Newton

I think Newton was on to something with this whole law of motion thing. I always learned it as "a body in motion tends to stay in motion, a body at rest tends to stay at rest." I think this comes to exercise too.

I have been struggling with getting moving. Although it isn't much, I walked a half mile yesterday. I used to be able to walk forever without any problems. Then I got sedentary (my body at rest) now I don't want to walk anywhere (it's staying at rest).

I think most people have an issue to staying motivated to work out. There are those lucky ones who like to do it and have no trouble staying motivated. Or maybe it is just a habit. However, most people I know have a really good streak then a long streak of not so good at working out. It seems like as long as they stay in motion they're good to go but once they stop moving their body tends to stay at rest.

I have my iPad. I have a gym membership. I have sneakers. I have resistance bands. I have an iPod. I have a balance ball. I have kind of cute clothes.

I have everything I need to workout except motivation. What do you do to stay motivated? I know one thing for sure, I have to keep it forefront in my mind or I forget to do it if I put it on the back burner or if my life gets busy. I think I might try a trainer because then I have an appointment with someone. Which will get me to the gym because I hate letting people down.

To keep exercise forefront, I have started listening to the Get-Fit Guy Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Most of the stuff is beyond what I'm able to do right now, but it gets me excited and wanting to try these new things out.

Let me know what you do... :)

Ruby My Way

I heard about Ruby probably 3 years ago. I think I chose to not watch because of how close to home it it. I didn't want to deal. Well, I'm dealing now and for some reason I heard of her again, maybe a promo on YouTube or something. I decided it was time to watch.

I'm not as big as Ruby but I'm not super far off. A lot of her problems are similar to my own. Man, I HATE HATE HATE being this size. It is so humiliating, and Ruby has stated the same. She doesn't fit anywhere and breaks everything she sits on. I know the pain. :( But also like her, I'm doing something about it.

I do have some problems with this show (at least the first season) and don't think I won't tell you! hehe

First and foremost, I think talking about food as an a addiction is not necessarily a good idea. I don't the medical world will agree with me, but what I think is missing is the quality of the food. Making it the person's fault but not the food. I have heard before that "we" need to "behave" not make the food behave. That is all find and good as long as the food is good.

Here's the thing, if we are not getting the right foods and we are not feeding our body right, then in order to survive our body desperately keeps the weight so it doesn't die. It wants to survive.

So when we eat these foods that are fake foods we can't help but always be searching for something else. I believe that if she were to eat good balanced foods we will be able to eat the right amount of food with no cravings.

Another thing about the prepackaged foods is that Ruby can't eat if her food isn't around. She needs to be able to have choices outside her meal plan if the meals are not around. Or if she is unable to pack them when she is on vacation, etc.

Secondly, I don't like her mental health professional. I think he's WRONG. Plain and simple. haha! I know, who do I think I am!?! lol I think that he doesn't want her to cook is totally wrong. She needs to learn this stuff. She needs to learn to enjoy and enjoy eating healthy foods. And food she likes. With prepackaged meals, she is not learning anything she is just following someone else plan. Those other folks are not going to be around forever and she will have to do it on her own. I think it's important to do that on her own with guidance.

Then her friend... OH MY WORD! I think they are missing a big opportunity for themselves. Ruby's friends are her life and they really love her. I think what they can do for her, which they do a little, is to learn to eat better and feel better. I think the fact that they go to fast food or eat sweets is not fair to her. I think she needs more support. I think they do what they can but they can take an honest look at them selves and really help her out. However, I think her cravings would be lessened if her food was better.

The thing I like best about Ruby, she's a winner! She conquers her fears and does things she doesn't think she can do. For that, I keep watching. I'll tell you more when I'm done with season 1 or as the mood strikes. :)

The Thorn in my Side

Let's just put it out there, very few people like to exercise. However, I think even in this area I'm a high achiever because I really hate exercise. Heck, I hate to move much at all. Most of my hobbies are those things that don't require a lot of movement. I'm not a huge fan of sports or even being outside to do much more than sit in the shade. This is not a "I'm really fat" thing, it's been a life long problem.

In high school I was lucky enough to find two things I really liked to do, cheerleading and marching band. But after high school, there really isn't a place to cheer or march. I suppose I could cheer in my front yard or march around the block twirling my flag. HAHA! Wouldn't that be a hoot?! However, I'm not that bold.

So here I sit pondering what to do and trying lots of things that haven't worked. I think one of my big problems with exercise is that I get SO bored! I hate being bored. I'm one of those people who watches tv, does a crossword puzzle and reads websites all at the same time. My family prefers when I do nothing but watch a movie when we have family movie time and it drives me batty to just sit there. But I digress.

One thing I have learned is that not exercising is just not feasible. It's just not going to work. So now what??

In the past I have hired personal trainers. It hasn't worked because I get them wrapped around my finger and I wimp out. Not to mention it starts to cost a lot of money really quick.

I have tried things at home. I have tried the gym. I have tried buying equipment. I have tried just walking outside. I have tried having cute clothes, cute water bottle, cute shoes. I have tried a lot of things! Let's just say, it all stinks!

My eventual goal: Run a 5k. I think it is very do-able. I am not sure when. I'm thinking Spring of 2012. Once I get moving maybe I can try the couch to 5k program. I don't believe I could truly start that today. I would never stick with it.

However, I'm not there yet. First step has to be a baby step. Here's what I'm going to do... I love watching the Martha Stewart show. I have an exercise ball and some free weights and resistance bands so I am going to do about 1 hour of strength and stretch while I watch Martha.

I'm starting that today. I will do abs plus legs one day and abs plus arms the next. If I do that Monday through Friday I think it will work out pretty well. There may be some nights I don't get it done so I'm thinking if I shoot for 5 but make 4 that will work. To assess me in these I have found an Apple application. I own a Mac so I'm able to get aps from iTunes that work on my computer. But I think the androids have the same or similar aps. I'm not sure if you can get these aps on a normal PC but I bet there are websites that are out there that can help you out. The aps I'm using are called Daily Ab Workout, Daily Arm Workout, Daily Leg Workout and Daily Cardio Workout. I might try to do a little cardio with Martha, we'll see.

The second idea I have is to get an iPad 2 from Apple. Which I have been desperately wanting anyway. And use it to watch videos or tv shows while I work out. I love to watch tv and I will think of that, not working out. YAY! WIN - WIN!!! My favorite way to do things. ;)

The only problem with the iPad option is they are no where to be found! ARGH! Stupid Apple... good thing for them I can't be mad at them for long because they make such wonderful and fun products!

So in conclusion... I have to move and it's a huge thorn in my side because I don't want to do it!