Thursday, January 13, 2011

Bringing Sexy Back

Well, sexy might be pushing it. But I'm finally starting an exercise program to bring something back from my pre-baby days. While this extra layer of flab may be keeping me warmer this winter, I'd like to be able to trade it in for a cute bathing suit this summer.

The hardest thing about exercising, in my opinion, is just getting in the routine. In order to get results it's important to stick to some level of consistency. There are a million programs out there that guarantee results as long as you adhere to a 5 day workout plan, devoting an hour and a half to each day and sticking to a strict no carb diet. Let's face it - who can realistically do that? Maybe for a month, yes - but as a way of life, I don't think so.

For me, a three day work out plan is ideal. I can devote 45 minutes to an hour to each of these days. As far as diet goes, I just try to make healthier choices. Instead of the usual 4 scoops of ice cream, I will now settle for one. Instead of a bag of chips, I will snack on a mini bag of popcorn.  I'm a snacker by nature so I would be foolish to think I could cut all snacking out of my diet.  It would also be silly for me to think I could eat only raw veggies and fruit as my snacks and be satisfied.  I'm not preparing for a bikini contest here - just want to get back into some sort of shape - and preferably not round.

The program that I have chosen to follow is the Couch to 5K plan.  Running is the one exercise that I know I can always do no matter where I am.  It doesn't require a gym or equipment to get in my day's worth of exercise and the plan is based on 9 weeks.  That's really all I need.  Once I've reached that point successfully I can then run on my own without any sort of aid.

Today is day 1 of the program.  This is the starting point: 
Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

I will use my blog as a motivator by recording my progress.  My brother, Tim, also mentioned that he is starting to train for the Chicago Marathon so maybe I can feed off his energy a bit too.  I'll need as much motivation as I can get.  Trust me.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

2 of my neighbors are doing the same program and they both lost TONS of weight. 1 neighbor lost WELL OVER 50lbs. and the other lost 30+ lbs. Good luck with the program, and I'm sure it will be no time, b4 your walking around in a bathing suit looking great.

Kylie said...

Mark is in his second week of Couch 2 5K... :)

Score said...

It worked for me. Good luck!

Sarah said...

wow maybe I should try? now just need some motivation.