help!

I received this email from m, a reader, this week. I'm hoping you can share some happy thoughts, send some good energy her way, & maybe, this can even be of some use to you.

m: I am just your average 21 year old who is stuck in a rut. I read your blog religiously, and I just think you are fabulous. How do you do it? I started running the end of march of this year. I loved it! I worked out atleast once a day, some days even three times. It has been roughly three weeks since I have worked out/ran/sweated. How do I get the drive to get back in the swing of things? My body my spirit and my mind are all suffering from it, but I can't seem to have any will to actually get out and do it. Blahhh I feel gross.

j: I think it's pretty normal to get excited when you start something new, and as time goes on you feel that excitement wear off. I think that's the one real trick to living healthy. I've had many ups and downs. But I've found, as time has gone on and I've stuck it out, my downs have gotten smaller & I've been able to sustain my ups in a more moderate way. So don't beat yourself up for feeling stuck in a rut. As far as getting out of this little lull you've found yourself in, first, I would find small ways to get yourself going again. It doesn't have to be a run. Go for a walk, try a new class at the gym, or turn on some music and dance around your bedroom [when I don't feel like running I talk myself into just going for a walk and somehow, 90% of the time I find myself running]. I think we get into this mindset that if we're not doing a really intense workout it's not worth it. But it is-- doing something good for yourself everyday, no matter how small it may seem, will make you feel better and will lead to more good choices. And the truth is, it's much more sustainable. So start doing small, good things for your body & let that attitude guide you. The second thing I would do, is make it easier to workout [ie: change up your schedule, call a friend and make a workout date, make an appointment with a trainer, do it first thing in the morning before you have a chance to talk yourself out of it]. Give yourself every chance to succeed.

the last 3 pounds: my little hitch

Being a newlywed and all, I'm still doing some adjusting. I'm not at all used to following someone else's schedule. Now, I eat when the hubs eats even if I've already eaten. And I like to stay in bed with him as long as possible in the morning rather getting up early to go running. Plus I've noticed that I like to make every meal a production, whereas when I was single, I'd grab something simple and be satisfied.

[fix] I need to get used to it and adjust instead of fighting it. That's life. And someday when we have little one's, [gasp] they will rule my life even more. Fine, stay in bed. But get used to running in the middle of the day & remember that rule about being flexible? oh yeah. I can do that.

What are your little hitches? I want to know. email me.

let's tweet

I just started twitter. At first I thought I would hate it because I'm no good at facebook. But it's actually kind of fun. Go here to follow me.

thanks a mil!

Thanks to Jessica for voting me as one of your faves! Check her out here.

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from you to you

I loved your challenge!  It really motivated me to get moving.  Since I got married and started nursing school in May I've had a hard time finding "time" to exercise.  I love the way I feel when I am active but I somehow kept convincing myself I was too busy.  Your challenge helped me realize that getting up a half hour early or finding a half hour in the evening wasn't that big of a deal.  My favorite exercise routines are Turbo Jam and Hip Hop Abs.  I have felt my butt get tighter and my abs get flatter.   I feel so much happier when I exercise consistently and have finally gotten myself into a great routine.  Thanks for creating such a fun blog!


thanks Emma! 
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let me know

It's time to hear from all of you who did the challenge! [whether you were completely successful or not] Was it hard? easy? Did you feel different? make better choices? or just feel less guilty about the extra intake. Some of your thoughts will be featured here throughout the holidays.

talk to me here.