Challeng yourself....and please don't give up!

 

So I promised in my last post that I would write something each day and as you can obviously see that hasn't happened!

But I have been exercising and reasonably watching what I eat.  I've started going to a core and cycle class twice a week where we do 1/2 hour of core work and a 1/2 hour of indoor cycling.  Core work is so so so important.  It's what gives you good upper body strength and great posture.  Things that are so important as we age. When you engage your core you have better balance and you tend to hold your head up higher.  My trainer always says to hold your head up high and walk in any room like you own it.  If you keep at your core work you will eliminate that ugly belly pooch....which really is important for both women and men.  Cycling of course is a great cardio workout and when you really get into it (it takes a while to be able to stand and get the gears up), but when you can do that you can really burn the calories. 

Having had my surgery for my torn Achilles Tendon, I am having to take it very slow, but as the poster says.....

I've also started doing a 30 day squat challenge....here it is foget the May.....It can be any month.  I'm on day 4 and although it's been a challenge, it's doable.  Now I'm not usually someone who compares myself to anyone else and I challenge myself (because we are all different), but someone recently ask Carrie Underwood how she got her fab legs

and her answer was Squats, Squats, Squats.  They really do tone your legs. But that's just me....I'm not saying you have to take this squat challenge.....I'm just saying once again You are the hope you've been waiting for and I believe in order to make progress you have to challenge yourself.  You have to step out of your comfort zone. You have to push yourself and then push a little harder.  She of course does other leg work...some of which you can see here on this video:    
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=O4ggLE4SQRo&list=UUM1Nde-9 

If you're a Pinterest users you can find all kinds of challenges on there to try.  I just came across 

this one:    This is one of my favorites and I am here to tell you it works...if you want to build up your endurance time for a plank.  Before my surgery when I was in my exercise heyday....I had worked up to 7 minutes.  You just have to do it almost everyday.  So I do mine in the morning along with my squat challenge.  As the old saying goes "when you don't use it you lose it" and that sure applies here.  I've just started the challenge again (and we are doing it in our core and cycle class) and I am only up to 2 mins.  This will truly make your core tight.  One secret is that when your arms start shaking, engage your core....really pull that belly button in and it will take some of the strain off your arms.  I like to do the straight arm plank, but do whatever works for you. Another secret is  to keep your head up and stare at one spot....these practices really help and most importantly don't hold your breath...Breathe!

Well I guess that's enough challenge for today. I'm so happy to be returning to fitness classes and the gym.  I have a long way to go to get back to where I was a year ago but I'm putting one foot in front of the other and taking it one step and one day at a time....and I know I will get there.

Remember to challenge yourself....           

I'm here for you if you want to comment or ask questions.  In 99 days I will be 65 years old....and I am a true believer that you are never too old to get fit and healthy...and this is still one of my goals:
    
GO AT YOUR OWN PACE, BUT PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP