Welcome to 2013!

Welcome to the new year!  2012 was a great year for me and my family.  We were happy, healthy, and made many memories. 

Just curious...do any of you make new year's resolutions?  I don't really make resolutions, per se.  I like to recount the previous year, learning from my mistakes and opportunities, which helps me focus on the year ahead. 

This year, I would like to focus on time management.  My new job has made exercise, household chores, and running the girls around much more challenging.  Keeping up with household chores is manageable when I utilize a cleaning/laundry schedule, and also when I delegate chores.  Getting the girls to activities, practices, school, and appointments has been made possible thanks to my dear husband stepping in and helping out A LOT.  So, that leaves exercise, which I desperately need to make a priority again.  I will achieve this by utilizing an exercise schedule which includes 2 days of cycling, at least 3 days of running, and 3-4 days of strength training and ab work.

So, what are your goals?  How will you achieve them?  Follow my blog and let's help each other make 2013 a healthy, productive year! 

January Exercise Challenge: Day 21

Yay!  Today is the final day of the challenge and I was able to get a 2 mile run and some ab work in.  This darn cold really stuck around.  I don't get sick often, so when I do I don't handle it well.  I am impatient and don't have time to be sick. 

Now that I'm on the mend I can get back to my routine and start exercising and blogging again.

How did your exercise challenge turn out?  I would love to hear from you!

Remember, don't stop now.  If you've established an exercise routine, stick with it!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 20

Still didn't feel like doing much on Day 20, so I took advantage of lounging around and getting a nap in.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 19

On Day 19 I still wasn't feeling too well, so the extent of my exercise was doing a few minutes of Just Dance 3 with the kids.  And, does carrying my one year old niece around most of the day count for something?  I think so.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 18

Don't worry, I didn't skip a day of exercise, even though I really felt like it!  This stinking cold just hasn't gone away yet.  Yesterday I lost my voice and has me pretty congested. 

However, Brad and I did make it to the rec center last night.  I was able to do 30 minutes of cardio, running on the track and walking on a steep incline on the treadmill.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 17

This morning I went to the rec center and ran on the track and the treadmill for 30 minutes.  As of yesterday, I found out that Brad has committed us to running an indoor marathon relay on February 18th, so I will definitely be increasing my running mileage!  Nothing like having a race planned to motivate me! 

January Exercise Challenge: Day 16

How is everyone feeling?  Have you made exercise a priority and a part of your daily routine?

Today I did 30 minutes of cardio (treadmill, Cybex machine, and running on the indoor track), followed by a 30 minute ab workout.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 15

Thankfully, I am feeling better than yesterday!  Nothing that some garlic, apple cider vinegar and Zicam couldn't fix! 

Anyways, today I did a 20 minute walk, 10 minute yoga workout from Netflix, and the ab workout of the day from www.randomabs.com/today.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 14

Luckily I did my workout at the rec center first thing this morning because I'm not feeling to good right now.  I have a sore throat and have been trying to fight it off all afternoon/evening.  Hoping that I feel better tomorrow.  Anyways, I did 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of ab work today.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 13

Today I was kind of lazy and only did an ab and leg workout.  Tomorrow should be better.  I'm still pleased with myself for doing something rather than nothing!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 12

Today was another busy day filled with Alanna's Spelling Bee, a trip to Home Depot, making lunch and supper in a partially remodeled kitchen with the fridge and stove out in the dining room, and running errands with four girls in tow.  So, for exercise today, I played Just Dance 3 with my daughters, my two nieces, and my nephew for over half an hour.  Now, that the little girls are in bed and the house is somewhat put back together, I am going to do the ab workout of the day on www.randomabs.com/today and some leg/glute exercises.

Hope everyone is hanging in there and completing the challenge!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 11

Today I did ab work, push ups, and leg exercises.  I was busy chasing after my 2 nieces and running my daughters around today; I am surprised I got any exercise done today.  I definitely have to make it a priority and put exercise on my "To Do" list, or it would not get done on days like today!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 10

I found this on www.pinterest.com

Yay!  We are half way through the challenge!  I hope you getting into a daily exercise routine.  If not, why not?  What are your challenges and/or excuses? 

Today I did 30 minutes of cardio (elliptical and running) followed by 30 minutes of ab and leg work.  I did the ab workout of the day from www.randomabs.com/today.  I think I like this website a lot!

Let me know how you are doing at this half way point!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 9

Today was another rec center day for me.  Thirty minutes of cardio and thirty minutes of abs and weights.

Here is a website I found today that gives daily ab workouts:  http://randomabs.com/today/  I will be trying out the daily workout starting tomorrow. 

It's always nice to find new inspiration and ideas to keep me motivated to workout.  I am sure it is the same for you.  So, when I come across something interesting I will post a link for all of you, too!

Keep active!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 8

Hey!  How is everyone doing with the challenge so far???  I hope you are staying motivated and staying active! 

Today I exercised at the rec center.  I did 20+ minutes of cardio (running and elliptical) and then did some ab work.

What did you do today?

January Exercise Challenge: Day 7

Today I exercised 45 minutes by playing Just Dance 3 for the Wii with my girls.  It was actually a good workout.  I broke a sweat and my arms are sore.  It was a fun new way to exercise, a nice change from my usual workouts. 

Get up and get dancing!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 6

Today I went to the rec center and did 40 minutes of cardio, which included running, the elliptical, and the Cybex machine.  I followed that up with some free weights and ab work. 

The rec center was packed today (probably people trying to uphold their New Year's resolutions).  I sure hope they all succeed!  And I hope you have all been able to commit to the January Exercise Challenge!

January Exercise Challenge: Day 5

It was such a beautiful day today that Alanna and I went on a walk this morning.  I actually took my sweatshirt off because I was so warm; unbelievable weather for this time of year.

January Exercise Challenge: Day 4

This morning I walked on a 6-8% incline on my treadmill for 22 minutes (that's how long one episode of The Office is on Netflix) and then lifted free weights and did ab work for another 20 minutes or so. 

How was your exercise today?

January Exercise Challenge: Day 3

Whew!  It's after 11pm and I just finished my 30 minute walk on the treadmill!  Today was busy with helping out in Makenna's first hour class, cleaning the house, making supper, and taking Makenna to dance in Buffalo.  I'm glad I did it, though, and I'm glad I started this challenge to keep me accountable!
I hope you are all getting your 30 minutes of exercise a day!