Sunday, June 26, 2011

Jump Start! with 90 Second Fitness

I haven't been exercising since I canceled my gym membership and moved back to Alameda.
I've had some 3 to 4 mile walks, some hikes, a few sit ups... but generally since I've shortened my commute I've just been pouring extra hours into work and then hanging out with my family in a semi-vegetative state.

But that has changed.

Today, I woke up with that renewed sense of urgency to start building a strong leaner body. I grabbed a few books off the shelf for inspiration, and found Pete Cerqua's 90 Second Fitness as the perfect method of doing something to better my body.

90 Second Fitness Challenge #1 - the 90 second Wall Sit. I was able to go the full 90 seconds, so then I proceeded to 90 Second Fitness Challenge #2 - the 90 second Plank. That means I am still at least fit enough for Level 2, so I feel good that a lot of the work I have put into shaping up over the past 6 years is retained.

One thing I think is great about this simple 3 minutes of exercise is the way you then get drawn into wanting to do more.

Set a goal that is easy enough to accomplish, and then get this burst of energy and adrenaline that pushes you to want to do more.

If you haven't read about Pete Cerqua's plan -- check out his website at 90-SecondFitness.com

Cheers!
Jennifer

Saturday, June 4, 2011

In Between Plans

This morning my daughter patted my tummy and said, "You're getting bigger, Mommy!" She was excited -- imagining becoming a big sister. As I informed her that there is no baby, I thought ok it's time for something to change.

Bad habits have a way of creeping in over time. A little ice cream here, a glass of wine there, and then slowly instead of a half sandwich at lunch -- you find you're eating a whole sandwich (maybe with some chips and a cookie).

In the short term it's no big deal. Over time, if it becomes the norm, then slowly your clothes don't fit as well as they used to.

I haven't gotten to the "I can't fit into my jeans!" breaking point, but I am heading there. So I felt that kernel of resolve start to form in the base of my throat. It's like suppressing a scream from within that is calling out, "No!!!!"

After a momentary frenzy of plots and plans - No more ice cream, No more alcohol, No more bread, No more you name it I calmed back down to focus on what I need to do.

So when Eric asked me what I wanted for breakfast I asked for a salad, and he made one with greens, watermelon, melon, and white nectarines. It was delicious. Then, I had a nice snack of a banana with some flax seeds. Cabbage salad for lunch, and now a nice cup of fennel tea.

I also bought some Birch Oil Toothpicks. I am dubbing these my stress relief alternative to chocolate, alcohol and other late night snacking.

Next plan will need to incorporate exercise back into my daily routine.

I am going to re-read a little of Martha Beck's Four Day Win and start out focusing on setting mini-goals that I know I can achieve.

I know I can take this last excess weight off, and keep it off forever. And that is exactly what I am going to do. Starting now.