"I've got a new attitude!"

[Longhorn]

Sing with me! :D

Lately, my exercise posts have been more about what I CAN'T do than what I CAN do.

Today, when I found myself justifying why I can't exercise in the morning but also why I can't exercise in the evening, I realized something had to give. The answer was suddenly obvious -- pick one! And it was a relief to realize that I'd rather exercise in the evening. The trick is to come home and immediately change and start my workout before I even THINK about sitting in my La-Z-Boy and logging on to DU!

The advantages are many, not the least of which is that I won't feel so guilty when I hang around longer in bed in the morning! :D But in addition, I have much more time in the evening, there's much more to watch on TV to keep me entertained, and I experienced a burst of energy this evening that I usually don't have this time of day.

I'm really looking forward to coming home and exercising now!

[Poiuyt]

1. Good for you, Longhorn!

Personally, I hate to exercise (or do anything else) in the morning. I've been working out late afternoon since I was in junior high school track. It's second nature to me. You need to find the time of day that you like to workout, or you'll just keep finding excuses not to do anything. It's just like finding cardio exercises that you like. They always say that the best form of exercise is the one that you'll do. You can also say that the best time of day to workout is when you'll do it.

[wildeyed]

2. Now if we could just figure out how to exercise

and DU simultaneously, life would be perfect :D

I used to exercise in the evening, but since the kids, it is AM all the way. My energy level crashes around 2pm. I can usually manage some gentle breathing and stretching exercises in PM, but nothing too hardcore.

[Longhorn]

3. Still working on my attitude.

What I have working against me is my perfectionist attitude -- that I might as well give up as soon as I screw up. Logically, I know this isn't true but emotionally, it's hard to fight sometimes.

This last week, I was just too tired to work out when I got home. And once I screwed up on Monday and Tuesday, I basically gave up the rest of the week.

But today, I decided to try a different approach. I don't work on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, so I'm definitely going to work out on those days, as I did today. Plenty of time for a nice long workout, in fact. I've decided on the other days to walk my four dogs when I get home (trying out some of the techniques I've been learning on The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel.) I will hold myself accountable by not allowing myself to get online until I've exercised at least 20 minutes. If the weather is too bad to walk the dogs, I'll do the elliptical.

One other change I'm making is to drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed.

Perfection, no. But better than the alternative!

[seemunkee]

4. You'll never reach perfection

tiny steps, just make the first one. The rest will follow

[wildeyed]

5. I go through periods where I really struggle to find a routine, too.

If you keep trying, eventually something will click and you will be in the groove again. Remember, showing up is 90% of the battle!

[Poiuyt]

6. I think we all go through periods where we're lazy

The hardest step to fitness is the first one out the door (or in your case, Longhorn, the first step to the basement!)

[Longhorn]

7. Actually, it's the first step up the stairs

to my son's former room, now known as the exercise room/hubby's dressing room and bath/guest room. :D We don't have basements, for the most part, in Texas.

But I get your point and I appreciate the support. There was a time when I was in a groove such that my body yearned to exercise. It's just disheartening to see how easy it is to get out of that groove.