When people ask what I write about on this blog, I generally sum it up by saying healthy living. Of course, that’s always the day I’ve written an entire post about the obstacles with breastfeeding or shown pictures of myself out late dancing with friends. But I guess those can fall under healthy living, too, right?
Reading through the plethora of healthy living blogs, one thing is evident. Healthy living means different things to different people and everyone has their strength. Some people are marathoners and triathletes. Others can whip up impressive recipes with no formal training. Me? I like to think I have a balanced approach, my strength being in healthy eating.
I can meal plan, go to the farmers market, play in the kitchen and sample new foods all day long. I love the taste of fresh foods. I love the way they make me feel. Yes, eating well is not my problem.
So what is?
Exercise. And lately I’ve been slacking.
Movement for adventure’s sake comes naturally do me. Want to go explore a new hiking trail? Count me in! Ride bikes to the park? Heck yeah. But exercising for just exercising is something I push myself to do strictly because I enjoy the benefits of the afterglow.
No, that’s not sweat. It’s the afterglow.
For this reason, I often feel the need to switch things up. I also thrive on a plan. Remember that 10k I was going to run? That goal kept me driven and focused. Then, as luck would have it, I wasn’t able to run it due to unforeseen circumstances (I had no one to watch my sweet baby girl). So since then, my wogging has tapered quite severely.
I found my way back to yoga and love it. But between the long drive to the studio and the cost ($16/class when full price), it isn’t a viable option for everyday activity.
So, the time has come. NEW PLAN!
This new plan is inspired by my mom who walks for 1 hour everyday…. like every single day of the year. I won’t be committing to that, but Monday-Friday, weather permitting, I’ll walk/wog with Hailey for 1 hour in the morning. I’ll also do yoga (power hour) twice a week.
I’m hoping to add in some strength, too, but I don’t want to overwhelm myself. I’ll start with planks and push ups at home.
With any luck, I’ll regain my wogging strength and hopefully sign up for a 10k this fall. Anyone know of any close to Charlotte?
So there. Now it’s out there which means I have to stick to it.
Do you struggle with exercise?
What motivates you?
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
great plan girl!!! good luck with it 🙂
Caryln @ Caryln Rambles says
There is a 10k at the end of september in winston at Salem Lake and I think that Charlotte does a turkey trot that might be a 10k!
Brittany says
Do you know where I could find more information on these?? Thanks!
lauren says
The Salem Lake race @ the end of September is Salem Lake 30k & 7 miler. 30k starts a half-hour before the 7 miler. We’ve ran the 30k the past two years & it’s a great, no-frills race. Pleasant trail (pea gravel), short drive from the Lake Norman area – and inexpensive! We’re running it again this year, perhaps we’ll see you there.
http://www.twincitytc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=91
Caryln @ Caryln Rambles says
http://www.roadracerunner.com/Races/RunningCalendar.aspx?state=nc&page=1
you can find most races in NC on this website for the wole year!
Katie @ cooklaughmove says
I LOVE exercise. I am not so good about healthy eating, though. I just don’t want to do it and with a husband that is a junk food junkie hardcore, I don’t have the motivation to battle him or make 2 meals.
Whitney says
The only 10ks that I know of in Charlotte are both in August: the Amica Half Marathon and 10K and the other one is at the WWC so it would be a trail 10k. The Turkey trot on Thanksgiving day at SouthPark is an 8k and a 5k.
For some reason I’ve never struggled with exercise. My parents instilled in me & my sister at a young age how important taking care of our bodies are. Our weekend family time including a trip to the gym. I love the feeling you get after a good workout so that is what motivates me!
Good for your for recognizing and revamping your plan!!! Just do it! 🙂
Brittany says
There is one at the WWC?? Awesome!! I’m going to google that one now. Thanks!
blackhuff says
Do you know how I see “Healthy Living?”
Healthy living is not just about eating the correct foods and exercising often. No. It’s about your physiological health as well. Things like family life, social life and life in general. How you cope with every day life in a Healthy way. That is how I see “Healthy Living,” and that is precisely what your blog is about.
I’m glad to see that you have changed things up a bit. This means that you will start showing progress again. Without changing things up, progress can’t happen. So well done.
What motivates me? My mini goals I make for myself and also changing up my training routine every 2-4 weeks. That helps too.
Brittany says
You put this so beautifully! Like you, I believe healthy living encompasses the physical, mental and emotional parts of well being. I also love that you switch up your routine every 2-4 weeks. I need to do the same!
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
I am the complete opposite – I can get myself out to exercise but the healthy eating does not come naturally. Don’t get me wrong – I like healthy foods. I just like sugar, too. A lot. Having a plan of attack for both fronts helps me the best. I plan my meals and I plan my workouts. Races help me with that, as does meeting friends for BODYPUMP. However, my lil guy can get super cranky without his morning run and so his fussiness is a good reason to load up and get out of the house.
Lisa says
Doing yoga is actually great strength training – incorporate planks and more chatarangas in your flows (sp? never type yoga words) and you’ll be golden!
Brittany says
I totally agree! My arms and shoulders are always fantastically sore after yoga and I looooove it. Some people don’t see yoga as strength, but I totally believe it counts 🙂
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
I hear you! For me, I just get burnt out really fast. One things that’s helped me is having people to workout with me. Even if I dont’ actually work out WITH someone, just going to the gym to meet someone is enough to get me there. And once I’m there, I’m usually fine!
Also, I just got Spotify on my phone. It’s $10 a month but I’ve been RAVING about it to everyone, because it’s the best for making sure your playlist doesn’t get stale! New music definitely gets me excited about going for a jog!
Brittany says
David just discovered spotify and is bragging about it, too. I have no idea exactly what it is though!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
Great post. We all have our weaknesses. I have always loved exercise, but I actually have the opposite problem. I love it so much that I find it tough to take days off. As I get older and busier (and especially now as a mom) I’m forced to take more days off and it’s been good for my body and mind. 🙂
Kelly@Runmarun says
First of all, you look AMAZING! You clearly take really good care of yourself. I think walking/wogging sounds like a great plan combined with yoga- and it will be special time you can spend with Hailey. My motivation to run is the “runner’s high” I feel afterwards but Lula definitely motivates me too…
Erin says
I’m right there with you…it’s hard to be self motivated! I just try to build exercise into my daily schedule at the same time each day. That way, I’m less likely to put if off. Good luck!
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
I definitely struggle with exercise! I need to do it though to get in shape. I am “learning” to run a 5k and my runs recently have been less than fab. I’m struggling with it and questioning if its something I should stick with. I’m signed up for my 2nd 5k on July 4th. I plan to stick with it through than, then after reexamine my fitness routine.
Brittany says
We all have runs that are sub par (at least I hope so because I have a lot!!), but if you’re not enjoying it, I agree, it’d probably be a good idea to switch things up after your 5k. But good for you for going for a goal! I know having one always helps me 🙂
Lauren says
I find I struggle the most when I let myself fall out of the habit if exercising. I just trained for 2 halfs, in late Febuary and May, and I completely fell in live with running. Not having a goal is messing with me though, I don’t really want to do anything else – yet without a goal i am less motivates to keep it up. I get into that all or nothing mindset. Thanks for the reminder that I can do this, tangible goal or not, the really goal is health.
Brittany @ Britt's Blurbs says
I definitely struggle staying motivated with exercise! If I don’t write out my exercise plan and/or lay my clothes out ahead of time I find it easier to skip my workout. Sticking to a plan and realizing how much happier I am, helps motivate me. I’m loving the Tone It Up girls because they’re workouts are always challenging but fun! They also do a great job planning out your workouts for the week!
Christie says
I don’t struggle with running, my true love, but have a lack of motivation to weight train when the gym is packed. I really enjoy it, but when there are people everywhere I can’t help but just turn around and leave. Since schools are out for summer it has gotten much worse. I am trying to motivate myself to do more at home, but usually once I am done working out, I am done. Especially since I have Riley at home, too.
Charlotte Running Company usually hosts, and definitely advertises for, a bunch of races, so I recommend checking out their website.
Maria says
We obviously have been going through the same motivation issues with exercise for the past few weeks, so I’m here if you need support and someone to get you motivated on an off day!
Sometimes just telling a friend that I’m going to do my workout tonight is just enough to get me out the door.
When I don’t want to lift for strength, I do a simple body weight circuit at home: 25 squats, 12 push ups, 25 bicycle crunches, repeat 4 times and go as fast as you can. It’s enough to get my HR up and keep my muscles in shape.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Good luck with the plan. I’ve had to alter mine too. Now that I work M-Th in order to get Fridays off from work (a summer hours perk), I have had to shorten my M-Th workouts. I’m adding in more swimming and boot camp style workouts that tone while elevating my heart rate. It’s not a bad change, really. 🙂
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
sounds like an awesome plan!!! Exercise is a HUGE struggle for me as well.
Lisa says
That is a great plan! You have to do what works for you!! I definitely don’t struggle in that circumstance, I usually take on too much exercise and push myself way past the comfort zone, not always in a good way. So, I’m kind of reversing from what you are doing, trying to not rely on exercise as a coping mechanism for anxieties and stresses in my life. I love your balanced approach to healthy eating and living! So I love your blog 🙂
Brittany says
Aw, thanks Lisa! I love your’s too!
Adria @ A Spoonful of Healthy says
Oh my goodness! We are in the exact same place. As I was reading your post, I thought I was talking to myself! Hunh! So, I pledge to do the exact same thing as you! Given that my gym membership is almost over and our impeding move (in only 8 days!!!), I kind of slacked off. But I will walk-wog just like you 1-hour every day Monday through Friday. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Suzana says
For me personally, the very best thing to motivate me to go for a long(ish) walk is a new podcast or an audio book. I feel so much better doing something while listening to them, and it’s the perfect excuse to get outside 🙂
Brittany says
I just got an audio book- great suggestion! Thanks 🙂
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
As always, thanks for your honesty. I’ve always struggled with being consistent with working out. I’m like you. I’m all about doing something active that’s also fun … like hiking or something. But I’m not a big gym person. And I’m bad about pushing myself with strength-training workouts. These past couple of weeks, I’ve hardly worked out at all because I’ve been busy with the new house and lots of houseguests. But I need to get back into it. I’m thinking I need to find a 5k or 10k in the area to start training for!
Sarah says
I’m kinda like you. I get easily distracted/bored, so exercise for me tends to go in cycles. Right now, I exercise when it will benefit me most…sometimes I really just need to sit and relax instead! But my favorites right now are Inside Out Method dvd’s, long walks with the fam, and yoga classes:-).
Belinda says
Healthy eating is easy for me – I’ve always adored my veggies and fruit since I was little. But exercise has always been a big struggle in my life! I was born with a chronic blood disorder and my parents always sheltered me more than was necessary. Not to blame them! I know they just love me a lot and want to protect me. But it made me feel like I would never be able to be active like normal people. But after getting my doctor’s ok I’ve started running for the first time in my life. Running was always the one thing I was convinced my body couldn’t do – and it feels amazing!! Change is always possible 🙂
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, Belinda, that’s awesome! Good for you for pushing yourself (reasonably, of course). It sounds like you’re on a great healthy track and thanks for the reminder to not take being able to be active for granted.
Eli says
I think your plan is awesome. I love walking/jogging/running and it gets you and the baby out of the house, fresh air, etc.
Jen says
Great plan, Brittany! I want to get more into stroller racing soon, so if you’re up for it, maybe we can do a 5k w/ the babies?!
PS- your mom is awesome!
Aly says
I would much rather do a workout than diet, but I guess we’ll see how I continue after I have my baby. I’ve already had to decrease the intensity.