Deadly June~

[supershigi]

Okay guys, it's been 11 months since the last "healthy month" and I feel like I really need something to help push me back in the right direction. I've been far too sedentary in this last season as a result of weather, increased work-related computer usage, and just generally falling off track. Around the new year I hurt my back, and I'm sure that not getting enough exercise and not eating right played a huge part in causing this. So I think it's time for... Healthy February.

Since I'm so far off track, I think this month will be more casual than last time... no rpg-stuff or leveling up, just straight up goals and trying to be accountable to them. I'll also try to post interesting links or recipes if I can (and if other people want to contribute, then by all means please do). So just for the record, this thread is a place for you to post your health-related goals for this month. You can write about things like eating more healthfully, taking daily walks/runs/bike rides, losing or gaining weight, drinking enough water, etc. This thread is also a place to post random health tips, recipes, cool videos or links to informative articles.

Anyways, here are my goals for this month... they are oh so long overdue...

shigi's goals

1.) Go on walks or runs at least 3-4 times a week.
2.) Start strength training again... just the simple floor exercises I used to do like push-ups, lunges, etc. Perhaps 3-4 times a week for this would be good as well.
3.) Prepare healthier meals that include plenty of colors... vegetables, fruits, etc.
4.) Develop a routine. As a contractor that doesn't work a typical 9-5 job it's really tough for me not to fall into having a college-like schedule... but I'd really like to go to sleep earlier (perhaps 1-2am at the latest), wake up earlier, eat regular meals, and have a more regular schedule each day.
5.) Daily yoga or stretching.
6.) More tea, less diet soda.
7.) Do something social each week... having tea with my friends, going out for dinner, having folks over for movies, etc.
8.) Make sure to take computer breaks... turn on Workrave so that I don't go for like 4 hours on the computer before realizing I need a break.
9.) Update this thread!

And please, feel free to post your goals here!!

[Ronove]

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1. Drink more water (doing very well with this!)
2. Eat healthier snacks
3. PORTION control.
4. Remember to do at crunches before going to bed since I can't bike.
5. Bike when it is warm!

I also need to find something to help with my stress, cause it's been hitting me hard lately. :(

[shadowseer]

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smoke more cigarettes.
drink more alcohol.
get takeout pizza every week.

[ccoa]

* Work out 2-3 times a week.
* Swim laps at least once a week.
* Give up soda and sweetened tea.
* Stop picking up snacks when I go to the grocery store. I do not need a frozen yogurt every time I go to Costco.
* Stretch when I watch TV. I can no longer get my toes into my mouth (no, I don't do this regularly, just in the bath to test flexibility).

[Kojo]

Eat three fulls meals a day. Yeah, it's that sort of healthy feb for me :D

[Alpha-Mad]

I need to continue eating healthy, but I'd also like to finish p90x. I keep on skipping days. Grrr

[supershigi]

What is p90x Alpha?

[Alpha-Mad]

Its a work out system that you can see on TV. Just Google it, its really well made and I have seen great results. A bit expensive but I borrowed them from a friend

[supershigi]

Ah, is it kind of like Eye Toy for PS2?

[supershigi]

Monday, February 8th... checking in:

I finally worked out today. Let me tell you, the longer you go without working out, the harder it is to get yourself to do it. I haven't had a good workout in maybe months... I told myself yesterday morning that I would exercise. I mean, I wrote it down... I was all firm with myself and shit, but regardless I managed to procrastinate until all of one hour ago. But once I was into it the workout, it felt really good. I feel really good now.

If you're having trouble getting started, here are some of the things I did to finally get my lazy ass in gear:

1.) Music is really helpful. Especially music that you haven't yet gotten tired of yet. I realized I hadn't put new music on my mp3 player in a while, so instead I just made a lengthy playlist on youtube... that was really helpful.

2.) Change your clothes into something you feel comfortable exercising in. This may seem obvious, but sometimes I'll start doing yoga or strength training exercises in my regular clothes since it's not that strenuous... but the moment I feel like I'm going to break even the most minor sweat, I'll back off and the workout somehow never happens. If you change into exercise clothes you won't have any reservations about sweating and you'll feel a lot more mobile and comfortable.

3.) Trick yourself into warming up. Do some housework that makes you move, dance to music, go on a short walk, etc. None of these things really feel like exercise, but they'll prepare you both mentally and physically to do the tougher stuff.

4.) Once you're in the right state of mind (clothes, warmed up, etc.) set little challenges for yourself as you go along. I started really easy today... I just let myself do 2 reps of some very simple floor exercises. Once I accomplished that, I felt motivated to do more... so I did a few more reps, and then I went up and down the stairs for about 20 minutes. Yes, my weakass legs are totally shaking now. Don't push yourself too hard either, because then you'll be out of commission for the next few days and that fleeting post-workout desire to exercise will disappear by the time you feel well enough to work out again.

5.) Have a bottle of water nearby... the more you're into the workout, the more you'll drink and water is good for you.

***Does anyone want to do an exercise-match with me? By this I mean... we can have the agreement that if you post your workout, I'll have to match you and vice versa. So for example, say Died says "okay I did 15 push-ups just now"... then I have to do 15 push-ups. Or if Rye is like, "I just did a set of crunches" then I have to go do a set of crunches. Of course you don't have to match exactly; it's just about being accountable. I did this with my mom for a while... she'd take a walk and then call me and be like, "okay I walked, now you have to match me" so I'd walk or run. Anyways, let me know if you're interested and we can just post it here.***