Maybe

So, I was looking through an old notebook today and found this. I decided to type it up and make it look a bit better...

Health Habits 2

Hey there!

I know this is a couple of days late for the second 2-week set of health goals. Again, I'm trying to keep things moving forward without going too fast. For this block, I've set a gym workout schedule. I live just 1 block away from my gym and have already been going at least once a week, but I want to take better advantage of that!

Goal 1: Cardio at the Gym

For this goal I have set apart 2 days a week to workout at the gym for cardio ONLY. Wednesday every week involves a 30-minute routine on the stationary bikes and Saturday is 30-minutes on the elliptical machine. It works out that I get about 3 songs in for a 10-minute block so I try to push for 2 songs pushing hard and the third song easing up. I also record how I did with distance, calories, etc and try to push myself harder every week. 

Goal 2: Weights at the Gym

I'm not only doing to weights on these days, but mostly weights. I've learned that within 6 days you will start to lose muscles you've been building up, so I'm going twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. I know these days are close together, but this is what works best with my schedule so that's what I'm sticking to. Sometimes the Thursday workout also gets pushed back to Friday so those weeks do balance out better. For weights we do free weights, benching, abs, then legs. After that it's 10 minutes on the rowing machine, 10 on the stair stepping machine, sit-ups, and planking. I'm hoping to work up from planking to push-ups, but that's where I'm at now. I'll try to post later with more specifics on which machines I use. I always take extra time to stretch after these workouts as well as before I go to bed that night to help loosen up and not be sore the next day. This is especially important with the muscles that you don't use regularly!

Tips: 

1- It's best to take a buddy with you (I'm using my roommates). This makes it more likely for you to go as you can help each other remember and go even on lazy days. They'll also spot you on the weight machines!!!

2- Stop comparing yourself to that person next to you! Your personal level of fitness and the time your spending on the machine are probably different from those people next to you so keep yourself at a good pace and just push to beat yourself.

3- Hydrate. Always bring water and make sure you're taking a sip once in a while! If you get there and realize that you've forgotten water, then leave and come back with some.

4- Stretch. Nothing is harder than trying to go the gym the next day when you can barely walk because you didn't stretch before and after your previous workout. Warm up and cool down with stretching and make sure you take deep, slow breaths as you hold each stretch out. You should 'relax' into each one before moving on to the next.

5- Eat right before and after. As a general rule, it is best to eat carbs before a workout and protein after. I recommend eggs or a glass of milk soon after the gym to help your body build up those new muscles.

And that's it for the second 2 weeks! So far the water & vitamins are going really well! I've done 100% on water, and missed one day of vitamins, but I am back at those again! I've been charting my progress on a calendar as well which really helps me remember and to keep track of everything. The gym visits have also been on my calendar already. I highly recommend a wall calendar so you can see the entire month at-a-glance! Good luck! 

Please comment with any feedback you might have!

Bye!

Health Habits - First Goals

Hey there!

I'm kicking off my blog with a series of posts about making health goals. I'm trying to take this slow with small steps and set a couple of steps for every 2 weeks during this college year (and beyond!?). We're starting school this week, so this is when the goals start! I'll try to be detailed with my goals so that anyone who wants to copy them or even join me will be able to! Please let me know in the comments what you think as well!

First 2 weeks: 2 easy goals.


Goal 1: Drink more water!!!

So, for this first goal, I am turning myself into a CAMEL! Okay, not exactly; but you know what I mean! I keep hearing everywhere about how important drinking more water is, so I figure this will be a great first step to being healthier! What I've done is gone out to buy one of those real water bottles (to me that's the large ones that you don't throw away) and I'm only drinking water out of that now. I have to drink at least 2 full bottles a day plus anything extra like my milk or V8. So far: so good!

Side note: I'm currently trying out the V8 fusion smoothies which are GREAT! I definitely recommend them!


Goal 2: Vitamins

Basically, the other thing that will help me to start feeling better immediately will be to make sure I'm taking my daily vitamins. I do try to eat a variety of food and be fairly healthy there, but I want to be SURE that I'm not missing out on anything important. My way of trying to 'make sure I'm covered' is the One A Day Women's vitamins. I love that you only take them once. I have takes these before and I know how they are really hard to take at first so here are my tips:

1- Only take them after a meal. On an empty stomach, these things definitely can make you nauseous!
2- Don't drink too much water right before/after. These things aren't pleasant when you have that sloshy stomach feeling.
3- Take them at a time of day when you're feeling energetic. I find that after dinner works best for me because I have more food in my system and I'm not sleepy. If your body is feeling strong, it will be able to handle the onslaught of all those vitamins at once and take it in stride.

And that's it for the first 2 weeks! It's that simple. The trick is forming the habit, so if it feels easy then you have no excuse but to SUCCEED! I'll let you all know how I do and I hope someone will try this out for themselves too. I'm ready for making changes :)

Bye!