Today was the day. The day to lace up the ole shoes and start working off all those holiday sweets I’ve been indulging in for the past month.
I’m sure I’m not alone with I say that I have a love-hate relationship with working out. I’ve stuck with a pretty consistent 4-to-5-day-a-week schedule for the past 4ish years, but I still go through many peaks and lulls along the way. I just haven’t found my “thing” yet. Y’know? That thing that you do? Some people are runners, some are weight lifters, some are Crossfitters, or yogis, or Zumba enthusiasts or Jazzercisers. But I can’t figure out what mine is. I’ve tried tae bo (who can resist a spandex-clad Billy Blanks?). I’ve tried free ExerciseTV videos on hulu. I’ve tried running. Oh, how I tried to love running. I ran a few 5ks, one 10k, and then tried training for a half-marathon before I hit a major IT-Band wall. And then I was depressed and cranky for 4 months. So maybe let’s not get into that right now.
My most recent kick was the Insanity program.
If you’ve heard of P90x, Insanity is a similar program from the same producers. 60-something days of cah-razy cardio antics, mostly using your own body weight instead of equipment. There’s cardio, there some yoga-type stretching, there’s even an upper body weight training disc for those who love to lift. I made it about 3 full rounds before I got burnt out. And I guess I should also say that I felt a bit discouraged, because I never saw any of those crazy weight-loss results that the infomercials are always touting. In addition to tracking my starting weight, I also took measurements, since they’re more accurate indicators of progress. I actually gained, but I’d attribute that to muscle mass vs. fat. But it’s still hard to find the motivation when the numbers on the scale stay about the same, and the numbers on the tape measure grow!
So now that post-holiday pounds and New Year’s resolutions are staring me down, I’m still trying to figure out what my “thing” is.
What’s your fitness activity of choice? Have you tried Insanity or P90x, or a similar program before? What has/hasn’t worked for you?
I totally feel you with getting back on the workout train! I am trying to get back on it since my last marathon mishap!
I would say my favorite fitness activity is running, hence my blog :). I have tried P90x but wasn’t a big fan of it. I liked the plyo. workout, but it proved to be hard on my knees. I’ve never done insanity, but it looks interesting!
I envy people who love running… I am slow, and I truly believe my body wasn’t built for it. The first time I did Insanity, I really hurt my knees, but once I corrected my form and got a new pair of cross-trainers, things got better.
Maybe that’s what I did wrong in p90x (used incorrect form)! Running is definitely tough, and it has taken me many years to develop into the runner I am, regarding mental strength and stamina!
I could not agree more with your running comment!!! I have tried and tried and tried to love running, but I just can’t! Well, I shouldn’t say can’t, it’s more like won’t. I know I have at least two 5km runs next year, so I will need to get back into at least a little bit of running. Who knows… maybe I’ll actually enjoy it?? Not sure if you are an iPhone/android user, but there are sooo many amazing apps for working out. The Nike ones are pretty amazing, and you can do them alone or with a friend. The Couch to 5k app was the one that actually helped me sort of run my first 5k last year, in case you decide to try it again š
I’d really love to try out the Nike Plus types of programs. I didn’t have an iPhone when I started running; I’ve gotten it since I’ve given up. So maybe I should give it another chance and use of these apps š The Couch to 5k programs are really helpful! That’s how I started running in the first place… should probably give it another go š
And here I sit at the computer! You are too good!
Have a very Happy New Years!
Haha! Happy New Years to you too!!
It’s that time of year again! These programs you are talking about sound good? Not too time consuming and easily accessible. I’ve been having similar thoughts but am rubbish at self motivation! I have had the most success in the past through committing to a weekly class, it doesn’t sound like much but really does make a difference when your baseline is low! I’m going to go and do karate once a week. All I have to motivate myself to do is get there!
Good luck with your new program!
thank you! I have never tried formal classes… my biggest hurdle is spending the money to join a gym or some group like that. I did try a running group once, where group runs were scheduled twice a week. That worked out decently well until I hurt my knee :-/. Karate sounds fun! Good luck with finding motivation! I struggle with that as well!