Secrets of Success

Bright and Early

I get up at 4:30 a.m. for work. Before I even leave the bed I do a few little stretches to help my back trouble. Then I take my shower and then eat a small breakfast to get me going. Then I login to SparkPeople to do my daily spin and log in my breakfast. I go back to my bedroom and do a few jumping jacks and some knee lifts, leg lifts and side kicks to boost my morning energy.

Get Moving

I try to fit jumping jacks, donkey kicks, skipping or even a few push-ups into whatever procrastination time I have.

Adverts on tv; start moving. Waiting for porridge to cook, get down and plank for a minute.

It's only a little bit of exercise, but it all adds up.

Become a leader

I became a certified group fitness/aerobic instructor.

Moving Furniture

If you happen to have hardwood floors, slip a throw rug under the furniture to slide easily across the floor - no strained backs and no gouged floors!

Get outside for a few minutes, even if it is raining.

This is a good idea for the following reasons: It's beautiful out there with trees and plants and the like, fresh air is good for you and can help you clear your head if you're stressed, the sun = vitamin D, and, of course, going outside means you're moving, which is good for you!

Wear Your Running Shoes!

First thing in the morning and all throughout the day, wear your running shoes in the house. Somehow, it makes you feel like you should be getting up and moving and doing something, whether it is cleaning or exercising. Its easy to stay on the couch in your fuzzy wuzzy bunny slippers, but when you have running shoes on, it doesn't seem right to put your feet up in them!

Decluttering

When I was moving from my small 1 bedroom to a much nicer 2 bedroom I started to realize how much junk I had accumulated. I wanted to clean out so I didnt have to reclutter my new place, so I turned on Netflix and watched a few episodes of the show Hoarders. That show will scare anyone with clutter into wanting to throw stuff out. I think I may have thrown away more than I kept!

Use magazines for your vision collage

Click photos and words that inspire you from fitness magazines or ones that inspire you ("O" has great images). Use these to make or update your vision collage to keep you motivated. Put it where you can see it often - on your bathroom mirror, where you regularly exercise, or on the refrigerator door.

Accountability by scheduling

I am moving and have used this practice everytime I have done so.
I make a schedule of what is to be done each day in order to reach my target move date. If something happens to hinder my progress, illness or emergency, I pick back up on the next day and try to include something extra to keep me from getting too far behind.
I also made a cleaning schedule for the new house to hold myself accountable each day.

Move

Move.

Get moving & keep moving!

I love the burst of energy that I get after working out! I have "Walk Away the Pounds" (Leslie Sansone), PodRunner Intervals, and 5K101.com. I have no excuse to NOT get my workouut in. Rain, sleet, snow, extreme heat.... bring it on! I have my tools for a sustainable indoor and outdoor workout plan.

Create Free Standing Computer Desk

Create a standing computer desk, or use an existing surface to compute and surf the net from a standing position. You will burn more calories, exercise posture muscles and, in general, promote better health than doing it sitting all the time.