Secrets of Success

Earn TV time with exercise

I make myself 'earn' minutes to watch TV or play computer games by exercising. ie, to watch 30 minutes of TV, I need 30 minutes of activity. 'activity' includes household chores, so this gets me moving, limits how much junk I watch, and gives me a dual purpose for using the vacuum.

wear running shoes

Put on your running shoes when you are doing housecleaning. This always makes me feel like doing things faster, harder and with more stretching, squats lunges etc snuck into my cleaning.

Cleaning house

Cleaning house always helps me lose weight . I stay very active and keep my house tidy at the same time!!

Wii Fit

Every day I try to do something different on my Wii Fit. Aerobics one day...Balance the next and then a day of Yoga... But..Every day I try to do the free step to get in at least 100 steps. It makes me FEEL GOOD!! I KNOW that I am getting my heart beating and I am burning those calories!! YIPPE

Extra Steps Make Big Differences

I always read about it but never did it - now I can't imagine not doing it! Taking the stairs and parking farther away from store entrances help me get in my 10,000 steps a day!

don't tell your buddy if you can't make it

Make a plan to meet somebody at the gym at a certain time. Ask them not to tell you if they can't make it for some reason. This way, you HAVE to show up, because they could be counting on you, and there is less chance for you to back out if they do!

Try it more than once

When you try a new class like cycle/spin or pilates, you should try it more than once. 3 to 4 times preferably. The first time you will be too new and trying to learn everything to enjoy it. And will likely have soreness after. By the 3rd time, you can tell if you are going to enjoy it or not.

Fat people can run, too!

Just because you are overweight doesn't mean you can't run! I started out slowly last March and ran the Portland Marathon in October - still 60 pounds overweight! If I can, you can, too!

Get an exercise buddy

Find someone to exercise with. When you do have the motivatin, they will and when they are "making excuses" you give them the motivation to exercise. It's a win/win!

Start Small To Make Exercise "Routine"

If you want to make sure Fitness is a Habit, start small with something you know you can do. Start walking or walking stairs at your office (I did this) for 10 minutes 3x a week. Make the habit first--even say it out loud to others--once you have the routine then add minutes or intensity!