Developing an Exercise Routine and turning it into a habit

Somewhere I can remember reading (or hearing) that it takes 30 days to develop a new habit.  Well one of the things I desparately need to add to my Transformation is the addition of exercise.

This past week and throughout the weekend, my family was and I am currently sick.  Yesterday, my husband decided that even though I feel like death warmed over, I needed to go outside and get some fresh air.  Knowing that we needed some basic groceries, he decided that a walk to our local store was in order.  So he got the kids ready (stroller and all) and called out to me that they were ready.  Slowly I put my shoes and socks on to make it out into the rare sunshine and warmth that has happened in our area.  While at the store, I said that I wanted to get back into couponing.  So I decided to purchase a Sunday Newspaper. However to my surprise the one the store had to offer had minimal coupons in it.  I needed the Detroit Free Press which is not what this store had to offer.  So we walked home, empty hands for a newspaper.  An hour later, I still wanted my dang newspaper!  My husband suggested going out for another walk by myself this time to the two gas stations a few blocks away to see if they had my cherished newspaper full of coupons.  I debated this for about 10 minutes and then decided that unless I wanted to wait another week for a newspaper that I did indeed needed to set out and go for my second walk of the day. 

I grabbed my Ipod loaded with my music from my Reclaiming and Friends cd and headed out for my second journey to find a newspaper.  The first gas station I stopped at was sold out so across the street I went into the second gas station.  I hit paydirt!  Not only did I get the last copy of the Detroit Free Press they had, but briefly had a conversation about just wanting the coupons that the store clerk handed me the coupons and ads from his personal newspaper!  So I got two for the price of one so to speak!  This exercise thing has extra benefits!  I look forward to walking to the same gas station next week to see if I can turn this into a routine for me and possibly score some more free coupons! LOL

I like to be organized about everything to every detail I possibly can.  Just ask my Coven sisters about any of our past trips to places such as New Orleans (back home) and or one of our many Salem, MA trips! LOL 

So I have decided to come up with a game plan of sorts to incorporate exercise into my life.
My first goal is to walk at least 30 minutes a day be it outside pushing the baby in a stroller or downstairs in the basement for 30 minutes prior to dinner.  If I am unable to walk that day for whatever reason, I will at least hope to accomplish one of my goals for the week which I have listed below.

Other elements I hope to add include:

Sundays - Walk to Gas station to buy a Sunday Paper

Monday - What I call  "Magical Monday" by breaking out and performing the exercises from the Devotional Dance DVD by T. Thorn Coyle (this Month I will be working on the Elements Section)

Tuesday - Turkish Bellydancing Video

Wednesday - Its all about the Wii.  One hour of playing either Wii Fit or the Yoga Exercises

Thursday - This will be my mental exercise day, Meditation is the key element to work on today.

Friday - Firm Fridays - I have about 10 of "The Firm" videos that I lost alot of weight with whenever Eric and I were getting married.  I was able to dust my collection off and even transfer them from VHS to DVD so I can do them upstairs!

Saturday -   Working out with the Spouse!  I hope to have E help me out on lifting weights.

Majority of accomplishing many of these on a daily basis will be that if the baby takes at least an hour nap so that Mommy can work on her fitness and health.  Otherwise its the walking for 30 minutes whenever Daddy gets home.

Transformation

As most of those that know me, for the past 10 years I have had a serious battle (and losing that battle) of the bulge.  I am tired.   Sick and tired actually of how I look and more so on how I feel most of the time, which is pretty lousy.  I never have any energy to do anything.  I have become a couch potato.    This weekend something happened to be during a conversation with my husband.  He is clueless to how it has effected me and I do know that he meant no harm or disrespect.  But what he said did strike a cord within me and my weight.  He simply asked me why I wear sweat pants all the time and would like to see me wear something else again.  I was a bit taken back. When he left the room as I was getting dressed for my son's birthday party, I did not realize that I have become the stereo typical frumpy sweat pant and stained t-shirt wearing mom.  It was very hard to find anything in my closet that fit me and also looked good.  Majority of the clothing was too tight.

Well NO MORE!

Everyday I will do something.  No more sitting at the couch and watching tv all day. 
For Yule, my hubby purchased us a new treadmill and its going to be used on a daily basis! At least 30 minutes per day.  Also on the docket is to start using some of my old favorite videos/dvds for exercising.  My favorite is Devotional Dance by T. Thorn Coyle.  Last time I used this dvd on a regular basis alone, I lost over 20 pounds. 

I have thought about posting my "before" photos for the world to see, but I just do not know if I am ready for the whole world to see my Venus of Wilendorf shaped body (even though she's a beautiful plus size beauty, my body however is not beautiful, its disporportioned and I no longer like buying clothes.)

I am in no way saying I want to be a skinny Mini...but I do however want to become healthier than I currently am.  They say that your first goal should be 10% of your current body weight.  Well that is very close to 30 pounds for me (so you can easily do the math to see how much I currently weigh).

Guess this blog will primary focus on me getting healthy, and how I plan it will effect my relationship to the Goddess.  I know I am beautiful in her eyes as well as my husband's.  But now its time for me to look at myself in the mirror and love the woman that I see in it.

I hope you come with me on this journey to help encourage me on my path as well as call me out on myself when I need it.  I need a support system outside of my husband.  He is good and somewhat supportive, but he is skinny and healthy for the most part, so he just does not understand my point of view as a woman wanting to lose weight.