Working Out

What is working out to you? Is it a stress reliever? Is it the feel good feeling you get? Does it help you sleep better? Do you worry about your self image? Is it a way to escape from life and blast music in your ears? Or is it simply a routine for you?

For me, it is all of the above except the last one.....I can hardly say working out is routine to me. Although I would love to strive for it to be. I have worked out my entire life. Well, that's a lie...not my entire life. I've worked out since I started playing soccer as a little tyke.....remember those High Sierra days at Echo Loder Elementary School where no matter which goal the ball was kick into, it was a goal...ha, I do! Anywho, I get off track easily! Since 7th grade, I have worked out for real...this was where I started running Cross country and Track. I enjoyed running for some odd reason. I loved being outside running on trails and experiencing nature on my own. I ran all through middle school, high school and into college until school took over. You ask me why? Well, I don't think I can answer that because I honestly do not know where my love for running came about. No one in my family has every been a so-called "runner" that I know of. From this point on, I discovered kickboxing since running gave me the worst shin splints in my life. The workout you get from kickboxing is like something close to amazing. You feel so good afterwards and you are just dripping with sweat! Sorry, that is too much info, but all the toxins are dripping out of your body and to me that is feeling healthy. I love it! I certainly miss the kickboxing days at Freestyle in Reno. I have yet to find a place that comes close to it! I've been to a few here, but not like what Freestyle offers :(

Since living in Madison, we have gotten a gym membership and they have various classes going all week long. I have been going with a girlfriend to the abs and glutes class every now and then, but today was the first time in a long time that I was able to go to the Wednesday class at 4: BODY SCULPT! It sounds more intimidating than it really is. It is using exercise bands, free weights, medicine balls, body bars, and your own body to tone pretty much every muscle. Arms, abs, glutes, legs, probably even ankles since we did a lot of one legged work outs today to strengthen your buttocks! Basically an all in one strength training workout in 1 hour!

I love the feeling you get after a great workout, I love that it helps me sleep better, I love that I feel energized for the rest of the day/night, and I love that I am burning calories! Now I always ask myself why can't I stick to this routine of "going to the gym" at least 4-5 days a week......I will let you know when I come up with an answer other than it is easier to be lazy than to work out! Sooooo LAME! So, I challenge you to add a day or two of working out to your schedule and gradually increase the amount of days you go each week! I love to know that I am doing my body, mind, heart, muscles, and overall health a good thing when I work out. And if you know me at all, I have a lot of passion for keeping healthy.....mainly through eating healthy, but working out is in that equation as well!

Go for a walk for 30 minutes a day....stretch as much as you can, etc. Anything can help your body stay healthy, fit and active. It is so hard to get into routine, but I know you can do it and I know we will all find a way to fit it in our busy lives. Trust me, we won't regret it later on down the road!

Also coming home and cooking is more appealing after I've worked out. Tonight was different because I despise cooking a great big meal for JUST myself when the hubby is on call. Tonight was one of those nights....call nights! So I made myself a banana and peanut butter sammy and yes I felt like a kid all over again with a treat that I splurged on for myself, an iced chai from Starbucks :) Happy Bachelor Monday to you....yes, it is my Monday ritual! So sad, but oh so true! Hope you had a beautiful day and made someone smile.