I was compensated by Puritan’s Pride for this post. All opinions expressed here are my own.
A few weeks ago, I shared a little bit about my struggle with getting motivated to exercise and my promise to make one small change by getting back on track with my fitness. Since then, I’ve been trying to up my activity level — with some success and one hiccup. Last week, I did get in 3 good 40 minutes or longer running workouts with my friend and running buddy.
Sad to say, the week before, I only got in one day of running. But, I am not discouraged. This just means that I need to find the motivation to work out at home, when I can’t get out use the treadmills at the school. I have all of the tools needed here at the house — DVDs, an exercise ball, weights — I just need to pencil my workout into my schedule, stick to it, and get it done. Between running my son to college in the morning and other everyday errands, I struggle to make the change. Which in turn leaves me giving myself excuses. The excuses I promised myself not to make anymore.
Perhaps that is really what my problem is… I have a very hard time changing my routine and making consistent changes in my life. I know that once I do get into the habit and routine of doing something, I will work hard at it — that first initial step of pushing myself is the hardest though!
The thing is, I really do enjoy exercising, I may whine a bit and drag my feet to start but Oh how I love the feeling of accomplishment and adrenaline while I am running or pushing myself to the max (though the dripping sweat is a bit bothersome!). I like keeping a monthly workout record to see my totals and how well, or not so well, I’ve done.
My goal is to run on the treadmill 3 times a week for at least 30 – 45 minutes, preferably doing at least a 3k in that timeframe. I can do it most days, but there are definitley days where I am dragging and it’s very hard to finish that 3k! My ultimate goal for the treadmill is to get my 3k time down to 35 minutes, constantly. And then my goal after that is to sign up and run in an actual 3k race, when I have the confidence to do it outside. I have to say, it really helps to have my running buddy with me. While we don’t truly compete with each other, we do try to keep pace and I know when I look over at her and smile and speed up, she’s going to do the same. I also know that when I pull out my earphone and whine that my knee hurts or I’m dying, she’ll tell me to suck it up and keep going — I do the same for her.
Besides those 3 days of running, I know that my body needs more activity to have any hope of loosing this weight I would like to shed. 20 pounds has been my goal for a while now. My running buddy and I were just talking about how we are going to have to think about watching our calories if we hope to lose any weight. So true. While the running has helped me start to feel a bit more toned, it hasn’t done much at all in the weight department. So, I plan to really take a conscious effort to watch not only what but how much I’m putting into my body every day. I have a very bad habit of getting random cravings but not knowing what I’m craving. This ends up leading me to eat something, not satisfy my craving, eat something else and etc. Not good!
Puritan’s Pride did send me several products to help me with my One Small Change 60-day challenge. I am hoping that by eating a more balanced meal plan that includes veggies, and fruits with a minimal amount of sugars and carbs, along with taking a daily one a day women’s multivitamins along with a few other things like Green Coffee bean extract and Omega-3 fish oil caps, will help get me on track with my food choices and balanced nutrition. They also sent me a body fat tester that told me things I don’t want to know — but needed to know.
I am also completely in love with the “OhYeah” Chocolate and Caramel bars they sent. Oh wow are they good and if I eat one about an hour before my running, I can really tell the difference in the amount of energy I have. They help curb my cravings since I can’t eat before running (it makes me sick) and I usually don’t eat my dinner until I get home around 7pm on running days. Also, I’m usually not quite as hungry after my run when I have a bar beforehand. Next month, I will check in again and let you know how I’m doing with my challenge!
Now that I’ve shared, I want to know if you’ve been working on your one small change! How’s it going? If you haven’t started yet, no worries because it’s never too late to make a change in your life. Find the #oneSmallChange hashtag on Twitter to read stories from others taking the challenge, and keep an eye out for fun Puritan’s Pride Twiter parties.
Also, Be sure to visit the Puritan’s Pride Facebook page to check out the One Small Change sweepstakes. When you enter, you’ll have the chance to win $2,000 cash plus a high-tech wristband to track workouts, Puritan’s Pride products and much more! The Puritan’s Pride Pinterest page also has tons of info, links to helpful health and wellness articles, fitness ideas and inspiring stories to help us know we aren’t alone in our struggles to change for the better!
Change is Good!
Small changes in your life can improve your well-being. Puritan’s Pride wants to help. Pledge today, enter the sweepstakes to win $2,000 and prizes to help you stick to it.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Puritan’s Pride. The opinions and text are all mine.
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