Exercising

Recently, I have been trying to spice up my work out routine. I got into a huge rut after ending my swimming career. I felt that since I had put 15 years into the sport that I deserved some time off. Which I did, but not as much as I took. I would swim a bit with my friend Shay and walk all the time, love walking with the dogs, kids, anyone. Then, I started doing yoga after I had Cora. My body was all out of whack and I needed something to keep me balanced, being a new mom and I needed the focus on something physical. I absolutely love yoga and still do it weekly, but wish I could do it 4 times a week, but that doesn't work with my schedule. When we moved away from Ankeny I had to say goodbye to Balance Yoga Lounge and had to say goodbye to yoga classes tht worked with my schedule. I still didn't feel like I was doing all that I needed to for my body to keep it in shape and to make me happy. I then started to add the eliptical, which is a great cardio activity b/c swimming wasn't and still isn't happening very much anymore due to schedule conflict. For a few weeks, the balance of yoga, walking, and eliptical, along with abs (of course) was working very well. Soon, Erik was growing so fast and getting so heavy for me to carry, that I felt my strength needed to improve. I was skeptical b/c I didn't want to have my muscles be anything like they were in college. I was happy with the size I was post Erik. I had a lot of new clothes to fit me and I really didn't want to grow and have to buy bigger sizes. After a lot of reading about weight lifting and contemplating it, I decided to go for it. I eased myself into it. I started doing two arm and two leg exercises each time I lifted. I didn't lift much, but enough to make me work a bit. I still dont't lift much, just enough to sweat a bit and keep me toned. I lift 2 times a week (most weeks). I do not always do the same thing or else I would get bored. Like I said earlier, adding all of these different exercises into my regime was to spice things up a bit in order to keep me interested in working out and staying fit, plus it makes it fun. I set little goals each time I workout to keep me going. Now, the newest thing I started doing is running. If you know me, you know I am not a huge fan of running. In fact, I used to HATE it! I was walking in the treadmill one day and decided to give it a whirl. I ran for a bit and it wasn't bad. The next time I was walking, I did it again and that time I did it longer. Now, I do intervals where I walk for a minute or two, then run for a minute or two. I increase my speed the further I get into the workout (which is never longer than 30 minutes). I am not going to ever be a long distance runner, but the way I feel after I am done running is so incredible! Ran into some knee trouble last week (hah...still pun) so I backed off and will ease myself back into it. I am a firm believer that mixing up your workout routine will keep you interested in exercising longer and it will keep your mind from being bored! Hope to soon post a weekly workout routine!