I Think I Can, I Know I Can!

As I said before, I am a fair weather runner which means that right now in the rainy, cold Pacific Northwest this girl has not been hitting the pavement and getting outside for her exercise. In fact, up until this week I really haven't done much since the end of October. With the holiday season upon us and the extra calories that I am sure I will consume, it was time to get this lethargic body moving.

I am not sure if I have mentioned it in any of my prior posts, but I have a love, hate relationship with exercise. I dislike exercising so much that most of the time I trick myself into exercising. I will do ten squats between my lotion and potion nightly routine, do lunges all the way to the bathroom when I need to pee, or do sit ups during commercials when watching a show! Ya, I know, ridiculous. I don't know if I am fighting my body or my brain, but most of the time they win and my enthusiasm to get moving walks itself right out the door. 

What I lack most is the motivation to get started. But this time will be different (fingers crossed!). Once I begin a workout I have the determination and mind over matter to finish what I started and I always feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I just did something great for my body. When I exercise on a regular basis I have more energy, more self-confidence, and no surprise I feel stronger. This past Monday, I vowed to start adding some kind of exercise into my weekly routine, but knew that I would have to start off slowly or my momentum would come to a screeching halt!

The workout below, that I found on Pinterest from Your Inner Strong was the perfect compromise since it only takes a little over fifteen minutes and you can really pace yourself to your ability. When I first read the work out, I set a goal to get through the cycle five times in fifteen minutes. The goal proved over ambitious as I got to the second round and I was already extremely winded and sweating profusely. I got through it four times in the alloted fifteen minutes and felt a little defeated not achieving my goal, but because of my competitive nature (even with myself) I am now driven to do better. I did the workout again today and even though I only made it through four times again it wasn't as grueling. My overall goal is to do this workout three times a week until I can get through the rounds ten times. I will keep you posted. :)

Do you have a favorite 30 minute or under workout you would like to share with me? I would love to try it out. Send me a link through the comment box below, email, or through my Pinterest account.

Remember to only do workouts that are physically appropriate for you. What may work for one person doesn't always work for another. I am not fitness trainer and this is only a personal lifestyle blog where I share my life experiences.  

Photo Credit: Your Inner Strong