Becoming an early morning exerciser...part two

The hardest part is over once you get out of the house...and I did it!  Yep that's right, I got to the gym just before 7am (I'm going to work on getting that to an earlier time, but you've got to start somewhere).  Monday-Tuesday at the gym, and Wednesday I tried out a yoga class at Ultimate Pilates in Glendora.  Thursday, I opted out but still got up early...but my muscles were super sore so I took a day of rest.  

The benefits of being an early riser/exerciser have yet to be determined on my part.  I have yet to notice a boost in energy or productivity.  While I do seem to make better food choices throughout the day I still struggle with the late night binge.  I'm going to keep it up though because I know it takes time to adjust.  Here are a couple of links to check out:

Seven reasons to exercise before breakfast

6 Benefits to being a Morning Exerciser

Now let me tell you about my yoga class.  I signed up online with the Mind Body app.  For me it's super beneficial that I book a class ahead of time.  If it's booked I have to be there.  Ultimate Pilates had a deal where you could purchase an unlimited week of classes for $25.  Yoga, Wednesday morning with Lucas was awesome.  There were a total of four students (so lots of individual attention and adjustments were available).  He was a fun yoga teacher too...picture a funny Disney Jungle Cruise operator but nice. The class ran 75 minutes and let me tell you I can feel the difference an extra 15 minutes makes.  My legs and thighs, arms and shoulders are very sore today (but it's that good sore...accomplished sore).  Next up is Booty Barre Flex and Flow (again love that I am already booked for a Saturday morning class...no excuses).

Happy New Year to you, cheers to this being a great year for all of us! Have a safe and happy new year's eve and I'll see ya next year!

Out with old and in with the new

Dear 2015,

You were not my year.  You did teach me some lessons though, and for that I thank you.  I spent much too much of this year in tears, too much time was wasted on frustration/anger and the sadness that accompanies those feelings.  There were good times too and in the years to come I'll just try to remember those. 

Sincerely...good bye and good riddance.

Dear 2016, 

Be kind to me.  Please help me to find work that is worthwhile and that I feel good about at the end of the day.  Help me to keep in mind that my health should be a priority as I tend to forget when I pass sugary temptations...and can become much too comfy on the couch when I know I should be doing something (anything really).  Find ways for me to be comfortable in my own skin, allow me to be happy with who I am without comparing myself to others (but a good version of myself...the healthy, go getter version if you please).  Lastly (for now) make sure that I take plenty of time for those that I care about so that there is never any doubt about much I love them.  

Thanks in advance!

Cheers to 2016, ready set go. 

& You my dear readers? Anything you'd like to put out here in our little universe?

Becoming an early morning exerciser...step one

I got on a Pinterest kick the other night and took multiple clicks all over the Internet world reading all about how to be motivated to get up early and workout.  Tips and tricks abounded to get up and about first thing in the AM.  

I went ahead and grabbed my gym bag...threw a towel in, considered what else to put in but planned on coming home to take a shower after so nothing else seemed essential. Tossed a gym outfit on top of it and got my shoes laid out.  Next up: alarm.  Set my alarm for 6 am and put it on top of the gym clothes so that I would need to physically get up to turn off the alarm.  I even added a note to the alarm of "Turn on a light" because some articles said that it would wake me up more.  

I went to bed all prepped for my morning workout.  When I woke up it was closer to 9 am...I hadn't actually turned on the alarm.  This was right before Christmas and I had wanted to get the last minute stuff done, so I just up and showered and got on with the day.  My stuff is still sitting there waiting to go.  

I'm going to start my week off fresh tomorrow.  So tomorrow begins my step two: actually going to the gym (early...aiming for 6:15ish).  I felt like maybe I should blog it out, just so I can be accountable.  Wish me luck!   

Step one in review: 

1. Prep your gym stuff the night before (clothes, sports bra, socks, shoes, towel, and anything else you may need)
2. Set your alarm (and turn it ON)
3. Turn on a light when you first get up (supposed to help with like circadian rhythm or some such thing)