can she do it? #2

I am very pleased to see that I will not be alone in my misery. Who knew this spider could spin such a sticky web? While I am letting Jillian Michaels kick my butt for 30 days, the following is also underway:

Kelly is giving up escalators and elevators for a month. I did this once years ago and lost 40lbs in two months. I worked on the 12th floor of an office tower and had to go back and forth to the basement many times a day. The first week was horrible. I wished for oxygen tanks by the fourth floor. By the end of the first month, I started wishing for more stairs. By the end of the second month, I could do the whole set several times in a row.

Tristan is planning to start eating a healthier diet and mentions drinking a lot of Dr. Pepper. I used to find pop very addicting. When I finally gave it up, I had three rough days (I swear it can be like a drug detox: sweats, headache, shakes....). I chose to drink only water and have no other beverages because I didn't want to replace one unhealthy habit with another. It worked. Now I only have clear tea and water and never crave pop.

I definitely think the road to success is built with small steps.

GardenLily jumped on the stationary bike and clocked in 5 km already.
You go, girl! When there was an opportunity for me to exercise or procrastinate this morning, I decided I'd dive right in to the exercise before my mind could think of 612 more important things to do. I hope there's some more stationary expeditions in GardenLily's near future too.

egorman (got a blog?) will get up early each morning (6:00 am) for the workout (25 minutes), and walking for 30 minutes every night after work.
Sounds like an excellent plan, egorman. I really like the Shred dvd because it's just a twenty minute commitment (and I already walk two hours a day by necessity as it is). Small, manageable steps that can fit into a tight schedule. Works for me. I hope you'll let us know how you're doing.

Kate would prefer to just eat French Fries for a month but I like this idea... so I will pledge to walk 2 miles, every day, 'til the end of November.
What are we going to do with Kate? Besides dangle fries on a stick in front of her as she walks her 2 miles a day. Good idea.

I chose 30 days because I believe it is true that it takes 30 days to create a new habit and break an old one. The first few days are always rough but it's amazing how forgiving the body is and how willing it is to change if you let it.

Today was just day two of my workout and I'm a little achy. I'm aching in places I didn't know I had muscles. Apparently they have been sound asleep.

If anyone else wants to join in, say the word. You just have to want to put conscious effort into something that will benefit your health for the next 3o days.

Suggestions:
daily exercise (sex counts, you know)
eliminating some poor food or drink choices
adding whole foods to your daily fare such as leafy greens, fruits, raw nuts, or seeds
yoga
meditation
mental fast: stop yourself from negative self-talk or bringing down someone else
brisk walking
dancing yourself into a sweat

Do whatever appeals to you and works. It's all good. And sore. But good.