Why Procrastinate When It Feels So GOOD!

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

I just got home from the gym and I feel so invigorated, so alive, and deep down so downright good about life! When an hour or so at the gym can make me feel like that, it really makes me wonder what kind of an idiot I must be that I procrastinate on going there each and every day! Hey! I'm not the only one that does it..... I hear people constantly lamenting the fact that they are procrastinators about running, walking, going to the gym, anything and every thing. And when we finally DO get around to DOING IT -- we love it!

Now do we procrastinate about tearing into a pizza when one is set in front of us? Or about chicken and dumplings, BBQ ribs, a juicy steak -- or whatever your big temptation happens to be? Ha! I can see those guilty looks on your faces right now! No hesitation there, right?

As I watched the minutes adding up on the treadmill I realized how much easier it is for me to walk the 20 minutes now than it was when I first started. I love to set it on random and have the machine taking me up and down hills. Then I took a turn on the epileptic, which I do for less time because I'm still getting the feel of it. It is much harder for me to get my time in on that machine than on the treadmill, that's why I know it's important for me to push for each additional minute. The weights come next and for me it's a period of cooldown as well as working those muscles. Stretching is part of it too. And then I hit the pool for more poolside exercises (I used to do pool aerobics) and walking in the pool. In the 55+ area where I go it is considered a "walking" pool, if you want to actually swim you must go to the part that is divided off for laps. I try to get in a lot of arm and leg exercises, helping my flexibility as well as toning up.

Maybe if I do this enough times in a row it will become a habit and my body will want to go, instead of procrastinating! Do you think?

Have a great day everyone! Be a DOer, not a Procrastinator!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KATRET 6/12/2010 7:41AM

Exercising does make you feel alive! Good luck - it sounds like you are on the right track Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 6/4/2010 12:01PM

Things we like to do seldom get procrastinated (if that is a real word), so we have to find ways to like such things. I'm still working on several areas of 'like to do' rather than 'have to do'. Unfortunately there are things I 'like' that end up hurting my body, so I just have to like them at a slower pace. It will work out in the end. Report Inappropriate Comment

REENIT 6/3/2010 10:48AM

Nice blog and so very true. Sounds like you have a nice well rounded workout. How about writing how you feel when you workout on post it notes and putting them on your mirror or somewhere you would see regularly as a reminder ??? Report Inappropriate Comment

PSMITH3841 6/3/2010 10:16AM

True words, my friend....it took me awhile, but I'm now in the "I want to go" mode(but I do admit to an occasional...."nah, not today"), but for the most part, I'm ready to hit the gym as soon as I leave work. Not to mention, steady gym attendance makes for a much better reflection in the mirror....! Report Inappropriate Comment

DESERTFLOWER8 6/3/2010 1:19AM

YAY SCOTMAMA!!! you rock! way to hit it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CBEVNOW 6/3/2010 1:13AM

Way to go. I know what you mean,my self i cannot make good chicken and dumplings, but there is a little restaurant abut 5 miles from us ,known for home cooking. All the locals eat there cops, judges ,ministers, and us plain ole people.There specialty on Wed. and Sundays are, you guessed it , chicken and dumplings, and they are out of this world, cooked by, as they say down home cooks.When my children come to visit that is where they want to go eat. Every thing they cook is so good. oh dear I'm making my self hungry. Maybe i will procrastinate and not go there to eat Sunday. LOL Caroline Report Inappropriate Comment

IMEOWASWELL 6/3/2010 1:09AM

You are doing the right things! I am so proud of you. I have been doing aquacises and trying to keep my yard done up. I just did 7 hours of lawn cutting. I think I was a doer today. Keep up the good work! Always June Report Inappropriate Comment

LOVES_ANIMALS 6/2/2010 11:21PM

great story and thoughts. very inspiring! Report Inappropriate Comment

Triple Digits - time to change my Plan

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

With Phoenix temps already as high as 106 (yes, it wasn't a typo) I realized last night I need to revise my exercise plan. Walking is my major type of exercise, but Sunday night I waited until 9:00 p.m. for it to get down to 91. Last night it was 10:00 before it was down to 88. I had been watching a movie, but even so -- I don't like to be out there walking around at 9 or 10 at night; it's dark and scary (and maybe unsafe!). So I suppose you could call it my Aha moment or at the very least one of those "Duh!" moments.

This morning I got up and it was a nice cool 69 degrees! Yes!!! Off we went for a brisk 2-mile walk. The sun moves quickly and so does the thermometer, so by the time we finished it was in the mid-70's and my dog was panting and I was dripping wet, not so much the temp itself but the fact that the sun was beating down on us. Still -- I feel good that I got that much exercise in so early. I realize that as the temperatures climb I will be forced to give up walking my dog and I will have to head for the gym. And the walks are as much for my pet as they are for me, we both need the exercise.

Perhaps things will fall into place and I'll be able to get to somewhere cooler in the USA -- for sure I'm not going to enjoy exercising here much longer!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

REENIT 6/4/2010 11:13AM

Great job on changing it up !!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MANLEYSANDY 6/2/2010 2:19PM

I live in AZ too and I joined the gym and use it in the summer months and go back to the outdoors when the weather is more manageable. I also do exercise DVD's. Leslie Sansone has some wonderful walk routine that are low inpact but you get a good work-out! Stay cool! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 6/2/2010 11:16AM

First thing in the morning is a great tie to exercise. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 6/2/2010 7:54AM

In NE it get's hot too but humidity is the wurst part of it all but I don't complain for I hate winter here. But getting up early is good then you get it done and feel good about it. Hope you can keep walking the dog I know the pets love you for it. Keep cool Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

PSMITH3841 6/1/2010 9:28PM

106 WOW! We've been in the 90's here in PA and it's been awful... my brain can't conceive temps of 106...Yikes! Report Inappropriate Comment

DESERTFLOWER8 6/1/2010 7:44PM

do you have access to a pool? that is how i am going to manage the arizona summer heat..aqua-aerobics till fall..then walking..just a thought... Report Inappropriate Comment

LOVES_ANIMALS 6/1/2010 7:06PM

good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

USFBULL 6/1/2010 4:23PM

good adjustment, way to keep it going Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNANN63 6/1/2010 3:16PM

I so understand. I am getting up earlier each week to be able to walk Joey and get my walk in before it is too hot. We are having temps in the 90s and sometimes the high 90s with really high humidity. Fortunately we are able to get to the dog park in the afternoons (if it isn't raining) and it is OK. I don't want to do a lot physically but the socializing for the dogs and people is really good. The dogs are slowing down a lot and we make sure they have lots of water and spend time in the shade. In the evenings it is still cool enough to walk before dark. Report Inappropriate Comment

MELSY82 6/1/2010 1:08PM

good job on adjusting, when i lived in AZ I was either 6am or 10pm outdoor workouts, there is just no way around it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

What Does a Holiday Mean to YOU?

Monday, May 31, 2010

With today being Memorial Day it's a good day to remember all of our loved one's who have passed away. Many people use today as a time to put flowers on their graves. Others only think of the holiday as an extra day off from work (with pay) and it doesn't really matter what the holiday is, some treat them all the same. I'm not here to preach to you about what you should do or should be thinking on any given holiday -- that's a personal preference, and I don't like to judge others.

There are holidays that mean nothing to me, at least they mean nothing as far as the reason they were initially created. Sometimes I wonder what they really mean to our government also, because rather than celebrate them on the day the event happened, suddenly most of our holidays are moved to Monday! We all know the reason for that -- a 3-day week-end. Not that we need a 3-day week-end in order to remember our departed, or to remember Veterans or to remember any of the reasons the holiday is recognized. Most of the people want the 3-day week-end to go out and party and have fun! I'm really surprised they haven't moved the 4th of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas!

For me I have no need to have a special day on the calendar to remember my loved ones who have departed. I think of them on an almost daily basis. They are in my heart and in my thoughts. So today, rather than sitting for a few minutes and thinking of them..... I was painting a wall in my entryway. There was no way I could take flowers to anyone's graveside -- there is no one within driving distance. But in my thoughts they receive special attention each and every day, and if it is possible they are observing me from heaven and they see me busily doing something on the day meant to honor them, I think they will know I still love them....I still think of them.....I still miss them.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANNANN63 6/1/2010 9:46AM

We have a really lovely Memorial Day service here in our community. Each year we have a fly over with the Missing Man Formation. It brings tears to my eyes it is so beautiful and such a tribute to all we have lost. I have never been one to visit graves although we did visit when we were in NY a few weeks ago. We may not ever get back there again and I think it was good for DH to see them one more time. As for holidays in general, I am OK with the long week ends, what I object to is the commercialization that has us seeing Christmas decorations in October. We pass on most of that stuff. DH and I do not exchange gifts for any occasion. Anything we need or want we just get. The stress of trying to "surprise" a partner with gifts four times a year gets worse as the years go by. We have found other ways to express our feelings and enjoy the days. Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 6/1/2010 8:17AM

You are so right - it doesn't need a date on the calendar to remember someone. Most Federal Holiday are a way to give people a 3 day holiday and a lot of them are meaningless to me... Labor Day, Columbus Day, Presidents Day etc.... what do they actually mean anymore apart from a being a nuisance because the post office and banks are closed? Report Inappropriate Comment

A 3-day binge......I mean Holiday Week-End!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

When was the last time you had this much food spread out in front of you, and all of it tempting? Probably whatever the last holiday was where you were getting together with friends and family. Last night we were not even officially into the week-end yet, but I gathered with three other friends at a local Italian restaurant, launching off the wonderful 3-day binge!

I decided to order a light beer to save myself some calories, smart choice; but then the waiter brings a basket of warm, crusty bread, and liberally pours out the oil and balsamic vinegar into a shallow dish in the center of the table. I felt the willpower oozing out my fingertips as I reached out and broke off one of the tasty morsels and swirled it into the olive oil. Beer and crusty bread, a heady combo! Laughter and small talk was flowing freely, and one bite followed another until I wasn't sure just how many of those tiny little bites I had consumed! I wish I had just ordered my dinner and waited for it to be served instead of literally dipping up FAT with my pieces of bread. Yes, I KNOW olive oil is good for you, but it still has 14 g of fat in it!!

OK, now the other couple gets their appetizer! Artichoke hearts/spinach dip, it sounds innocent and healthy, but what about all the fatty cream and cheese it also contains? I passed on that one little temptation, but don't even bother to pat me on the back! My order of eggplant parmesan soon arrived and with the hearty helping of shredded romano on top I doubt if it was the healthiest choice of the evening either.

Even so, I probably could have gotten by with one of my usual gains of .2 or .4 but then the waiter decided we had been so nice all evening he took it upon himself to bring up a "complimentary" dessert. It was delicious, horribly fattening and tastes like pure sin melting on my lips! Strawberries, luscious and sweet, all wrapped up in a sweet whipped cream, folded lightly into a crust that was most likely 99% butter!

What goes in the lips ends up on the hips! All that joy and bliss = 1 lb. gain! The worst part is that tonight the menu is for BBQ Baby Back Ribs! Another favorite so what will I do. There is a swimming pool, so maybe I can swim 150 laps or so and just work it all off. Well. . . . . . . we'll see how "that one" goes!!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ANNANN63 6/1/2010 9:58AM

I do indulge in treats but I do keep track of the amount I eat and record the calories. If I know I am going to be at a dinner or party, I eat very healthy and lower calorie the rest of the day. I have been able to include the treats and still have only exceeded the calorie allowance about 5 times in 5 months. Food is not my friend and I don't find most food tastes good enough to go over my calorie allowance for them. Even foods that taste wonderful I can eat in reasonable amounts. The other side of this is that I have a few trigger foods (ice cream, chocolate, chips) that I have to watch very carefully. They don't actually taste all that wonderful, they are just foods I can eat and eat and eat. I overdid potato chips one day while we were on vacation. Sunday we celebrated DH's birthday with his oldest daughter and her family. I made special chocolate sandwich cookies with a truly fabulous filling and did eat 2 instead of the 1 I planned to eat. I was able to cut out something else and stayed in my calorie range. There are some left and I am avoiding them. If I don't start I will probably not have any problem leaving them alone. Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 5/30/2010 2:25PM

As others have said, 'Live the life you love, and love the life you live'. Enjoy your dinner (it does sound scrumtious) and the friendship. You have certainly earned it! Report Inappropriate Comment

DESERTFLOWER8 5/30/2010 1:12PM

I love the comments all the others have posted here. After all, this IS life, isn't it? Enjoy your weekend of fun, and don't burden yourself with guilt. This is one weekend, not what you do every day of the year. Enjoy!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 5/30/2010 10:59AM

Sometimes it's worth it to give in to temptation! Your dinner sounds sooo good. Eat lightly all day, drink lots of water and enjoy dinner tonight. Have fun !! Report Inappropriate Comment

THPEAKY 5/30/2010 7:29AM

Y'know sometimes food is just so darn good- I don't want to eat fake food. I'd be with you swimming the laps! Have a wonderful weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

ROSY_TIAMO 5/30/2010 4:09AM

I really enjoyed sharing all those wonderful tastes with you (you're too funny) We've all been there and done that.......have a safe weekend! Rosy Comment edited on: 5/30/2010 4:10:04 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

LUNADRAGON 5/30/2010 12:02AM

I find that I can forgive myself, and allow for such times as birthdays, potlucks, dinners. I am learning how to make choices, and allow some treats for me too. You know that you don't holiday eat everyday, because that is how the weight goes back on, and you are better than that. I am sure that once the weekend passes, you will be back on target. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, the company, and listen to your body signals regarding what morsels you partake of. Report Inappropriate Comment

LOVES_ANIMALS 5/29/2010 11:14PM

Enjoy yourself and don't deprive yourself. Make up for it a little bit at a time. Hugs, Sally Report Inappropriate Comment

PSMITH3841 5/29/2010 9:07PM

I guess we will just do the best we can and start to repair and damage we've done on Tuesday...Just roll with it and enjoy the time with friends and family...Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

It Only Gets Easier!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

If you've been on SparkPeople for awhile and you are exercising regularly, somewhere along the line you probably do some "walking." After all, walking is proclaimed to be the easiest, best, most affordable, and all-around good-for-you exercise there is. Whether heavy or thin, walking will build up muscles, tone you up, burn up calories -- the sky is the limit.

Have you ever read any of the blogs where a person has lost 100 pounds simply by WALKING! I mean, really! No gym fees, get yourself a pair of tennis shoes and away you go! And I noticed something at twilight as I was taking my dog for her (our) walk; it gets easier and easier. OK, and I know that means I need to push it up a bit, walk faster, go farther -- something to put a little effort into my daily walk. My dog may have short legs, but she really knows how to move her butt, and you know what -- that means I've got to move mine too!
Thank God for Dogs!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LOVES_ANIMALS 5/27/2010 4:30PM

great thoughts! Sally Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 5/27/2010 3:38PM

Keep it up. I tried walking the cat, but he kept going off in six directions. A bit more than I was bagaining for. If I had a dog I'd walk it. Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 5/27/2010 2:38PM

I miss my little Grand dog we did go for walks but I do walk with my neighbor and her dog but we make the dog keep up with us. Walking is great no mater what your age is with or with out Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 5/27/2010 11:35AM

I love to walk, especially now the weather is better. I do miss my dogs :( Report Inappropriate Comment

PSMITH3841 5/27/2010 10:42AM

I use walking as my major cardio and Zoey is my work-out partner....you are so right about those short legs! After checking for her messages, and taking care of business type things, we're ready to go. I usually let her set the pace, and many times I find myself having to jog (OMG!!!), to keep up...Our little buddies can really keep us moving can't they? I wouldn't have it any other way.... Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNANN63 5/27/2010 7:15AM

Walking is my preferred exercise. I love pickleball but it requires 3 other people to play; walking I can do anytime. Report Inappropriate Comment

THPEAKY 5/27/2010 6:42AM

I have a friend who began walking (I already thought she was slim) and she looks amazing! I, unfortunately have 3 of the laziest dogs in the universe, haha! So I walk on a treadmill with three mini wiener dogs laying in front of it. Dogs rule! Report Inappropriate Comment

VEGANVICKIE 5/27/2010 12:30AM

I just wish it would kick in for me big time. I tread 100 or more minutes daily and have only succeeded in gaining weight this week. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr < BR>Yes, dogs are the best !!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment