Just in the past 2 years, I have really discovered my love for working out again. Not saying that I quit working out all together, but now I am dedicated to making exercise a priority in my life. Some days is harder than others (like those 14 hour days when I don't get home until after the Y closes...), but if I don't workout, I am not a very happy camper.
Having Nic on the same page when it comes to working out has been amazing! For the past 4 months we have been going to the Y four days a week for hYped, a group exercise class based off of P90x. It is so much easier to workout when you have someone else going with you.
Another thing just recently that has kept me motivated is keeping a shared workout tracker with Ike, Maddie and Nic. This is such an easy way to hold each other accountable. For the longest time, Maddie, Ike and I thought we were cursed when it came to the three of us working out. It always seemed that if one of us was on a huge workout kick, the other two were being lazy bums. So every day we track our workouts in this Google document.
This is especially important now that we have decided to run our second marathon together! Yup, our sibling marathon is going to be a yearly deal. We all ran our first marathon together last year - the Twin Cities Marathon. What an experience! We for sure could have used our workout tracker back then! After the marathon I was for sure that would be my one and only. Training for the marathon was hard (not that I did it all), and running the marathon was so much harder. Half way through, I told Maddie I wanted to quit. Her response, "You MADE me sign up for this things, you'd better finish." Okay...motivation enough! As I crossed the finish line I almost started crying and to this day I don't know if it was because I was so thankful it was over, or if I was so proud that I actually finished. Probably a little of both. That day I told them that I would never, ever run another marathon. And there the two of them sat, already thinking about another one. Crap! If they do it, then I have to! Nothing like some positive peer pressure.
This year we are planning on running the San Antonio Rock and Roll marathon.
I am also trying to decided if I should sign up to do a triathlon this year. I've never really even thought of doing a tri until recently. I thought of making that a goal for 2011, but thought, why not give it a try this year? We will see. Two major things are hold me back: 1) I would have to buy a bike and 2) I would have to buy a swimsuit, and then proceed to wear that swimsuit in a public place. Scary.
I love that working out had made its way back into my life in a big way, it feels soooo good.
Progress
In the past year, I have lost over 18 pounds. And you know what, it was done the right way - without trying to lose weight. I've just made some better, more healthful choices when it came to eating and working out, and it has paid off! No diets in this house. I am no where near my goal weight (should I share it?) but know I will get there someday by continuing to make healthful choices.
I think I'll keep track of some measurements here so I can better track my progress. Inches matter more than pounds anyway, right?!
