Mondays

I am one of few that absolutely adores Mondays. When you work in the service industry your weekends become your weeks and your weeks become your weekends. And every Monday, this little lady has off.

Nothing particularly glamorous happened on this Monday, but I just wanted to nod at its’ significance in my weekly schedule. Cheers to you Monday!

I am happy to report that I did my pilates today. I really thought I was going to bail on them, because I did not get to them until later in the day. I have always operated under the assumption that if you don’t work out at the very beginning of your day – you won’t do it at all. Today, I proved myself wrong. It was a pleasant surprise.

Immediately following completion of my video, I cooked myself some chicken and rice and now I sit here to snuggle up a bit with my void-full internet.

When it comes to working out, I have to admit I have always found running so damn boring. I always thought it was the quickest way to get in shape and was a must for anyone in order to lose weight. I also could never get comfortable with the idea of spending hours in a gym. Seriously? Spending 2 hours obsessing over practices to enhance results. It always stressed me out too much and I would quit immediately.

It wasn’t until I took a Yoga class in college that I began to appreciate exercising through class sessions. I can imagine it relates to people with personal trainers. It is comforting to know some one is there to correct you, instruct you and lead you to your goals. However, those instructors and classes really add up in costs.

Therefore, purchasing my DVD’s to use in the tranquility of my own home didn’t seem like such a bad idea. It gets frustrating sometimes, because I want to make sure my posture is right. But, I find if you close your eyes in the middle of a move or stance and listen to the narrator about your inhales, exhales and which muscles to tighten — each motion will make more sense and become fluid in  your work out.

It is incredible what the muscle tightening and breathing in pilates does to my whole aura. I have so much energy after my work out, unlike running. I am calm, taking deeper breaths, motivated and incredibly content. That nap I thought I was going to have to take, nope, don’t need it. It feels like a wave of energy just washes over you. Flushing out all the bad energy and make you feel lighter.

I plan on eventually integrating the pilates with yoga and then, maybe, someday I’ll wear the big girl pants and start running, biking and having more intense work outs. But, for now, I am more concentrated on beginning a routine. I want to mentally get used to working out. I am looking for exercise to become a part of my life — to make me happier and calmer…results are not a necessity. You have to take care of your body as well as your mind, the two often go hand in hand. And pilates has a way of working both simultaneously.

I better not let myself get carried away before I jinx this. I wish you all a Happy Monday!

Updates!

It has been a couple of days since I’ve updated my work out regime. I have been eating smaller portions, still giving into some guilty pleasures of course. I have been sticking to the pilates video for now. I can definitely feel it working areas of my abs that no sit up could ever conquer. I think I am going to take weekends off with working out. I’m not sure, as a bartender weekends always tend to be so busy, like a work week.

I know for now it must seem like a poor time to make excuses about why to not work out, but I know myself too well. If I do something too much (i.e. work out every day) I am more likely to call it quits. I do plan this upcoming week to get up earlier and do the full hour of pilates Monday through Friday. We’ll see if I can follow through on this goal.

However, I’m glad I tried something new, that I ventured into something I was intimidated by. I understand that working out should be an everyday thing, but there are so many other things I want to start including into my schedule. How do I possibly do it all? I want to read every day, watch the news, read a newspaper, do a crossword, clean my apartment, cook more, perhaps start drawing again, get more aggressive with my “real job” search. Too much to do at once. Where to begin?

I suppose the old saying – “Everything in moderation”. I am going to dedicate this upcoming week to me. Doing everything I want to do. Trying harder to do more of what I want, when I want. Maybe keep the cell phone at a distance or take a break from internet addictions.

It’s interesting, remember how it feels when the power goes out? You break out some candles, create different ways to cook, grab a book, go to bed early. It’s funny what happens when technology is silent. People are just people, forced to reflect on themselves. You begin to concentrate more on what you are doing and what you want to do. I think that is a style of living that could be incorporated more into my everyday life.

Hmm…something to think about. I’ll get back to the updates once my glorious day off of Monday occurs.

Well…

Here we go kids, first day–not the best.

I started with an egg sandwich and for the first time ever, I finally used a pilates DVD that I bought a couple of months ago. Holy crap. Pilates is pretty awesome. The session lasted an hour long, the motions were fluid and challenging and I can already feel the change in my posture.

But, alas, I had to bartend happy hour and then went drinking with friends from the bar. Yup, no dinner. I am currently eating Hamburger Helper leftovers and watching Tommy Boy. Classy, eh? There are lots of people who go to college for 7 years, they are called doctors.

I realize I have some changes to make to my schedule, but slow changes. If you do too much at once, you are most likely to bail on it.

Seriously though, Pilates were awesome. I am seriously considering either repeating that DVD tomorrow or doing some Yoga.

P.S. what is it with boys loving you and not knowing how to communicate? (sigh) boyfriend troubles. He has a day off and wants to spend it with his roommate. That’s cool by me, but there is a better way to communicate it than silence.

So I’ve been told…

Okay void, here it is…..I am going on a diet – going to be healthier and force myself to find enjoyment out of exercising.

I’ve done my research, read articles, heard personal stories and all of that is easy to get you motivated, but actions speak louder than words, right?

Well, I have finally found my topic for this blog. I am going to record my work outs, meals, thoughts, progress and set-backs.

Get ready for me void, I’ll be reporting soon.

Time for changes I’ve always wanted, but have been too lazy and scared to do.

Let’s do it.