Pride Cometh Before a FALL!

" No matter how you fall, just think how to get up fast."  Ika Adriani 

Picture this:  It's a beautiful day - the sun is shining and the trees appear to be swaying a bit.  Yes, it's windy, but not windy enough to discourage you from embarking on your weekly "long run".  This week's run:  10 miles.  Yes - 10 miles and you're ready to hit the pavement.  You have on your sunglasses, an ear warmer, a long sleeve (adorable) pink shirt that says "One More Mile" across the front, black capri running shorts with a coordinating pink stripe that matches the color of the shirt, black gloves, white socks and your beautiful white gym shoes.  In addition you have a belt strapped around your waist carrying your water bottle, keys, cell phone, Gu Chomps, Kleenex, Chapstick and an iPod nano.  Earphones from your iPod are delivering the carefully selected tunes that are paced to your stride and on your wrist is your GPS calculating your pace as well as distance.  You are totally prepared for a great run!


As you step out the front door and onto your porch a burst of cold air slaps you in the face.  The logical thing to do would be to go back in the house and put on a running vest, long running slacks, a neck warmer and a hat - or simply stay inside and run on the treadmill.  But you know better and you ignore the promptings telling you that you may not be as prepared as you THINK you are.   So, off you go.  The first mile is invigorating.  The second mile is still good - but you start to get a bit chilly.  Well into mile 3 your leg muscles feel like they may be freezing up a bit.  You wonder, can muscles actually freeze and if they do freeze - will they still work?  By mile 4 they're frozen solid but they appear to be functioning - you're still making headway toward mile 5.  Then something happens that completely takes you by surprise.   As you approach the curb - a curb you've conquered countless times - your frozen leg muscles refuse to cooperate and your worst fear happens.  You fall.  It's not a little "trip" or an "oops, I lost my balance for a second" stumble.  It's an all and out fall and it appears to be happening in slow motion.  Your toe hits the curb, you fall to the right scraping your right knee, shoulder, chin and cheek on the pavement, in that order.  Your left foot makes a valiant effort to compensate for the utter chaos going on with your right side but is unable to gain control and gives up, causing your body to virtually collapse in the street.  Amidst the dazed chaos, you instinctly know that the first thing you MUST do is GET UP FAST!!!  You may have been knocked senseless for a moment, but you have ENOUGH sense to know that the entire world could be watching this fiasco in a few hours on youtube.   


So you jump up with a not-so-confident "meant to do that" look on your face and then take a quick inventory of all your body parts and supplies.  "Did I tear a hole in the knee of my running shorts?" (No.)  "Is my iPod still working?"  (Yes, music is playing.) "Where are my sunglasses?"  (On the curb - get them quickly.)  "Are they scratched?"  (Who cares - just put them on - hopefully no one will recognize you.) "Did I break my leg or my hip, or my shoulder or my cheek?"  (Doesn't feel like I did...they ARE frozen, however - maybe that protected them.)  Did I knock any of my teeth out?  (Nope - they're still there.) "Should I cry, call for a ride home and NEVER run again?" (Absolutely not...although selling your house and moving to Albuquerque does cross your mind for a moment.)  Should I finish my ten miles even though I'm injured, embarrassed and frozen solid?  (Yes...and as soon as you got your wits about you, you did!)


Well, you probably guessed that the poor unfortunate, and somewhat clumsy individual that you were picturing was me and the story is true.  If I could list my most embarrassing moments - and I have had plenty - that experience would probably rank in the top 5.  But I am still running in spite of it all.


Unfortunately, we all have weeks where we just don't feel like exercising. The motivation with which we started dwindles on occasion.  We don't want to do it, we don't care if we do it and we come up with every reason why we don't need to do it.  But the truth of the matter is that we DO need to do it. Our health demands it.  Our bodies crave it whether we believe it or not.  And, if we're honest with ourselves, we DO have the time.  We just need to MAKE time in our schedules.  We may have our set-backs, our falls, but that doesn't mean that should give up.  It just means that we need to take a quick inventory,  re-group and recommit.  


I had a difficult week of exercise last week - my motivation was severely lacking.   I finished my 5 days, but I didn't want to do it.  I just knew I HAD to do it.  I promised myself and I promised each of you that I would.  I did, however, need to take a good hard look at myself and decide what I needed to do to regain my enthusiasm.  I realized that I needed to have renaissance - a rebirth in my exercise program.  Since today is Easter, I decided this day would be the perfect day to renew my efforts.  I hope you'll take this time to do the same if you've experienced a lack of motivation recently.  You may have an occasional "fall", but if you "get back up fast" you'll be able to pick up where you left off and finish what you started.    


When you committed to the Mary-thon, you set a fitness goal for yourself for a reason.  What was that reason?  Did that reason go away - or is it still there?  If it's still there (and my guess is that it is), you owe it to yourself to follow through, no matter what - no excuses.  YOU deserve it so try not to let yourself down.  


There's plenty of time to restart the Mary-thon and finish in time, if you have taken a fall.  I'm here to offer you a helping hand, and I promise - I will NOT put it on youtube.com!   


I love these words of encouragement quoted on buzzle.com:  "Believe in Yourself!  One of the most important factors that leads a person to success, is the belief in oneself. Most people become de-motivated because they do not trust their capabilities to achieve something. One must remember that hard work is the only way to success and in our effort to achieve success, we may encounter failures. This should be taken as a learning experience and one should continue working harder without losing hope." 


Have a wonderful week and remember to...
Keep Moving Forward!
Mary

I Believe I CAN! I Believe YOU Can!

“Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right.”  --Henry Ford

13+ weeks ago, I issued a fitness challenge.  My challenge was:  In order to help me to "keep moving forward" [with my exercise program], I would like to invite you to join me and participate in the “2011 Moving Forward Mary-thon”.  To date, I have received a positive "Count me In" response from 175 individuals.  As news of the Mary-thon travels and others see YOUR success, more people sign up.  Some have just come in the past couple of weeks!  I couldn't be more excited and more thrilled with the response!  THANK YOU!!!   

On December 23, 2010 the challenge went out, and I wanted to share with you a few of the many, many positive responses I received:

“Please add my name to the list. I've been doing better, but you may be the push I need. Thanks for keeping us healthy and happy.”

“I’m in Texas walking for 2 to 2 1/2 hours a day on the beach (with a cane).  I used to be a runner before Multiple Myeloma did serious damage to my spine.  I don’t let it keep me down.  I’ll take your challenge since I already exercise almost every day.”

“Count me in!  How could I not be on that list?  I love a challenge.”

"I decided I'm going to train for my first half-marathon!  Thanks for the incentive!" 

“What a great idea!  I need and want to be a part of this "Mary-thon".  I am wanting to get back on track with my exercise program and this will be a great incentive for me, so, yes I am on board….So, sign me up!

“Sign me up! I'm ready to go... this is fabulous!   Thanks!

“I have been trying to find something to get me motivated and well, Mary . . . . . YOU did it!!!  I will sign up for your 26 week commitment.”

“Your e-mail came at a good time.... I need to be accountable to someone, so if you don't mind.... sign me up!!!  Here's to starting a 26 week journey, one step at a time!!!! Thanks!!

“My 3 daughters would like to be part of the Mary-thon if there is room and if you are allowing family members.  Could you please let me know if they can join?  Thanks!”  (Anyone is welcome – and they did sign up!)

“Please sign up my husband and me for the “Mary-thon”.  We commit to 30 min of exercise 5 days a week.  Thanks!”

“Mary, I will happily join your Mary-thon group.  I already walk 2.2 miles, usually 6-7 days a week, but don't when vacationing or out of town.  This will encourage me to exercise even while away from home.  Thank you for creating this "mission”.”

“My husband and I just this morning talked about doing something to RETURN TO BETTER HEALTH, cholesterol, weight, etc.  and so I opened your email/blog and I AM GOING TO DO IT !!!!  You are such an inspiration to all of us, and your encouragement and sense of humor will be so valuable.  Thank you SOOooo much....I have to go get on the elliptical now!”

“I would love to do this challenge for 2011.  I love how you set it up and am so thankful that you got this going :) I'm excited!!”

“Please sign me up for the 2011 Mary-thon.  I will finish..... I will finish......I WILL FINISH!!!!!!     Thanks for sharing your challenge with all of us.”

Can you feel the excitement as you read the words of other fellow Mary-thoners?  Can you feel their commitment and dedication to themselves and improving their health?  How about you?  Are you still excited?  Are you still committed?   Are you feeling better about yourself? Is your body feeling better?  I know there are a few of you out there who have fallen off the fitness wagon.  You CAN get back on - with 39 weeks left in the year there's plenty of time to find 26 weeks to start again and finish the Mary-thon. 

This week (Week #13) begins a defining moment in the 2011 Moving Forward Mary-thon:  it begins the half-way point.  From this week on, you will be finishing a “Half-Mary-thon” and heading toward the Mary-thon finish line!!! Congratulations to each of you!!! What an inspiring accomplishment!!!  I'm sure those around you have felt the impact of your dedication to yourself and your health!   BRAVO!  Conversely, if you are surrounded by "nay-sayers" calling you obsessed and trying to knock you off the fitness wagon from their perch on the couch, remember:  

"Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated."  

As Henry Ford said – whether you believe you CAN or believe you CAN’T, you’re probably right.  When you think back to the day you committed to the Mary-thon, did you believe that you COULD, or did you think you probably COULDN’T?  If you were the latter, my guess is that you are not currently participating in the Mary-thon and you’re thinking of a way you can avoid ever seeing me or e-mailing me again.   Please don't feel ashamed or embarrassed if you decided this challenge wasn't for you.  It's OK!!!  Some have asked "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?"  I want each of you to know that I am doing this because I care.  I care about fitness and health and eating properly and never having to visit the doctor for ailments related to a sedentary lifestyle.  But most of all, I really care about each of you.  I want you to be healthy and I want you to be happy!  I know how exercise and fitness has totally changed my life and I want to share that with anyone who will listen.  You may have felt that the Mary-thon just wasn’t for you but you have still found a way to keep fit and that’s OK too.  

Practically speaking – I still need to order the 2011 Moving Forward Mary-thon finishers medals and need to know how many of you will be meeting me at the finish line.  So – here’s what I need from you this week:

1.      If you plan to finish the Mary-thon (26 weeks of exercise, 5 days per week, 30 minutes per day with a 2 week “grace” period) by December 31, 2011, PLEASE let me know.  I can only order the medals once – and I want to have a medal for each person who finishes.

2.      When you have finished the first 13 weeks of the Mary-thon (the Half-Mary-thon), please e-mail mary.balagna@gmail.com with your home address so that I can send you a little motivational gift of encouragement to help you through the next 13 weeks.  

Congratulations to each of you for your OUTSTANDING success and I want to sincerely thank you for motivating ME to Keep Moving Forward! 

As always – “Keep Moving Forward”!

Mary

Spring Forward! Going Above and Beyond!

"The only way to define your limits is by going beyond them."  Anonymous                            

When I first decided to run a half-marathon, I had already been running 4 times a week for five years and I was ready to do something a bit more challenging.  Fortunately, I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into!  Well - maybe a teeny morsel of an idea...but not a "realistic idea" - which I see now was a good thing.  My 4 day a week running routine consisted of putting on my Garmin tracking device (because I need to know EXACTLY how fast and how far I run on any given day), finding my "running playlist" on my iPod and go.  My route was usually the same - I would leave my front door, run up the street, turn left at the T in the road, run past the park, turn right past the Professional Building, touch the flagpole by the movie theaters and run back home.  2.58 miles.  So, my warped thought process was that if I could run 2.58 miles - I simply needed to multiply my run by 5 times which would equal a 13.1 mile half marathon.  Easy!  I went on the internet and found a twelve week training program for beginning half-marathoners.  I knew I couldn't run the entire distance and was pleased to discover that a "run 3 minute, walk 2 minute" routine was very acceptable in the running world.  So, that's what I was going to do.  The weekly running schedule included a "long run" that increased by 1 mile each week.  Two miles was a cinch, 3 miles was still very do-able, 4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles - oh my gosh - the miles kept increasing and I kept going.  I was absolutely amazed that I could actually keep up the pace for such a long distance - and still live to tell about it.

Was it easy?  NO!  There were some runs that were worse than awful, and some that were actually relaxing and enjoyable.   Rain was not fun and cold winds were worse but sunshine and 45-50 degree temps were heavenly.  There was absolutely no rhyme or reason as to when I would have a good run, and when I would feel like I would NEVER be able to finish.  That shocked me!  I couldn't believe that I could run 6 miles one day and then struggle to run 3 miles a few days later.  But I kept at it.  I didn't quit.  I trained and trained and trained and then did it!  I made it the entire 13.1 miles and have the medal and picture to prove it.  I personally needed to go above and beyond my usual fitness routine.  I needed to do something that I had never done before.  I needed to prove to myself that although I was never an athlete - and had never run a race before in my life - that I could indeed run with the big dogs if I wanted.  (Of course the big dogs were home, showered, had lunch, a nice nap and probably off to their next adventure before I crossed the finish line...but that was ok...there were a couple of hours when we were actually running in the same race together!)

So many of you have written me e-mails about your progress as you too are going above and beyond in maintaining good health through exercise.  Some have never kept with a fitness program for an extended period of time - until now!  Some of you have exercised for years and continue to do so, without fail!  With Spring right around the corner, some of you are just getting started with your Mary-thon while others are nearing the "Half-Mary-thon" point.  Some have had to start over for one reason or another, but EACH of you have promised me that you are committed to finish!  Remember - there's a beautiful medal waiting for you at the finish line to forever remind you that you did indeed go "Above and Beyond"!  


I received some pictures from one of our Mary-thoners - Sharon - from San Jose California.  Sharon just returned from her vacation - where she was able to keep up with the Mary-thon.  Where did Sharon vacation?  ANTARTICA!!!!  We have truly gone global with the Mary-thon!  Thank you Sharon for taking the Mary-thon to our 7th continent!!!!


Bravo to each and everyone of you as you spring forward - going above and beyond!  


Keep Moving Forward!
Mary

Sharon - Mary-thoning with the Penguins!

Sharon (wearing a Project Linus t-shirt!) sharing a Mary-thon moment with a precious baby seal!

"Up North is a State of Mind"

Fifty-plus years ago Terry’s grandparents purchased land on a beautiful lake “up north”. Over the years they built a little cabin (no electricity, no plumbing) that their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and now great-great grandchildren enjoy each summer.  You would think that after decades of visiting the same place “up north” it would get routine, mundane or evening boring.  Not true!  Every time we travel “up north” the anticipation of a week in the Northwoods is almost more than we can handle and the let down we feel when we leave has never declined over the years. 

This week was an “up north” week.  Things have changed a bit in 50 years – we now have our own cabin with electricity and plumbing, but the “little cabin” is still there, across the lake, begging for us to visit – even in the winter.  So, part of the routine for our visits always includes a visit to the “little cabin”.  In the summer we row across the lake - and in the winter we walk (trudge) on the frozen water.  

This year our “Mary-thon” workout took us trudging across the frozen lake in the snow and I’d like to take you on a virtual tour of our outdoor fitness center.  Keep in mind that in years past our “up north” visits were only during the warm summer months.  A winter with no heat, no electricity and no water – in other words “extreme camping” – was never on our “to do” list so we limited our visits to June, July and August.  Experiencing the snowy and icy Northwoods is relatively new to us - but fun and exciting, nonetheless.  So – here’s how we fufilled our “Mary-thon” commitment this week:

Standing on the lake, ready to start hiking across.  Much of the snow melted or blew off...leaving a 29 acre ice skating rink!

It was a little "blustery" so the hood came up as the jogging began.  That didn't last long...it got hot real quick once I got moving!

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

The raft is floating in 12 feet of water...ready for a swim?  

This is the "bath rock" where we left our towels and toiletries and the lake was our bath tub.  I never really got into "lake bathing"...so Terry built me a portable tent-outdoor shower instead!  Loved it!

The Lake is called "Cherry Lake".  This is the "Cherry Pit".  For 30 years we've been passing the time holding our noses and reading the quote inside the door that says:  "A Royal Flush" is better than a "Full House"!  

Cabin Sweet Cabin!  How do you like Terry's hat?  A true Northwoodsman!

Looks like I'm carrying wood to fuel the fire.  I'm not...just pretending!

Time for some strength training - jogging up and down the hill from the lake to the little cabin.  It was snow and ice packed - which made it a bit of a challenge. Still a great way to work out!

Yep - we pumped water.  If that wasn't hard enough - carrying two buckets of water up the hill and back to the cabin was quite a workout as well.  Fortunately - as soon as our kids were old enough to pump and haul water - they did the pumping and the hauling!  

In the summer - we paddle.  In the winter - we sit and snuggle.  

No fresh fish this time...too hard to crack the ice...too cold to fish.                                       (Personally I'd rather sew than fish anyway.)

Time to finish up my workout and jog back to the "big cabin". 

Catching a few "rays" on the raft before going inside.  

As we leave the Northwoods, I find that when I go for an outside run, or workout in front of a window, or even just hold on to an image or two of the trees and the lake and the sky and the cabin and especially the natural beauty of the outdoors...I can be back "up north" - because "Up North is a State of Mind" - and I LOVE being there!

Hope you find your "up north" as you exercise this week.  

Keep Moving Forward!

Mary

Nothing Motivates Like Success!!!

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” Bill Cosby

 

What is success?  Success is the achievement of an objective or goal.  

What is a desire for success? The desire for success is an eager wish to obtain or enjoy the achievement of the set objective or goal.

 

So – what does this have to do with the Moving Forward Mary-thon? Everything! :-)

As of today, you, along with 156 others have committed to be a mary-thoner.  You have set a fitness goal for yourself and are in the process of completing that goal within a 26 week period.  In other words, you have an eager wish to obtain the goal of completing the Mary-thon...and that eager wish is much stronger than any fear of failure you may once have had before you began the race.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

Here's a bit of interesting news:  I have discovered that there are some “Closet Mary-thoners” who have not officially registered to join with us, but still have been inspired to exercise…because of your example!   If your friends would like to join us...please tell them to contact me.  Some may feel they don't need any kind of acknowledgement for their efforts...but really...THEY CAN EARN A MEDAL!!!!  :-)  Thank you for spreading the word!    

 

You may have already established your fitness program, but the following are some tips for exercise success that may help if your routine becomes just that...routine: 

• If you've been sedentary for a long time, are overweight, have a high risk of coronary heart disease or some other chronic health problem, see your doctor for a medical evaluation before beginning a physical activity program.
• Choose activities that are fun, not exhausting.  Add variety.  Develop a repertoire of several activities that you can enjoy.  That way, exercise will never seem boring or routine.
• Wear comfortable, properly fitted footwear and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity.
• Find a convenient time and place to do activities.  Try to make it a habit, but be flexible. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day another way.
• Use music to keep you entertained.
• Surround yourself with supportive people.  Decide what kind of support you need.  Do you want them to remind you to exercise?  Ask about your progress?  Participate with you regularly or occasionally?  Allow you time to exercise by yourself?  Go with you to a special event, such as a 10K walk/run?  Be understanding when you get up early to exercise? Spend time with the children while you exercise? Try not to ask you to change your exercise routine?  Share your activity time with others.  Make a date with a family member, friend or co-worker.  Be an active role model for your children.
• Don't overdo it.  Do low- to moderate-level activities, especially at first.  You can slowly increase the duration and intensity of your activities as you become more fit.  Over time, work up to exercising on most days of the week for 30-60 minutes.
• Keep a record of your activities.  Reward yourself at special milestones.  
• Nothing motivates like success!

If you began your Mary-thon the first week of January – you are currently 1/4^th of the way through!  Applause!  Applause!  Applause!  

No matter where you are on the course – you are moving in the right direction and I applaud you for that!  Don’t forget to e-mail me with your mailing address when you complete 65 days of exercise (at the end of 13 weeks).  I have a special  “Half-Mary-thon” surprise for you and hopefully it will inspire you to continue the 2^nd half of the race.

Keep Moving Forward!

Mary

As We Courageously Continue...Personal Best is Best!

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” –Winston Churchill

All too often our good intentions in and of themselves produce such a euphoric feeling of well-being that we never allow them to develop into anything more than simple ”impulsive wishes”.   A thought floats into our head and all of a sudden we become overwhelmed with ideas, possibilities, goals and even dreams of where we may end up as a result.  And then, something unforeseen happens…something takes us out of our creative bliss and back to what we recognize as “real life”.  In the process – we totally give up on our initial thought and that which followed.  We abandon the very idea that convinced us that the “impulsive wish” could indeed be a reality.  We often find ourselves taken from the exhuberance of our potential to the melancholic realization that it’s just not EVER going to happen.

 

Pre-week #1 of the Mary-thon brought about 150 different levels of “yes” in response to the fitness challenge.  

Do you recognize your initial response to my invitation to join me?

“Sign me up!”  “I’m in!”  “I can’t wait to get started.”  “Thanks for the encouragement!”  “I really need to do this.”  “I hate to exercise but this sounds like something I can do.”  “I will do it!  I promise!”  “I’ve never completed a fitness goal but I WILL finish the Mary-thon.”  “I already exercise but I’m going to take my work-out to the next level.”  “I’m going to train for a 5K or a 10K or a half-marathon – thanks for the encouragement.” 

Of course there were many, many other replies…all positive...all ready and willing to begin.  And do you know what?  I believe every word.  I believe you when you tell me what you are going to do, how often you are going to do it, and especially that you are going to “Meet me at the finish line.”   

So - Where are you now - 1 month later?  Are you still excited?  Are you still working hard?  Are you tracking your progress on your chart?  Do you still feel the positive excitement you felt on Day #1?  Or...are you struggling.  In other words - have you "hit the wall"? Often times the realization that our goals were simply unrealistic can drain us of our enthusiasm allowing the "f" word (failure) to creep into our minds.  What's the next step?  How do we "push through the wall"?    

If you have set a realistic Mary-thon goal and have been successful, so far – BRAVO!!!  Keep up the great work!  If you have set a goal that’s totally unrealistic – and have dropped out of the Mary-thon – reevaluate yourself and reset your goals to something that you CAN do – and start again.  If you feel that you are not challenging yourself and could do more…pick up the pace and do more!  It’s that easy.

 

We DON’T need to make excuses as to why we can’t finish or why we're destined to fail.  We DO need to continue to pat ourselves on the back EACH day that we get closer to our 130 day (over 26 weeks) goal.

 

I know that 26 weeks (130 days of exercise) can seem like an eternity at times…but 13 weeks (65 days of exercise) is much closer.  What a sense of accomplishment you will feel when you hit that "half-way through" milestone.  I want to personally applaud you when you reach the half-way point.  When you have completed HALF of the Mary-thon (65 days of exercise) – send me your mailing address and I will send you something to applaud your efforts and hopefully motivate you to continue on.

 

Congratulations to each of you and Keep Moving Forward!

Mary

The Moving Forward Mary-thon can be "Fun to Do"!

"We believe that the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better is by making it fun to do. We call it The Fun Theory.”   

An Initiative of Volkswagen

I discovered the following video online and immediately thought of our Mary-thon.  Here is the premise of this experiment: 

"Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better” is something we often hear or read in the Sunday papers. Few people actually follow that advice. Can we get more people to take the stairs over the escalator by making it fun to do?"  See the results here as you watch the video, think of how you can apply the principle of “making it fun to do” to our Mary-thon...and then read on!

What a fascinating theory!  To be able to accomplish a positive change in behavior by making it “fun”!   I have found that there are so many things in my life that I would like to change – behaviors that I would like to improve – yet the process for achieving a positive end result is just too laborious (in other words - not fun) to even attempt.  Since this is the “Moving Forward Mary-thon” blog, my thoughts on this subject take me to my “5 days per week, 30 minutes per day, 26 week” program of exercise.  

I have found that the feeling of accomplishment AFTER completing my exercise for the day can actually produce a euphoric feeling of satisfaction for a job well done, yet I still struggle!  I KNOW exercise is good for me and I KNOW I will feel elated when I’m finished yet I often find that each day, when I'm faced with the choice "to exercise" or "not to exercise" I hear the whisperings of that little devil sitting on my shoulder, trying to convince me that I really don’t need to exercise “right now” or even “today”.  You would think that since I have engaged in some type of a regular exercise program for the past 6 years, he would leave me alone!!!  But, although his visits have become less frequent, he still shows up on occasion – and if I listen, I always end up disappointed in myself and the choice I made.

So, what inspires us to follow through on our exercise goals?  What motivates us?  As I begin Week #5 of our Moving Forward Mary-thon I believe that I have been successful for the past 4 weeks because I’ve been having fun.  It’s fun for me to mark off my days on my Mary-thon chart.  I love to put my beautiful foil smiley face stickers on Days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and my “Good Job” weekly stickers on my chart at the end of the week.  In addition, I love to share my thoughts with you as we train together.  It’s fun for me!  I like the exercises I’ve chosen for myself.  I do strength training (arms and legs) 2 or 3 days per week and I run 3 days per week.  Although it’s not always fun when I’m in the thick of it – it’s always fun to take off my running shoes, sit down at my computer, turn on my fan and record my progress on my Daily Tracking Sheet.  It’s also fun to see how much I’ve improved.  

This week I am in the mountains of the west while my husband is attending a medical conference.  I always seem to have trouble with the altitude when I arrive and it’s difficult for me to motivate myself to exercise.  This time, however, I decided to set some goals for myself before I left home.  There is a fitness center in our building with machines I have never used.  As a change of pace, today I rode the stationery bike.  Tomorrow I will work out on the weight machines and Tuesday I will try the Elliptical.  Wednesday and Thursday will be running on the treadmill (my lungs should be ready by then) and Friday will be my choice of my favorite machine from the week.  I’m really looking forward to the change AND to the fun!  

My challenge to you, this week, is to shake things up a bit and incorporate something “fun” into your exercise this week.  Try something different – new music, a new exercise machine, a different walking path, a new set of exercise clothing, a new piece of exercise equipment or a new pair of running shoes.  Maybe you just need a new routine you can follow for the next week.  There are several available online – here’s one place to start:  http://exercise.about.com/  Try something new this week and let me know what “fun” you’ve had. 

If that devil perches himself on your shoulder and starts whispering his oh-so-sweet “do-nothings” in your ear, IGNORE him and be true to yourself and the goals you’ve set. 

Good Luck with your workouts this week and remember:

 

“We all stumble, every one of us. 

That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.”  

Thank you for offering your hand of support to me, as I do the same for you. 

Keep Moving Forward!

Mary