Secrets of Success

Laying out workout clothes

I lay out my workout clothes the night before. I also reset my pedometer and leave it attached to my workout shorts. That way I get up, get dressed and start logging those steps!

1 min Burst

I have found that one good way to add a little extra kick to my exercise is to one 1 minute burst. This can be any exercise you want doing it as hard as you can for just one minute. I try to repeat these about once an hour mostly in the afternoons, when I do a lot more sitting.

Sweat

Typically I try to sweat for at least 15 minutes while working out. But lately I've been trying for longer. That usually tells me I have gotten my heart rate up and it makes me feel so much better. Like I have accomplished something important.

Sleep in my workout clothes

I have a terrible time committing to exercise. One morning I woke up and realized I was already dressed for the workout, made the coffee drank some water and fired up the DVD. It changed my day. I love my Leslie Sansone, Ellen Barrett and of course Coach Nicole's workout videos because they make me feel good, remind me to keep breathing and put me in touch with how powerful my body really is!.

Doing it My Way

I started after spotting a book called Walk Off Weight. I bought it and started walking. That's it. I didn't change my eating habits as I was into healthy eating for some time. I had to walk a lot more than most people because I have always been a walker. SparkPeople helped me stay motivated in many ways. I read what is being said, then I do it my way.

Up & down stairs & across the building

I work at a pretty good sized church & sometimes I need to talk to the custodian. I can just call him, but if I'm not super busy & don't have someone waiting in my office, I'll walk to find him. Today I needed to find him & went down one level, across the building & up to floors, across the building again & down to the main level. The only problem was that he was going in the opposite direction at the other end of the building. I didn't find him but did get a mini-workout.

Challenges

I started mini fitness challenges that I am able to do while at work, such as squats or lunges. I have my own office so it is easy for me to just shut my door and do things, but sometimes I would do them in the bathroom or while walking where no one else was. It helps gives that little bit of extra fitness in where you would normally have none.

Walking at Lunch

Try to add a few more minutes walking at lunch during the workday, either by running errands or just getting away from your desk.

The Computer

I set a timer for 15 minutes when I sit down at the computer. When the timer goes off it is time to get up and do something while moving about. Tada---more housework don. If you want, time the housework for 15 minutes and then back to the computer.

Walk the dog

A year ago, I move far away from home with my husband and I decided to take a dog so I would feel less lonely. The other positive point is that I have to take a walk with him two or three times a day. He's so happy when we go out that it's great motivation to go.