This is Day 11 of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge held in Feb 2012. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hello and welcome to Day 11 (Feb 13) of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge! :D
Day 11 – What is Your Favorite Time To Exercise?
Today’s question is: What is your favorite time to exercise?
Knowing your favorite exercising time(s) of the day, then setting them aside in your calendar for exercising, increases the likelihood that you’ll accomplish your fitness sessions.
For me, my favorite time to exercise is in the morning, before I start off the day. I like mornings because they are cooling, so I don’t feel like I’m on fire while working out!
Another reason is because it helps to give my day a strong start. Knowing I’ve completed my fitness session(s) for the day gives me a huge boost of mental satisfaction and physical energy. This then allows me to go about my daily tasks without worrying how to fit in my exercises later.
How about you? What is your favorite time to exercise? And how can you schedule that for your exercise sessions from today onwards?
(PS: I’m writing this post while I’m working out in the gym! Now how is it possible that we have no time to exercise when all of us are given the same amount of time every day? It’s all a matter of how we work it into our schedules and how we leverage on technological tools to make the best out of our time each day! Got to love technology and how it’s expanding possibilities!)
Share Your Plans/Progress for Today!
What is your intended fitness plan for today? What physical activities are you going to do, and how long do you want to do them for? Share with us!
Update your progress as you go along. At the end of the day, review your progress and share your learnings.
Check out other participants’ responses and join in the discussions!
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First to comment for the day! :D Reporting my progress: 1.5 hours in the gym so far and counting! Having so much fun that I don’t want to leave. I want to schedule in a swim today too but seems like the pool is closed for maintenance on Mondays. Too bad – tomorrow then.
So far, I’ve worked out for an hour via the recumbent bike, covered 1.4km on the treadmill, and using the leg curler now. I’ll probably be here for another 30 min before I leave, because I’ve done other stuff I want to get to on my phone. Looks like combing productivity with my workouts is creating a synergistic effect. :D
Oh by the way, we’re one day away from Valentine’s Day. Happy V-day in advance, everyone! Workouts will still continue as per normal tomorrow. :D
Ok, my gym workout turned out to be 2 hours long. :D I’ve to say I was even slightly disappointed to leave the gym at the end of my workout. Going very strong and looking forward to my workout tomorrow. :D
For tomorrow, I may slot in a swim after gym – the great thing is that there is a pool right outside the gym. Only problem is I don’t want to swim under the sun anymore (it’s making me darker than I like, plus with the discomfort of sun burn and all), so maybe I’ll address that by going to the gym earlier tomorrow morning (I can’t imagine they open any earlier than 8am though). I’ll see how it goes.
Happy earlier Valentine’s Day Celes!
I am posting and getting ready to get started on an ab workout for the morning. I was posting earlier how my favorite activity is swimming during the summer. The weather here won’t permit that right now. I found an indoor pool in my area last week so I have scheduled to take my children there and I am so glad I found it.
Good luck with your swim tomorrow!! :)
Thanks Netta!! :D Turns out I didn’t swim – I decided to set my default exercises to be in the gym, because swimming in the day is making me extremely tanned, and I don’t like being tanned! Either I find a way to work swimming into my early morning schedule or I’m going to lay off the pool for a while. Not a problem though because I’m really loving my gym workouts, being able to use my phone/work/check emails and all at the same time.
I’m glad that you came across the pool and I hope you have fun in your swim with your children!
hi everyone,my favorite time for exercise is in the morning & for brisk walk is in the evening at around 7pm.now i am going to my today’s workout.
I must admit that my exercise plan is not as ambitious as those of the younger folks, but it is quite as effective and I am satisfied with the results. My favourite time for this project is 5.45p.m.It comprises a n itinerary of 2kms, one way and is of a duration of 45mins. As I said earlier, my wife who was already jogging at her convenience, has joined me for this challenge. So has my brother, who, after a by-pass a year ago ,makes it a point to strictly observe his walking schedule. Sometimes I take with me my grandson and my grand gaughter, aged 5 and 7 respectively.But they want to stop after 15 minutes.Two things happen.When my afternoon programme suffer for any reason, I make sure that I do something to compensate the time lost in the morning, like breathing exercises, stretching, exercises.I think that I have lost at least one kg. and I am so happy and look forward with confidence and optimism when it comes to maintaining the programme after the challenge. A cyclone threat , Warning no. 3 out of 4 , came over Mauritius and spoiled 2 days, which I have to catch up. Luckily the cyclone died in the sea before hitting at our island. Instead it brought a considerable amount of much desired rain, and cleansed the polluted environment.
Hi P.Callychurn! Sounds like you and I are “of an age” together. Yay for us for getting here and working with the younger folks, taking up the challenge. Fitness goals work for every age, don’t they, and young people can be so super-motivating for me!
Which island do you live on? I’m in Vancouver, BC, Canada, one of the most delightful locations on the planet — though I know there are many, many more. It’s a grrrrreat city to get fit in, with multiple outdoor & scenic opportunities to keep active. Same there?
My favourite time would be either first thing in the morning, or late afternoon. Just not in the middle of the day or at night.
I didn’t get a chance to do any exercise on the weekend, but back to it now. Same exercise on the rebounder :) I was ready to go for a walk this afternoon too, but with thunder and a bit of rain occurring, I decided to give that a miss.
As for me I don’t have a specific time for exercise because of d nature of my work I am a farmer by 500am I am up doing one thing. Or d other but iam concious of what and when I eat
I don’t have a specific time. Whenever I feel like it, I go. When I don’t feel like doing anything much, I go down for a quick jog at the end of the day.
Today I managed a 20 minutes swim. Too tired from yesterday’s hour or so in the pool. :P
Definitely in the morning right after I wake so I can kick the lazy-sleepy-me out of the way….. :)
Oh and I finally changed my exercise routine.
I was beginning to put myself in auto-mode and force myself to just do my exercises.
But because I changed it today, I find I’ve recovered that sense of accomplishment again and I feel good about my exercise routine!!
ps., I’m loving my muscles… :dance:
Congratulations on your muscles Sejal! Hard work pays off, doesn’t it? :clap:
45 minutes of biking, 10 minutes of stretching, and 10 minutes of meditation.
I”m up at 5:30am exercising 6 days a week. I like starting my day off right.
Between the hours of 7-8 AM in Bangladesh currently :)
Today I danced, did chair dips and did the plank. I worked out for 12 minutes and some seconds.
My favorite time of the day to exercise is in the mornings. I feel good throughout the entire day once I put in a workout, shower and then begin my day. I also love exercise in the late evening. The temperature dropped over the weekend, so our mild winter turned very cold. So the evening routine I have already had for over a year now of walking comes easier in the spring, summer, and fall. Also swimming is the majority of my exercise during the summer. I recently found an indoor pool in the area that I plan on taking my children to in the near future.
So for today I am going to do my ab workout. Later on today after grocery shopping and getting some errands ran, I will do some aerobic type exercise.
What’s great is that since I began this challenge, my oldest daughter wants to do the yoga and other fitness activities with me. My youngest daughter is 6 years old, so she joins in even if she can’t hold the poses and it’s cute. They get exercise during school which is great. It’s very encouraging and motivating to me though to have my 9 year old take interest in my fitness and hers which also is quality time together. :heart:
Hey Netta, there’s something about the way you say this:”I feel good throughout the entire day once I put in a workout, shower and then begin my day.” … which makes me want to do the same thing tomorrow morning!
It’s wonderful that your exercise habits are rubbing onto your daughters, you must be proud :)
My favorite time to exercise, it depends on the activities.
If it is to swim or hike, I prefer it to be in the morning, when the sun is still young and soft, or even before the sun wakes up. The feeling is nice when I can swim in the pool without many people swimming together. And, if I could hike up to the hill to look for the sun coming up, that feeling would be fresh and excited! :D
If it is to walk, jog or cycle, I prefer to do it in the evening, around 5 ~ 6 pm. It is the time when the sun is about to get back home and I would have the time to appreciate the few-minute of sunset. Besides, I will be able to capture the moment of sunset with my camera. ^^
Today, I went for an evening walk with my mum again, for one hour. We changed our walking route.
On Day-9, we walked for 1.29 miles; Today, we walked even more, 1.93 miles in total.
We went through the gardens in neighborhood and 2 playgrounds, looked at the vegetables and flowers they plant, looked at the children playing around in the playgrounds.
It made me recalled my life when I stayed in my father’s house in the village. We used to plant a lot of vegetables, and that was the time I learned to differentiate the vegetable plants, and captured many photos of caterpillars, spiders, insects, etc. My sister-in-law also captured a caterpillar to show to my nephew and niece on how a caterpillar transforms to a butterfly. :)
Those are good memories~! When I retire, I have a plan to have this kind of village life too~ ^^
I prefer working out in the morning because I feel refreshed after sleeping and my mind is clear so I can focus on my exercise instead of worrying about what I have to do. However, I have to adjust my working out schedule depending on how my parents work, if I go to school or not and other such factors.
Today I exercised right after returning home, I worked out for 30 minutes using the video I’ve been speaking about in my comments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLvGxLrpsbM , related to the video that Jaleen posted several days ago). :)
Wow~ I feel happy that you workout with the exercise that I posted. ^^
I hope you are doing well with that video~
It’s very effective and fun at the same time, that’s why I like it so much :D In the first 2 days that I used it my arms, back and legs felt so sore, haha. But now I have more resistance and I look forward to workout everyday. For me it’s a huge change! :)
Good to hear that~
Here I have another one, you may try it out as alternative if you wish to. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ZDwFiLmTY
Thank you :)
What is your favorite time to exercise?
My favorite time….just after the crack of dawn. when its not all that cold, not yet all that hot, the sky is a hue of pale blue tinged with orange and pink, the smell of the burning wood as I’ve described before, the cold air burns down your nose as the fresh bursts of oxygen fuels the mind with amazing, life-changing thoughts, the mind yet unaffected by negative vibrations and pessimism from the others so carelessly dump onto you….at that time, you are a pure soul, with your only aim to grow, no withholding or anythings as such pushing you back…..that’s my favorite time for exercise……
Today i did my now-usual 35 minute bit of a quick walk and then later a 15 minutes of cycling…
Well that’s it, for today, no fancy thoughts, no fairy tale motto, no fabled dreams, no picturesque schemes….
I’m in kinda fix today….you know when we were asked of the obstacle in the course of our journey….and i’d said, human leeches in a constant bid to bring you down….well those wicked, plotting obstacles prove to be such a hindrance in the journey to PERSONAL EXCELLENCE, any idea how to let go of how their acts affect you, and to come out the winner from a battle which only they know why they initiated?
Help me out fellow excellence seekers….
Love, happiness and pessimism free fitness to y’all
I do understand! Negative people can sometimes leech the energy right out of us. Those negative vibes can be a real obstacle. I have a couple of ways I deal with them. My main one is that I’ve gradually eliminated from my life people who radiate those vibes. It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done, socially, the few times I’ve had to end friendships. I don’t make it about them — they are who they are and they’re on their own path. I don’t want them to feel I’m critical of judgemental. I’m gentle. Yet people do get upset and feel bad, no way around that. However, I came to a realization that I’d rather deal with that once-only conversation that ends things than endless together times that bring me down.
A more general approach when I’m just being among people, it’s a kind of “fancy thought, fairy tale” thing I do. I surround myself with white light. I don’t mean an actual, real light-bulb :p . I mean light that I manifest from within. White light protects one, acts as a barrier to the negative, lets nothing negative pass through to me and prevents the leeching as you mentioned. Plus it can give benefit to others who need it. (I don’t tell people about it, but yet I’ve seen people’s moods/attitudes adjust after I consciously create the white light ‘aura’.)
How to let go when their acts affect you? I still always find that a really tough one. Sometimes it takes me quite a while. One thing that helps me is vocalized breath-pushing from the diaphragm — hard to explain — kind of like loudly saying ‘huh’ from deep down. (LOL, best done when nobody’s around if you don’t want to feel really weird.) As I do this, I’m imagining I’m pushing out the grey dirty sluggish air I’ve absorbed from some person or situation, and then breathing in whatever color feels healthy — like green is for healing, pink is for heart/joy, etc. You know the drill.
Well that’s enough of me sounding really strange here! :mrgreen: Hope you find some ways to deal so you can eliminate that external negativity from your life.
Thats great advice Kate…..
But so often it happens that those who bring you down often are meant to carry on with you throughout life…often this happens with your loved ones, people you love anyways not always the other way around push the narrow-mindedness so far that its infuriating and to an extent even demoralizing….but again what’s the fun in a Djokovic winning a grand slam when there’s no challenge from Nadal or Federer…..These obstacles define your goal even more vividly and you are sure to attain what you seek….so i believe……
P.S…a extended, loud huh is definitely something i’d try out when am surrounded in the muddle of grey,dirty, sluggish air……
ASLO, I LOVE your description of your favorite time for exercise….very heartwarming and inspiring to me when you let yourself freely express how you see and feel things. :angel: Thank you. I appreciate it so much. I hope that you allow the space for that creativity to be released and perhaps start collecting your creations/writings/expressions in a journal, dating your entries, if you are not already doing that. :idea:
About obstacles…I heard something about brick walls. The brick walls are there not to stop us, but to show us what we REALLY want (or do NOT want.) That is another paraphrase of someone who inspires me, Randy Pausch. I and many have learned SO much from his too short, brilliantly lived life and all his wisdom. (can google Randy for all kinds of info about him/contributions he’s made.)
About the brick wall thing… when I see a brick wall before me, I see that something is catching my attention to look at something another way or to do something differently. To look BEYOND the obvious, and proceed with a new view/direction. The brick wall has caught my attention so that I reevaluate what is in my best interest, am I “on the beam” (regarding goals and how I am pursuing them, what I am actually doing in the moment, with my life, who I spend time with, what i am thinking about, what I am feeling, emotionally and in my body, am I being efficient in my tasks and what I truly desire to accomplish, the list is endless….).
I am learning to see something a different way…not just to see myself as being hindered or obstructed from moving ahead, but encouraged to look/consider another path, idea, approach, ….To see whatever it is at another angle/perspective, and go deep inside myself to reevaluate or see more clearly my direction/belief/opinion/mindset and what about that is this brick wall (person, place, thing that is standing before me) telling me.
OR…I see with crystal clarity just what is my heart’s desire/passion and I KNOW that I KNOW and I proceed, unobstructed, by anyone, or anything!!!!! :heart: :angel: :heart:
In other words, if this brick wall had a voice, what would it be saying? And then how does that information open up a new awareness or direction or insight for me in my journey?
I recall that you have said something in one of your posts that was heartening…that the obstacle/hindrance also gives us the opportunity to move onwards and upwards, and our soul smiles on that. Another wide paraphrase, ASLO, but that is where whatever is the force behind what you said/say takes me, to a higher level of seeing things, like from a birdseye viewpoint, when we see things from a whole different perspective. I recall feeling all that from what you said, unless I am dreaming… :angel:
My dear :heart: dear friend Johanna, who just turned 92 wise years on February 11, has just said to me, that we are here for a purpose, and when there are obstacles, we must surmount the obstacles (“Rise up like eagles…”) That our soul is on a journey with a purpose and a reason for being here and to rise above and surmount, not be brought down by the naysayers or the hindrances/obstacles, but use those things as a stepping stone/opportunity to rise above, be of good heart, and not be distressed or discouraged… Life is too short, and too precious to be bogged down by…whatever it is trying to nip at our happy feet!
Hope that you are finding that any brick wall that may appear before you, gives you the higher messages from your soul’s wisdom and love and peace, and that you move forward on all the levels of your personal excellence journey with a happy heart. :heart: :angel: :heart: :angel:
Bette
Thank you for such a nice reply Bette, you are a wonder….thank you so much for appreciating my writing, but to you too, i’d suggest, not just to make a journal, but to work up a book…yes, a whole book, no matter what genre….you know after years of reading, one can surely take the pride of having an eye out for good writers and Bette your ability to weave a connection from the cocoon of thoughts to a beautiful, silky text shows more than potential…keep up the good job and when you release a book, please do send me a copy….. :heart:
Believe me, i have saved so many of your inspiring replies, likewise with Kate Britt, many of your posts too….and would print it all out as a sovereign from our journey in 21DFC that would remind me how i made such good friends and would inspire me, to emulate your ideas, enthusiasm and vibe…..
Seeing an obstacle as a chance to create a new path…simply amazing….brilliant thinking…..
so lets RISE UP LIKE THE EAGLES…… :angel:
Love, happiness and fitness to you my dear friend!
Wow, just found this like an Easter Egg surprise! What fun to discover reply’s just when you would so like to receive one! :heart: :heart:
I do thank you so much for all the encouragement and your precious feedback from you poetic self! I so appreciate all that you express here. :angel:
Good thought to keep a record of inspiring posts! Hmmm. another project….!!!
I have been writing diaries and journals since I was nine years young. And I have alot of books in me, and must not be discouraged, but ENcouraged by all the brilliant writers/poets out there in the wide world (old excuse…”Does the world REALLY need ANOTHER writer/book out there???”) :?:
I need to have a look from the perspective of what I have to say, and how that is reason enough to publish…Would be nice if there is an interested audience, but WRITING IT, creatively expressing myself…well, that is well worth the effort and reward enough in and of itself!
We shall see, ASLO, kindred spirit, we shall see….. ;)
:hug:
”Does the world REALLY need ANOTHER writer/book out there???” oh c’mon…. :rolleyes: ….Does Bette want the world to miss out on a galaxy worth of enlightening knowledge by not writing out her book :?: :?: :?:
You know even if you can’t reach out the NY Bestseller list, the satisfaction of having your name in the elite list of authors in the world is much more than reigning the bestsellers list…..few dare to dream, and from those few, even fewer dare write out their dreams…..Bette, you can do it……. :heart: :heart: :heart:
My favorite time to exercise is first thing the morning too! Because of how it gives an amazing good feeling and atittude to start the day.
Before leaving to school I did some jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups and other exercises. I’m kinda sore from yesterday, but I hope to do more later today. Maybe bike, I really want to get a rope for jumping, that would be fun!
Good work to all!
:dance:
Jumping the rope is a very fun way to exercise and I find it very effective since you put into motion all body parts: arms, legs, back, waist. :)
I usually prefer evening time.. initially I started working out in morning but that was disturbing my office routine.. I usually start my exercise routine in evening around 5..
Jogging / walking for an hour.. stamina is improving.. muscular pain gone.. :)
I think my best time to exercise is early in the morning. Although it does depend on weather conditions and sort of activity. Cycling for instance is something I love to do in the afternoon.
Anyway. Today I spent an hour walking through the “Malpie” near Belgium. 6km’s
My favorite time of day to workout is in the morning – usually getting up before 4AM to be exact. In fact, I have a whole blog on the topic of running early in the morning.
I really enjoy doing my workout in the morning. After doing that I usually do my every day chores and the things that need to get done until lunch. So if I do my workout in the morning my day goes more smoothly because I feel better..
Today i did my usual workout, 30min of elliptical and 60min of strength training.
I’m loving to watch my body change daily.. Yesterday I tried on some shorts and couldn’t believe my eyes. What a change, and this is despite the fact that I’m over eating. But I’m working on that as well..
although i did not exercise on day 10, i came back on day 11 with a vengeance! did a double. 45 min of total body conditioning class and then 20 min of swimming. later i have 40 min of walking planned back and forth from work,
favorite time of day is early afternoon because i have been staying up late and waking late.(10 to 11 am) I would like to try to be up for 7 am classes but that requires an 11 pm bedtime which may not be feasible. i need to work my schedule more effectively around my gym classes. classes keep me honest.
I’m the same way, Stuart! I find committing myself to some classes help me schedule my exercise and stick to that schedule. Sometimes, life does get in the way though, and then, I’m like you; I prefer to work out in the late afternoon… or, if I can find a break in my work schedule, late morning, right before lunch.
My favourite time to exercise is when I can simply take my time and I have NO pressing engagement saying “I must finish this exercise by x o clock in order to be back for work/my husband/some other task”. Once I’m actually exercising it’s easier to keep going & extend my routine as much as possible and I feel good for doing so.
I can never bring myself to exercise (by which I mean run) early morning as I don’t like exercising without having had fuel for the day, and similarly right after breakfast isn’t much good either! When I had a super-long commute (5 hours travel a day), I did sometimes do a 55min walk into work for 8:30am though picturesque countryside and university town. This was more reliable than waiting for a bus!
Lunch or early evening are good, but due to work I find it hard to free up my calendar to do so.
At the moment the most convenient thing for me is to schedule it around my commute (circa 9am and 8pm).
On another note: despite fighting off a cold (day 2), I still managed to meet my minimum walk target of 4km (probably did 5km in total). Huzzah!
Huzzah indeed, zingfairy! Yay for you for meeting your target in spite of your cold! Do you find it true what they say that doing a workout helps reduce symptoms? Seems to work for me — if I can get myself motivated to do something active when I feel a cold coming on, it seems to cut it shorter and make it feel less bad.
Hi Kate
I’m trying to recall a time where I’ve tried working out when fighting off an illness and can’t think of one :) I suppose I am more cautious when I have a cold/sore throat as it sets off my asthma.
I have found that I’m most likely to fight off a cold by taking it easy (esp. at work) as opposed to pushing myself & becoming more rundown.
Maybe next time I will see if working out helps though!! :)
My favorite time used to be first thing in the morning. But I don’t do my activities then very often, because I’ve come to enjoy my super-healthy morning breakfast and a coupla cups of tea to start my day.
So I now prefer to do my activity mid- to late-morning. That way I get it over with and the rest of the day I can feel so “righteous” about having done my activity. :dance:
I know, I know, “get it over with” is NO fine attitude to have about my fitness activity. Just keepin’ it real here. But I am focussing on that splended righteous feeling rather than my former avoidance feelings of “do I have to? really?” Tricking Self — in order to enjoy feeling the righteousness, I have to first do some activity, so it IS working to get me there. Whatever works, right?
Heythere, Kate, I’ve been thinkin’…your posts (you) somehow encourage me to do that…here goes! (up for this?)
After I exercise, I feel a sense of relief and a sense of accomplishment, but more than on just the physical level….I feel a sense of integration in my body-mind-soul. Like they’re all on the same page, finally together in a synergistic way, after being rather divided for way too long! What a great feeling!… Verrry satisfying. Or fulfilling may be a better word to describe what I’m feeling. Doing the physical activity is a piece of the the puzzle that, if not in place, the whole picture of me in just not in place, and I feel, well, unbalanced really.
Needing to trick myself as much anymore (into getting active)(or dismissing being active) is becoming obsolete for me, I’m noticing, since I am SO motivated to have/see/enjoy the whole picture of me in place, and thriving. And so, the “tricking” then, is kinda just falling away, and evolving into more of a passion to be whole, like “I am so happy to do this, to see the whole expression of me become more of an integrated whole.” Why this new body mindset?
I feel a sense that the whole of me is taking its right place. It is returning to its original desire to be fully expressing its physical nature, and the other two aspects of me don’t have to be sooo persuasive anymore, or find clever ways to try and get the physical on board! The physical aspect of me (the body) DESIRES to join in (be fully in place with) the mind and soul aspects, so it realizes it is more willing to express itself and it doesn’t have to be coaxed or tricked anymore. It has discovered that physical activity/expression is really what it wants/has wanted to do all along! After all, it is the “body” part of the equation, and the “body” WANTS to be physical by its very nature! It’s like the body has a “mind” of its own, and has its reasons why it has behaved and behaves the way it does. It has grown past the willfulness of “I’m not going” to “Hey guys! Wait for me!!! The body was born to move and be physically active.
Your sharing has brought about my thinking of these things and thinking about these things has led me to an epiphany of sorts. I am definitely enjoying the ah-HA! moments these days, so I thank you for you generous and descriptive sharing, Kate! :angel: It reveals things to me… about myself and how I am growing/changing/evolving. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together! :D :h
If all that makes any sense, or any of it! ;) well good, because I ‘m not sure if what all I am trying to express is really coming together in words at this time. This whole concept is just emerging, so it’s all new to me. :D And it is way late, but these thoughts just wanted to be expressed even more than sleep right now!
Whatever works and what gets us “there” (being physically active, whatever) is definitely the way to go, right? ;) I believe that we all have our ways that our soul gets us to where we are going. And when our soul aligns with Spirit, well, how can we miss!?!!!
:heart: Bette….
P.S. :heart: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY :!: :heart:
P P.S. Have you seen my reply to your Day 10 which also has a reply to your day 9???
Yes Bette, what you’re saying does make sense to me. I recognize what you’re describing because I feel it some days… I’m here to work toward feeling that every day.
Bette, your newfound sense of accomplishment and body-mind-soul integration is fantastic! I’m very happy for you that you’ve found this way to truly enjoy physical activity. It’s so Wholistic — that your body is taking on its full role in your expression of true self.
I’m glad we’ve been talking about this because that spirit aspect of fitness is certainly what’s most important to me too. AND it’s what’s getting me back into staying physically active again.
I’m a formerly very active, very fit person almost all of my life (ha! I just did the percentage mathematically, lazy-years divided by years lived, and discovered I’ve been lazy only 1%-2% of my life, which is pretty good). So I’ve spent a lot of time these past 11 days figuring out when & why I lost my fitness path and my joy in daily activity. I’ve managed to discover (remember) the when and why (I’m not sharing that info, for reasons), and now I’m working to undo the “knots” that I tied up inside myself at that time. It’s a process of removing some self-imposed negative programming and replacing it with the positive again. In the meantime, I’m figuring out various ways to “trick” myself, which seems to work on the days when I’m battling the resistance. The great part is, I’m resisting activity only *some* days, not every day like before. And even when I resist, I’m doing the activity anyway because I have to report back here (or because my self-tricking worked). This 3 week challenge might not be long enough to get me all the way to an easy, daily zero-resistance place, so I’m also working on developing tools (like the self-tricks) to use after Celes’s official daily fitness challenge is done. That way, resisting or not, I WILL stay active every day until it’s once again an innate part of me to do so.
What counts the most is that everybody here seems to be finding their own way back to recognizing and honoring our bodies’ natural inclinations to stay active, to put out energy in order to gain so much more energy back. Energy of all kinds — physical, mental, spiritual, and more!
Ack! Those decimals! :shy: I have to correct my math above. It’s actually the past :!: 10% :!: of my life that I’ve been in lazy mode.
(I WISH it had only been 1% — that would make it easier to get back in the groove I’m sure.)
Thank you for giving me a new affirmation, Kate! I truly appreciate it!!! :angel: :heart
MY BODY IS TAKING ON ITS FULL ROLE IN MY EXPRESSION OF TRUE SELF.
This affirmation strikes a chord in me that causes me to pay attention to my body in a new way, and really hear what it is saying.
And the gifts just keep on comin’! :D Thank you for celebrating my newfound sense of accomplishment and body-mind-soul integration with me! And thank you for your continuing insights that open up new avenues of expression for me! :heart:
That is awesome to me that you have been enjoying physical activity in your life about 90% of the time! WOW. That is just so amazing/inspiring to me. Plus, that you are so committed to increase your fitness and activity level is just the best, Kate, and I am certain that all your efforts and intentions are carving the groove where your new habit travels smooth! :D Congrats on your recent uncovering why and when you lost your fitness mojo, and for being in the process of untying the knots, and getting kinks out. I so know how things of that nature are a process. Your “tricks” strategy is so clever. Whatever gets us to “act as if” is what works in the long run. That you “WILL” to “stay active every day until it’s once again an innate part of (you) to do so” is a great and beautiful thing.
Staying active every day is an innate part of me and I am active every day
.
STAYING ACTIVE IS AN INNATE PART OF ME AND I AM ACTIVE EVERY DAY.
Just HAD to CAP that, Kate! Now I have another affirmation! :D Thank you again! :angel:
And your last paragraph speaks VOLUMES to me and soothes me and just oozes benevolence and wisdom, Kate! I LOVE to read it (and your posts) and ponder it on many levels.
Yes, yes, yes!, it IS about “FINDING OUR OWN WAY BACK to recognizing and honoring our bodies’ natural inclinations to stay active” :!: “Energy begets Energy.” The benefits of being physically active are infinite, and on all levels.
What I am discovering more and more is how I had things so twisted and topsy-turvy…physical fitness and being active is not a drudgery and dreaded chore that I’m a slave to, it is the liberation from stagnation and being held back (holding myself back), and OPENS THE DOOR to RECEIVE MORE ENERGY to LIVE MY BEST LIFE!
Today I breathe in my commitment to personal excellence, and I choose to be active, allowing newfound energy to propel me forward!
TODAY I BREATHE IN MY COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL EXCELLENCE, AND I CHOOSE TO BE ACTIVE, ALLOWING NEWFOUND ENERGY TO PROPEL ME FORWARD!
Just had to cap another new affirmation! :D
I am truly grateful to be even more in touch with the pearls of inspiration within than I was when I started writing this reply. As the momentum builds, I’ll close this reply with:
I COOPERATE WITH MY INNER PERFECTION.
:heart: :angel: :heart: :angel: :heart: :angel:
Hey Kate, you know, i simply might be repeating what Bette’s said, but every time i read what you say i always feel how differently special each of them are….they provide such a broad outlook on how having a positive mindset and a world of experience and knowledge, which unlike many, sometimes me included, you are able to integrate into every aspect of life……great job…..
Happy Valentines day from me too
:hug:
Happy Valentine’s day to you, too, Aslo! Thanks for your wonderful feedback. It makes me feel good that I might be fulfilling some aspect of being an older, wiser ‘crone’ as they call us old ladies. ;)
Some days I do feel like I’m integrating all aspects of life, sometimes not. It’s funny — no matter where each of us is on the path of self-discovery and self-development, there’s always so much more work we can do.
LOL, it’s like having kids — nobody told me that parenting never ends, it goes on and on forever, even after our children are adults with kids of their own. Same thing with “raising” ourselves, so to speak — nobody told us we’d have to spend forever figuring it all out, did they!
But I do have to say, every year gets better and better. I do love being the age I am, always have enjoyed each age, and I’m appreciating and enjoying the benefits of experience and the knowledge that comes with it.
:D
hey yeah! whatever works and makes you feel good at the same time!! :)
Today I went for a wonderful walk in the park for 30 minutes. I love Vancouver in the sunshine! :D
I do like to exercise in the morning and if my time was my own, this is when i would do it. However, that is not the situation and therefore I have to exercise after work; akthough it’s not my ideal, it is achievable.
Today, after work, I walked up and down the seafront for about 30 mins. It was good to get some air and it is a great way to clear the mind. 10 mins of meditation halfway through to give my ankle a rest and i felt much better.
Planning to go to the gym tomorrow after work as I don’t have any coaching to do tomorrow evening.
Love that, Mark….having a preference, knowing what it is, and going for what is achievable when doing the preferred choice is not the (best) option.
Very wise and positive thinking and action! I think a little story may be emerging…
Why I am noticing this, in particular, is it reminds me of how I used to be in an “all or nothing” mentality, like “If “I” can’t do it the way I (big emphasis on “I”, as in the ego “I”) want to do it, I’ll just blow it off,” kinda thing. Now, (and your post reminds me of this), I go ahead and take the opportunity of accomplishing something that is important, even if it is not the way I thought I wanted it to happen. It’s so good to be “on my side” :D instead of working against myself! :rolleyes:
Like On Valentine’s Day, it poured rain, and I kept on with the plan of heading 40 minutes to the ocean (where it is usually hot and dry), and it was solid gray, a little chilly, a light, sometimes misty rain, but no wind! :D , which made for one of the best, calmest snorkling days ever! Got a great workout amongst the coral reef and tropical fishes, in a beautiful, crystalline sea.
Point being, I was willing to proceed with my plan for physical activity, coulda made excuses, but it just felt right to keep going, and everything would work out. And it did work out so exquisitely! :angel:
Glad to hear you walked the seafront after work. As you say, what a wonderful clearing that is!
And resting your ankle, while you had another “clearing” with meditation! ;) I too feel better after I clear my mind with some physical activity, and when/after I meditate.
Continued good experiences in your fitness commitment and everything else in your world!
While I wish I could workout early in the morning to get it over with and start my day strong and productive, I just can’t. I have a hard time getting out of bed. :( So, I prefer to workout right after work, before dinner. I find it’s a good way to decompress after the workday and set myself up for a night of relaxation. Unfortunately, we a busy work schedule, changing plans, having to make dinner, etc., the workouts don’t always happen.
Like today. I was going to work out… now. Actually, I was originally going to go to Yoga a little later tonight, but when I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I planned to head to the gym right after work to get in some time on the elliptical. Now, however, I’m in the middle of doing laundry (which is some exercise going up and down the stairs and carrying the basket!), and I’m planning a big dinner tonight for early Valentine’s Day. So, no gym. :(
Tomorrow… it’s D-Day. I am going to the doctor to find out about my foot, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that she doesn’t say I can’t go to my Groove class tomorrow evening at the gym!
I like to exercise in the morning but I end up exercising in the evening. I try to be flexible so that I can exercise whenever I find time.
I went for a 35 minute walk today despite terribly sore muscles.
well done Madhu for exercising despite the sore muscles!
Did 10 minutes of Pilates. Not as painful as the first time haha :mrgreen:
I don’t have a favorite time..right now? As long as I make even one second to exercise, then I feel good.
I think once I get in full swing long after 21DFC I will ‘develop’ a favorite time :shy:
See you on Day 12! Have a great day guys :hug:
:heart: :heart: :heart: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE :heart: ! :hug: :heart: :hug: :heart:
We are demonstrating loving ourselves in the best pooslble ways on this thread, aren’t we! :heart: :heart: :heart: :hug: :hug: :hug: ;) :heart: :angel: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
Favorite Time to exercise: I have to go with Rosa’s answer: RIGHT NOW!
Best Time to Exercise: ANYTIME!
Okay, I know what you mean, let’s get practical and specific here…
Morning and/or early afternoon is more favorite for me, because that way I know I have my exercise done and avoid the possible stress of fitting it in as the day goes on, ( after all, it IS a priority!). Also, it feels good to exercise, or certainly it feels good after exercising, (even if there is some soreness), and the endorphins and energy that come from exercising is great, (“Energy begets energy”) and therefore makes everything in the day go better.
I love ocean swims anytime, but mornings at the ocean…ooh ahh, and late afternoon near sunset…ooh ahh as well. Sooo beautiful. Takes exercising to another level altogether! :D
For Day11, I wanted to workout to a youtube video that was somewhere back in Day 5 or one of the early days of this 21DFC. But I couldn’t find how to get to Day 5. :?: So fortunately, between Lina and Jaleen, on Day 11, I found the workout video link! How great was that! Serendipity! So between what I could endure with that video, and working some with the bands, I had a workout session of about 20 minutes. I was grateful for that, because I needed a fast-paced something to kick me in gear, And that video will do just that! And I was seated doing it! How DO they keep up that pace?!!!???! I’ll get there! ;) :dance:
HAVE A WONDERFUL :heart: DAY! :heart: :heart: :heart:
bETTE
Good work, Bette! I appreciate your reminder about those endorphins from exercise and how they make the day go better. I’m discovering, too, that they’re lasting longer now, with this daily routine. Just as energy begets energy (love that quote), it seems that endorphins beget endorphins.
[LOL, my partner and I call them “dorphs” — as in, when we’re about to go exercise, “Let’s go get those dorphs!” Ya, and since it’s Valentine’s day, I’ll mention that other great way to get the dorphs going with our partners :hug: ….oops, naughty Kate :love: ]
+.=”’ I’m a abit unhappy that I updated late quite often due to my broken laptop + weird school internet =.=”
Anyway, I’m finally back to modern world :lol:
It’s still good that even though my updates aren’t quite on time, I’m staying commited to my exercises plan. :)
I did exercises in the morning and before bed as usual. And I feel like I don’t feel as tired as the first few days. My exercises’ lengths are longer as well. :D
However, I wasn’t totally satisfied yesterday because I couldn’t do any extra activities. Anyway, I’m gonna to keep it up ^^
About my favorite time, I guess it’s in the morning. :mrgreen: I wake up early recently so there are plenty of time for me to exercise. I go to school during the day so it’s not so comfortable to exercise in my uniforms :lol: And I agree with Celes about a strong and fresh start for a new day. :mrgreen: It makes me awake for the whole tiring day
Great improvements! Sounds like you are active most if not all the time, and that’s impressive -good job :!:
My favourite time is late afternoon, before sunset, so it dependd where I am and the season.
I really love long summer days when you have daylight until 9pm or more..probably the nly thing I don’t like while I’m in the tropics, at 6-6.30 it’s quickly dark
The other time I like is first thing in the morning. I am stiff and everything look more difficult, but then you feel the effects for al day.
yesterday wan another very light day
I exercise 15′ before breakfast, then in the afternoon i did some manual work at home, but i didn’t go for a jog-run or practiced any yoga
This day’s workout: Pilates & Callisthenics ( had to copy-paste the second word …)
Hmm…the answer to this day’s question: favourite time to exercise is apparently at night. Mornings are better though, for the reasons already mentioned in the article above among others like increased activity at night might interfere with quality of sleep ( so I read in accountable health websites). I’ll try to workout in the morning tomorrow!
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