To Run or Not To Run?

The other day, I cracked open my library copy of The Happiness Project. I haven't gotten far into reading it, but it has already gotten me to thinking about changes I could make in my life. In Chapter 1, the author talks about boosting energy by exercise. Exercise? What's that?!

Although I used to be a fit dancer back in my high school days, those days are far behind me. Dancing was the only form of exercise I ever did. It was fun, and I loved it. In my college days, I tried out the gym but it just wasn't for me. I tried running once or twice, but I certainly didn't love that. However, I know enough about running to know that it takes consistency to make it more enjoyable. This week, I've been thinking...what if I start running?

A friend from MOPS is thinking of starting a running group with the hopes of running in a local half-marathon. Half-marathon! That's 13 miles! That sounds like 2 1/2 hours of torture. But part of me is wondering, What if?

I certainly haven't decided to run a half-marathon, but I am toying with the idea. Part of me likes the challenge of doing something difficult that I've never even considered. Part of me likes the idea of doing it with others. So, if I could find the time and energy, it could be cool. Luckily, it is one form of exercise that doesn't require special equipment except shoes...and I've been wearing Asics Gels for the past 15 years anyway. And so I contemplate...

Has anyone ever discovered a great love of running? Or do you find it to be just plain torture?

An Alternate Plan

No sooner had I blogged about my intention to get into shape with the help of the 30 Day Shred DVD, I lost the DVD! It's hard enough to get up the gumption to workout, let alone to workout to a video that keeps me huffin' and puffin'. Having to search minutes for the video really doesn't help keep me on track. So, before I lost all motivation to workout, I decided to skip the 30 Day Shred and do an old video that I've had since the college days instead.

Originally bought the videocassette at Target years ago but found it on DVD at Ross Dress for Less a few years ago. Originally, it was called "Kathy Ireland Body Specifics" but then they rebranded it "Kathy Ireland Core Workout" when the core workout craze came along. Although some of her workout buddies are a little annoying and the music is kinda dated now, it is a good workout. Overall, it probably takes 40 minutes or so to complete with a warm-up, 12 minutes abs, 12 minutes butt, 12 minutes thighs and a cool-down. There is also a "bonus" video that focuses on stretching and body strengthening. Although I don't huff and puff with this workout, I do break a sweat and I do feel like I'm really targeting the areas where I need improvement.

After working out with Kathy today, I decided to keep looking for the other video. I managed to find it back behind the TV. Now, I've got both DVD's stored in an easily accessible place so I won't have the "I lost the video" excuse to keep me from my plans.

30 Day Shred

Okay, so I posted the other day that I had some exercise goals and that I'd talk about them more later. Well, I guess I figured that if I posted it online where others could read it, that I would be more apt to follow through. You see, I'm wonderful at making plans...but not always so good at seeing them through.

So, Brett and I have been talking for ages about wanting to get in better shape. But, that's about all that we've done is talk about it. Hopefully, this month we'll do more than talk about it. Hopefully, we'll make it happen. Although we're both slender people and don't necessarily need to lose pounds, we both want to be healthier, have better nutrition and be stronger (I wouldn't mind to have a little muscle either).

And of course, I'd like to lose the jiggle around my middle. After Lucie was born, I managed to drop down to my pre-pregnancy weight, but the pounds don't look quite the way they used to on my body! I've tried off and on to do some ab work but really the only way to get rid of that is cardio. Cardio, hmmm...I don't know that I like the sound of that. I used to be a dancer, and I LOVED it! It was exercise that was fun. But, in the 14 years since my dancing days ended, I haven't found anything to replace it. I don't think that I'd stick with going to the gym, and running is absolute torture. So, I've decided to go the workout video route.

I searched on Amazon for a video that might suit my needs. I came across a video by Jillian Michaels (of The Biggest Loser) called 30 Day Shred. It advertises "Lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days!" Okay, that claim seems a bit outlandish, and I don't need to lose 20 pounds. But it's 4.5 stars (out of 1,285 reviews) were pretty persuasive...and at only $6.50, I thought it was worth a shot. Now, it's not primarily a cardio workout - it blends strengthening, cardio and ab work. But, since I'm so out of shape, I thought it might be better to ease into working out with a 20-minute video that has some cardio than to do a pure cardio workout.

Well, the DVD arrived a couple of days ago, I tried it out and it doesn't feel like I'm easing into anything! Wow, it is challenging. The movements aren't complicated - a lot of them are things that I remember doing in P.E. in elementary school. But, I think that they're very effective because I am feeling the effects of them. Really feeling the effects of them. I'm hoping that I can find time (and energy) every day to workout. I'm hoping that as I continue working out that I'll build some endurance up.

Ultimately, I'd like to:

• get my abs back and shred the belly fat
• develop more upper body strength
• tone my lower body

We shall see what happens...