Making Progress

5. Workout everyday for a month

This was my goal for the month of September.

Frankly, this is one I didn't think I would ever complete!  Some weeks I find it difficult enough to get 3 runs in...much less some form of exercise every day.  But, moving into my new office and having a free gym less than 100 steps from my desk made all the difference.

My main rule was that the "exercise" had to be at least 30 minutes of some form of cardio.  In order to not kill my body (and mind), I deemed that walking could count.   I ran at least 3 times a week, got on the elliptical about 2 times per week, and walked the rest of the time.  I tried to save walking for days that I was at my house and didn't have access to the office gym.  The toughest day was the day I walked 30 minutes in the pouring rain.  For some reason, it's easier for me to run in the rain than walk.  Maybe because I feel more hardcore.

I'd love to say that after exercising every day for a month I've lost weight.  Sadly, that is not the case.  I'm about the same as I was at the beginning of September.  However, I seem to have leveled out the steady gain I had been working on since this time last year.  And, I have noticed other benefits to my efforts.  I feel fitter, I'm sleeping better, I also feel more disciplined and happier with my body (even thought I didn't lose any weight).  And, duh...my blood pressure and resting heart rate have dropped.

I have to say, some days it was really hard to go exercise, and it was only not breaking my streak that got me out there.  So, while one of my goals was to create a habit of exercising every day, I think I need the freedom to occasionally say, "You know what, I just can't do it today".  And that is ok.  However, I'd like to maintain a habit of exercising 5 days week.  Mon-Thurs at the office, and Saturday (or Sunday) long runs.  J and I have bought a treadmill for our house, so that should help as well.  My goal is to run my normal 3 days a week, and cross train the other 2.  I think I also want to start back up with some weight training 3 of the 5 days.

So while I won't be as regimented as I was in September, I want to still reap the benefits of creating this habit!