This morning the weather was beautiful. I went for a long walk and came across these gorgeous pink azaleas. What a color!
I’m making a concerted effort this week to get back into a regular exercise routine. I’m not inclined to exercise if I don’t have to. But like so many of us on the slippery side of 40…we have to. I don’t know why it seems so hard to stick to it! I’ve got plenty of motivation. Like all of my spring clothes I want to wear but can’t get into. Ahem. There have been a few times in my life where I found a routine that just clicked and I could make it part of my week. I have not been able to find that groove again for a long time.
My new plan involves getting up early before the kids wake up. Now, I know me enough to know that actually working out at 6am is never going to happen! So my goal is to get in a good 60-90 min of work time before I switch into breakfast/lunch-packing/bus stop mode. Then after the kids are off to school, I can squeeze in a workout without feeling like the morning is slipping away from me. I think I can do this! It’s Tuesday and I’m 2 for 2.
I guess I wouldn’t call this morning’s walk with my camera a “work out”…more of a brisk stroll with the occasional pause for nature appreciation. Look, I found this funny little pod thing that had fallen off of a tree. I don’t know what the heck it is, do you? It has the look of a lilly pad flower…
So, there it is. My declaration of turning over a new leaf. A leaf that has been turned over many times, but at least I keep trying!
What tricks do you have for getting regular exercise?
Hi Betz, The key to exercise for me is walking, going to Curves or Aqua Ex with friends. I can’t imagine there aren’t friends who wouldn’t love to walk with you…It’s a great habit to get into….
OK, I’m going to turn mine over too; I actually did go to the gym two days ago….
My friends have a little contest going. They help motivate and encourage each other. They have a whole point system (too complicated to explain) but there is a big prize involved. I’m just starting to get back into running. I think the hardest thing is getting it part of your routine. I’m sure after the first 2 weeks it will be a piece of cake. I love your blog and all of your creative felted goodness!
I have a little dog, who loves to walk for blocks. I know I’ll get at least 20-30 minutes a day of hard walking due to his needs, Oliver is his name!
need to create and stick to a routine myself. Working at home, I sometimes find myself unshowered at lunch time. Now that the weather is nice, I’m finding it easier to get out for a walk, run, or bike ride.
Betz,
That is the flower from the tulip poplar tree. They bloom near the top of the tree so are often not seen unless you know they are up there. Learn something new every day 🙂
Hm, no tricks here, I have times of discipline, and times when I’d rather eat a snack in front of the tv. But I run, and if I’m not comfortable (chapstick, use the rr first, have a sip of water, nothing in my tummy, sun glasses and music) then I won’t go for SURE!
A few years ago, I joined the Y and go to group fitness classes. Now I teach pilates there, and it keeps me motivated, since I want to be a good example for my students.
For cardio I like dance. I don’t have enough money for classes. Some people say that the dance exercise dvds aren’t as challenging as a class. So, I love dance based games like Dance Dance Revolution. Yes, DDR is a real workout believe me.
For strenght and stretching I like the workouts in Women’s Health Magazine. Most workouts are online. Check it out.
That’s the bloom from a tulip poplar, often found only high in the top of the tree. If you go back to where you found it and look up at the tops of the trees, you’ll be able to spot a few more of them. I have several of these trees in my yard and they grow very straight and very tall.
Stop by my blog while you’re surfing: tintsandhues.blogspot.com
or my website: http://www.backcreekgallery.com
TV shows on DVD that I love get me on that treadmill!
My favorite exercise is walking – inexpensive and easy to do as long as the weather isn’t too bad. I’m lucky to live next to a park with walking trails and paths in the woods. And of course it’s more fun with a friend or neighbor on a beautiful day!
And the tulip poplar tree is my official state tree of Indiana. I don’t think many people even know the trees have those big flowers because they are the same color as the leaves.
Yay!!! Your efforts are commendable – keep it up and you’ll be in those clothes in no time, muffin top -er, I mean Betz. 😉 My trick for staying motivated was finding other people who exercise regularly – we keep each other up. And it’s so much fun to see them in various states of exasperation and make fun of ourselves! Do you have a neighbor you could make a walk date with every morning? A good friend always reminds me it’s easier to stay in shape than it is to get in shape!!!
amazing photos
Betz,
The ONLY way I can exercise at 6:00am is with a friend. We’ve been doing a 6-7 am Boot Camp (that we can walk to – bonus!)on M,W,Fr. EVERY time we meet on the sidewalk, we both say “the only reason I got out of bed was knowing you’d be waiting for me!” Without the commitment of a workout buddy, I’m hopeless. Good luck!
My dog insists that I walk every day. before if the weather wasn’t nice or I was busy I would miss my walk. but that has changed with my best friend she makes sure I get at least one daily walk.
As a pilates instructor for almost ten years, I have found that a combination of methods works for those of us on the slippery side of forty. For many women joining a scheduled class makes a huge difference and reduces the likelyhood of motherhood/job responsibilities from interfering. Combine that with walking and gardening you should be good. If you have two classes,eg. pilates (helps breathing, core, body mechanics and relaxation) and a weights included class, you can usually get enough cardio from daily activities (walking, vigorous housework)to keep healthy. As we age it is definitely more difficult to maintain muscle mass which affects metabolism, stamina and posture. If you start to get bored, switch it up. Even with all the exercise I get in teaching, I took an adult ballet class which made me feel ten years old again. Keep at it! Your clothes will fit better and you won’t get achy in the studio.
P90X. My husband’s been wanting it for a while, so we broke down and bought it. We get up around 6 to do it and are loving it.
My doctor suggested getting 60 minutes of exercise a day, and it dosen’t need to be all at once. take a walk for 15 minutes, garden for 15 minutes, ride your bike 15 minutes, clean house for 15minutes, break it up any way you would like with an activity you enjoy.
i found the same tree flower last May…
and also posted it on my blog and Sue Mrenna was the first to let me know that it is a tulip tree. And later Ady Sinclair sent me a link on wikipedia that also has pictures and it’s correct genus name, liriodendron.
it’s such a pretty flower.
now i feel somehow kindredly related to you… 🙂
Thanks to your tree curiosity, I can stop wondering what kind of tree I have in my front yard. Thank you.
Tulip Tree Flower…beautiful, isn’t it?! :0)