

Increase overall activity by going on walks with my kids(above and beyond formal exercise).

Save up and buy 2 new workout DVD's a month, to shake things up and make exercise interesting. My absolute favorites have to be Jari Love and Cathe Freidrich.

Take careful notice of how I feel, improved mood, changes in appetite, etc, and respond well. In other words, listen to my body.

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Do you have a formal exercise program? What do you do?

Do you struggle with winter blues?

I grew up in Utah, with cold, dark winters. My grades inevitably dropped down in January. Back up in March and April. I was always so grateful for the anticipation of those spring months. Strangely, I do LOVE winter at the same time. I love the cozy fires, the hot apple cider, pretty sweaters, all that stuff. Snuggly stuff.

Well, maybe typing up my goals for you to see will make me take some personal accountability. Stay true. Keep going.

I am excited, and I hope you have a beautiful Friday, with a wonderful weekend! (See? I am already happier! I am using words like beautiful, and wonderful!)