Fitness & Motivation

One thing I’ve learned from all my research and all my soul searching is that I can’t wait to live my life.  I want to have the surgery, and I want to lose the weight.  Wouldn’t it be easier to lose the weight before I start to do things?  Yes and no.  I have a tendency to wait for “the right time” instead of making now the right time.  There will always be something I’m waiting for.  And I don’t want to keep pushing back my life.  I want to live.  Now.  And although I can’t do everything I want to do right now, or be everything I want to be right now, it doesn’t mean that I can’t do anything or be anything.

So I am working on figuring out what things I can do now.  Physical therapy to help my knees is one thing I am doing right now.  Another step I’ve taken is to create a food budget.  We eat out--a lot!  And that gets expensive.  So we have tried to stay within a food budget this pay period.  

Fitness is another area I feel like I’m ready to (slowly!) start tackling.  I don’t want to go too crazy, but I do want to make a start.  The physical therapy is one way I’m getting some exercise.  I would also like to start walking.

I will start walking today.  I brought my shoes to work.  I will probably take a 15 minute walk at my lunch break.  I need to start slow and be consistent.  So now I’m looking at ways to keep myself motivated.  I like to be able to track things, but I want it to be fun and motivating.  So I’ve joined a couple of challenges:

Louisiana 2 Step:  This is an online program in Louisiana, sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield.  They make suggestions for eating healthier and moving more.  You track what you did the day before in very simple ways.  Supposedly you can even win prizes.  You don’t have to be a Blue Cross/Blue Shield member to join the challenge.

The President’s Challenge:  Do you remember the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge you participated in at school?  Well this is through the same initiative, but for individuals.  You sign up online and then log your activities.  There are a couple of different challenges you can choose from.  You can be eligible for awards too, but you have to pay for them once you qualify for them.  I like the idea of earning medals, and it may be enough to motivate me.  My children are also planning to participate, and I thought it would be a neat way for us to motivate and support each other through the challenge.

I’m also trying out a few apps and games to keep me motivated.  I will try them out and then maybe review a few of them.