♫ All that junk…or lack thereof.

We’ve blogged about exercise countless times. We’ve had ghost blogs. We’ve talked about how much we hate it. We’ve talked about our goals. And we’ve talked about the benefits. We’ve had blogs on soda pop, weight loss, eating right, etc. All those blogs were written by other people. I thought I’d give it a shot, too. A fact-less, thoughtful blog on the going-on’s in my head these days about my own body.

Two kids later, and living in my mid-twenties, it’s fair to say that my body isn’t nearly as excited to bounce back from carrying two kids. Or eating out. Or eating whatever. It’s a strange feeling, the first time you realize that your body is changing with a little bit of age and life experience, whether you like it or not.

Things that happen before you realize it’s happening:

#1. The Gut

It doesn’t have to be large, and hanging over, and gross. It happens when you’re chilling in your pj’s…those adorable Victoria Secret sweats you love so dearly, and your cutesy tight tank top, reading a book. You oh, so gracefully, pull your knees up to your chest to get enthralled in another Dear Edward… book, and realize that there is a bit of extra skin in your midsection that is killing your romance novel. Completely distracted now, you remind yourself you ate a little extra today, get off the bed, do 20 extra sit-ups, because that usually flattens it right back out, and climb back up, satisfied. Pat yourself on the back, you’ve done it again. But wait…

They aren’t bouncing back to flat.

#2. After heating something heavy, you’re heavy.

Odd how much longer that full feeling from overeating sticks around as you get a bit older. I used to be able to eat everything in the house, then join my friends on a Sonic-run, and not miss a beat. Now, not only am I uncomfortable for hoursssssss, I look it.

Curse you, age.

Here’s the deal. I’m not overweight. In fact, when my kids were sick I took them to the doctor, and, admittedly, checked out the weight chart on the back of the door. I’m average. I look fine. I’m not old enough to gripe about my age making things sag, or my skin wrinkling. Just the fact that my metabolism is seriously slowing down, and that I don’t really appreciate it much. My goal, by April, for two reasons, is to tone. I will eat better, lose a bit of weight, and find my abs. I mean it. I’m….squishy. I found out today that I can switch my gym membership to a place that is kid-friendly, and it gave me motivation.

I’m curious, though, mid-twenty folks…what, besides special kinds of diets, are your favorite work out routines? I’m particularly interested in those with kids. How do you dig up more time and more energy, for exercise?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

**Weighing in on Exercise

Another great Ghost Blog! This ghost has filled us in on the why's and why not's to exercise. "Weigh in" by giving them your thoughts on this post! -Nomz and Sazaran




Exercise…it’s a love/hate relationship!

This blog is about exercise (that nasty 8 letter word)…
I must start off by saying that I HATE TO EXERCISE. I HATE it with a passion. Some days I just want to *PUNCH* exercise square in the face!
I’m a 5-day/week exerciser…some early mornings and sometimes after work. I am consistent with my routine and never miss a day, ever. Most of my friends might think I have a ton of energy, ‘love’ to work out and some may think of me as their idol or inspiration. I am NONE of that. I H-A-T-E to exercise!!!
I exercise ONLY because, at my age (mid 40’s), I need to, consistently and for the ‘health of it’…
• I want a strong heart
• I want to live longer (God willing)
• I don’t want to wait until a doctor tells me I must lose weight
• I don’t want to be reliant on medicine for my heart or cholesterol
• I want to be strong to avoid everyday lifting/moving injuries
• I want to gain muscle mass, to offset bone loss
• I want to avoid unnecessary medical bills/costs
• Exercise clears the mind and helps me avoid depression
I hate exercise because:
• It tries to control my life
• Gets violent with me and abuses my body
• Make me sweat hard and get really stinky
• Keeps me from sleeping in or relaxing after a long day at work
• Controls my eating decisions
• Make me constantly sore and aching
• Makes me cry or curse sometimes
• Some days, I feel like I’m pushed so hard, I might die, literally
But, exercise does…..
• Allow me to splurge on my bad eating habits from time to time…yay!
• Makes me take a 2nd look in that mirror…rawrrr!
• Allows me to buy new clothes that fit!
• Makes me all around….a very happy person!

It has taken me many, many years of ups and down in weight, attitude, and self acceptance…to get my mind in control enough to be wrapped around that 8 letter word called ‘exercise’ (that I despise so very much!).
I STILL wake to my alarm at 5am and spend 30 seconds arguing out loud with myself (coming up with every excuse why I should stay in bed…i.e. ‘I’m tired’, ‘I can make it up another day’, ‘It won’t make a difference’, ‘There is a foot of fresh snow out there’, blah, blah…and I NEVER, EVER win. I always get out of bed and head to the gym.
Exercise will NEVER be easy.
You will NEVER love exercise.
DO IT…for your health…and start NOW!

“IF EXERCISE WAS EASY…EVERYONE WOULD BE ‘DOING IT’!!”

**Ghost Blogger