Quick thoughts

The challenge of weight loss is daunting, is it not? It is to me, because I have failed so many times! I started running recently, thanks to an inspiring friend who let her enthusiasm flow into me. I realized quickly that running was more of a mind game than anything else. Anything you do, you have to make into a game that will keep your mind busy so that it is not focused on the sweet pain of working out. Inspirational or not, this post is hopeful of making work outs and work-out goals a practical mathematical equation. With running, or any exercise, try to come up with number goals. It helped to count how many laps I could run around the track in the gym, or how many minutes I was able to add weekly. Alternating running and walking is a great way to start off if you are worried about stamina. Here's a good website that was recommended to me by several runners and I think it's a great way to start. It's called the "couch-to-5k plan":

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

There's also an app for this for ipod/iphone/androids which is helpful.

Thanks to Alka's incessant Zumba rants I finally went to one of those classes with Jen and boy, was it FUN! I was singing on the way back home and might have skipped a couple of times on the way haha. Try it if you haven't already.

Here's a cool link titled "Beginner Abs":

http://caloriecount.about.com/article/partner/beginner_abs

The first three weeks are the toughest because that is how long it takes to incorporate a new activity into one's routine and make it a habit. If we resort to making our work outs as fun as possible we will want to do them as often as possible, slowly look forward to them, and before we know it will be three weeks later and we won't be able to imagine a routine without daily exercise and healthy eating!