Monday: Slim & Tone Pilates
Tuesday: Jillian Michaels Shape Up Front & Cardio Kickboxing
Thursday: Jillian Michaels Shape Up Back & Cardio Kickboxing
Sunday: Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy
You’ve probably noticed I repeat a lot of the same DVD workouts. This isn’t because I’m boring…OK, maybe I am. The reason is twofold: first I really prefer working out at home. And second, the more we do something, the better we get at it.
As much as gyms are useful for some, for others they are a source of anxiety. I’m lanky, awkward and painfully uncoordinated. So in order to not be so self-conscious at the gym, I work out at home and really, really love it. It makes it more “me” time so the introvert in me doesn’t have to see or deal with anyone in order to get my fitness on. My workout room is our office/guest room. Not a lot of space but it’s enough to get the job done. No fancy equipment either – just some weights, aerobics step and some dumbbells.
The other advantage of working out at home is that I can try new things to decide if I like it or not. No one will get in the shape the same way as anybody else does – we’re all different. What works for you may not work for me and vice versa. Finding what YOU like to do and doing it will get you the results you seek. Too often we try a form of exercise because we like the way the spokesperson looks and want to look the same. But they’re not YOU. You are uniquely you and so should be your exercise routine.
OK, second reason: have you ever wondered why they call it “the practice of yoga”? It’s because we are practicing every time we do it. Nobody’s perfect and we’re all trying to get better at it. Just like doctors – they practice medicine because they’re not experts! So the more you do a workout, the better you will get at it. I notice progress each time I do the same workout – my squats are getting better, my yoga poses are getting stronger and my flexibility is improving. I don’t have to be perfect or even good at it. The most important thing is just doing it.
Muscles have memory so if you were an athlete at any point in your life, you have an advantage. Sure, it may take some time the older we get, but like Nike says, Just Do It! And do it again! Think of something that feels second nature to you…that’s what exercise can be, too. A lot of people give up on exercise because it’s difficult and it doesn’t feel awesome. No, it won’t! But it WILL get better. Promise!
Give yourself a break and don’t be afraid to try something new. I was skeptical of yoga until I tried it and even though I didn’t sweat like I would in a spin class, I sure felt it working! And once I made the connection between exhausting my body in order to calm my mind, I was hooked. Again, find what works for you and do it.
Wow, I should be getting paid by Nike right about now…
| A mother of two and a Colorado Native, she grew up in suburbia Denver and met her husband in college at Regis University. They were best friends for years before he kissed her and well…as they say, the rest is history. He joined the Army after they graduated in 2002, so they moved several times and just came back from living overseas. Being gone for over 10 years, Colorado is still their home and they feel so good to be back!
<strong><em>Click here for more “New” mom articles from Crystal!</em></strong> |
