Friday, May 1, 2009

FitMama Friday

I thought I would do something different this Friday and postpone "Fantastic Finds Friday" until next week, and join my sister Christine over at Southern Belle Dreaming in her FitMama Friday! :)

I have been saying the same thing for a couple of years now. I really want to be tone and way more in shape than I am...which isn't much! I tend to be sporadic with my exercise~ either I am doing really well, or I'm not doing at all! :) So perhaps this will help me to stick with it! My goals are to:

1. Exercise at least four days a week, for at least twenty minutes total. Include the small weights for upper arm toning, with goal to work my way to heavier weights.
2. Drink MUCH more water than I do! Not only would it make me feel better, it would also help with these chronic headaches!
3. Continue to keep eating out at a minimum, especially fast food!
4. Drink less Diet Coke. I always try to keep it to two a day. This sounds like a lot, but it was way worse before! I have such a difficult time just drinking one can, but this is my present goal! (Again. ) I know soda is terrible, but am truly addicted to the stuff! Somebody help me!) :)
5. Keep drinking at least two glasses of low-fat milk each day. (Cannot stand fat free!)

I tried some new exercises this week, and WAY overdid it! I can't remember the last time I was that sore! I was actually enjoying myself while exercising, but was not feeling so hot a while later...Note to self: remember to take it a little slower when beginning something new!

Something I have learned recently: I heard an exercise expert say that a lot of times women think that if they don't exercise twenty to thirty minutes straight, than it is not effective. Therefore, many of us just don't do it at all. He said it is still very effective, even if it is a a little here, a little there! This helped me so much, because I can always think of millions of things I would/should/could do other than exercise. So now I follow this advice. If I can only snag five minutes in the early morning, ten minutes a few hours later, and five more in the afternoon, this still meets my goal!

I am naturally hyperactive~ meaning I can't sit down! But I have realized that just because you are up and busy, this will not tone your upper arms or stomach muscles! If only it would...

Do you have some form of exercise that you really enjoy? I know a lot of people, including my sister, have DVDs that they love. I have never tried these, but think I am going to try out the Hula Dance one my sister likes, just for the pain~ um, I mean fun~ of it! Well, that's all for me! I hope you have a fabulous weekend! :)

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Jenni - Lovely blogging, and belated happy birthday! Sounds like life is great with you. Autumn here and winter approaching quickly : ( we had the coldest spell since 1952 this week! Beth

www.blossomcottage.typepad.com

Amy said...

Good for you, Jenni! I really want to eat better and get more toned, too. The newest DVD that I discovered at the library is Denise Austin's Boot Camp workout. I've only done the
1st 20 minute section so far, and I was sore for days, but it was a great feeling because I knew it was working! (And maybe I should cut back on chips and salsa....nah). :)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Woo hoo! Good for you on the exercise! And what a good theme - FitMama Friday. It sounds like a great group.

I am also trying to get healthier. I have been doing the Shred videos. So hard!

Good luck with everything! I hope things are going well for you!


XOXO
jen

Anonymous said...

Trying to get in shape has been the hardest thing for me. I just don't have any self discipline. I bought a Pilates DVD and was doing good then the warm weather came and I'd rather be outside. I think you have some fantastic goals!

About Southern Belle said...

Hey Jenni, how did fitmama friday go for you? I wasn't able to post on friday let alone exercise, lol. I did have a great weekend however, which I will post about later.

Talk to you soon!

Ms. Tee said...

Good for you on the exercising! Getting it in every day is hard, I know. :) I just recently started the 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels) and it's killing me so far. lol But I'm trying to keep up...hope you have a great week!

Jeni said...

You go!!! I LOVE to be sore...that's how I know I really did something. It is hard some days to fit it all in but if I don't I feel crappy and I am a really mean mom. I am good at fitting in my cardio but I really need to work on some weights...so I am going to set out my little dumbbells and start this morning! Good luck to you!

jen said...

Like you, I'm pretty active. I think at my age I really just need to concentrate on building muscle. Boy it seems like I'm losing it fast...especially under my arms!! I remember my Grandma always had that flabby flappy fat under her arms. I noticed when I was waving goodbye to my daughter yesterday that my underarms were waving too!! Yikes!! I better get lifting!!

Have a great week!!

Jen

Tracey said...

The only thing that's toned on me is my fingers from typing!!!!!!
Love Tracey x x xx

Unknown said...

I have been trying to do the same thing! I have been doing the 30 day shred its hard!

Good luck I love soda way too much too!

Montee said...

I have been working out for a long time. This year Phillip and I decided to go to a personal trainer. He gave us some exercises and then we worked out on our own. I enjoy Spin Class but I guess you can't do that at home. Here are a few exercises I do with dumbells:

1. Walking lunges while carrying 5 lb. dumbells. Make sure your knees don't go over your toes. I do 12 lunges one way and 12 back, 3 sets. Your legs will get really quivery doing these but don't give up.

2. Squats with 15lb. dumbells. Hold the dumbells curled up under your chin. Squat and stick your hiney out like you are sitting in a chair. 15 squats, 3 sets. Watch your toes on this one too. You don't want to hurt your knees.

3. Pushups-girly or military. I thought there was no way I could do military pushups but I can. Do 3 sets. Do as many as you can the first set, fewer the 2nd set and fewest the third. Start out with say 15 then 12 then 8. Pushups are the best thing you can do for chest and arms.

4. Bisep curls with dumbells. Do 15, 3 sets.

5. Crunches and reverse crunches for your tummy.

Those are a few things I do. The lunges and pushups are the best. I don't like doing them but they have great results! Put on some good music too.

Angie said...

Girl, you and I pretty much have the same goals. I have always been sporadic with my exercising. I'll do good for a week or two and then not do it for like a month. I have been doing good lately walking 4 to 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes. I also do other exercises around the house throughout the day. Like doing leg lifts and using hand weights while in the kitchen. Most of the time my weights are on the kitchen counter because it seems I spend so much time in there! I feel like I'm doing something instead of nothing so that makes me feel better about myself. Good luck! I know we can do it!!!

Angie said...

Love the cornice and that painting in your previous post!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Jenni,
Thanks for stopping by today. I'll pass along your good wishes to my hubby. For excerise, I like biking on my stationary bike and walking. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a beautiful Mother's Day.

Blessings,
Sandi

cherry said...

I have been trying on and off since Jan...I have lost 20 lbs..it has been slow fo rme. I did work out today though! It has been sunny again...which helps me. Good luck...just keep pluggin along. cherry