Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Who, Me, Stressed?

I finished Week 2 of my 9 week challenge.

What was I thinking?

Who starts a 9 week, 4 day a week, workout plan when they have to work 60 hours a week?

Honestly?

I finished last week 27 calories and about 20 minutes short of the goal. But I couldn't have worked out another minute if I'd wanted to. There was just too much going on.

Then Saturday came. Week 3. And that's when I decided to put the plan on hold. I had to get up, dress for work, work most of the day, and attend a Mardi Gras party that evening. Adding a 35 minute workout didn't seem feasible. Next thing I knew it was Sunday. Church, work, cooking, you name it. Then I fell asleep. But not before I'd spent the day trying to see if I could somehow squeeze out an hour and do Saturday and Sunday's scheduled workouts.

And it hit me. Exercise is supposed to be fun. At least enjoyable! Not an added stressor in my life. So my approach is going to be to workout on the nights I feel like it and not get all bent out of shape if I miss one. Or two.

Don't misunderstand-I'm not giving up. Not by a longshot! No, I'm just trying to work within my own limitations and make the best of it.

Today, for example, I rode my bike to work. Home for lunch then back again. A good way to squeeze in some exercise. And I'll keep using my Wii in the mornings and do the workouts at night as I can. Exercise makes you feel good, think better, stay healthy, and reduce stress.

As long as trying to exercise doesn't create the stress. Then, it's a chore. Work. And I already have plenty of that.