Regret

Source: mentalfloss.com via Alison on Pinterest

I woke up at 5am to get a workout in this morning. I had to leave home by 7am to get to work by 8 and have running plans for tonight, so I knew that was the only time to workout. I also knew that I would regret skipping the workout today.

I disliked all of my workout. My mind and body were not ready to be challenged that early in the morning. I felt unsteady on my feet and unbalanced. I seemed unusually winded the entire hour. I am still glad I did it. If I had slept an extra hour, I might be more alert right now, but I'd be using my extra energy to beat myself up emotionally for skipping the workout.

I will go to bed a bit earlier tonight so I can get used to 5am workouts, or adjust somewhere else, but I refuse to let 11 hour days derail all the progress I've made with my fitness. I know it's going to be hard, especially once I start running more, but I also know that it will be worth it.

Big Bang Theory

This is my favorite TV show. I will be doing this during the next rerun I watch.

Source: tvworkout.blogspot.com via tvworkout on Pinterest

Workout Song 3-21-12

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz. This song rocks. Plus the lyrics are pushing you to keep going.

I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I'm done
So, that's why you've got to try
You got to breathe and have some fun
Though I'm not paid, I play this game
And I won't stop until I'm done

Song of the Day

This is "Don't Leave Trouble in Your Mind" by the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I first heard them on NPR a couple years ago and immediately fell in love with the sound. It's like old bluegrass, only older. This music was the inspiration for bluegrass. It's hard to hear and not at least tap your toe.

Workout Songs

I have written about songs for running in the past. Those were all songs with the word walk or run in the song. After posting today about "Sexy and I Know It" I decided to start posting songs that makes me want to move. I hope to do this on a daily basis.

I understand that some of these songs will not hold any appeal for many of you. Hopefully some will be that missing piece of your playlist. Please share your favorite workout songs with me. If I like them, I'll post them, too.

First song is "'Till I Collapse" from Eminem. I love the spoken introduction:
'Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on
your face and collapse.

Post-Workout bliss

I didn't want to work out today. I was feeling lazy and sluggish. I had overdone it on Monday and Tuesday and really noticed that on yesterday's run. I was coming up with a ton of other excuses, too. I finally stopped procrastinating and just did the workout. Part way through, I thought, "I'll stop at 20 minutes." Then, "I'll stop at 30." Eventually, it got to be the end of the workout and I had gone for 53 minutes.

Like every other time that I've debated not working out, and delayed it while I was procrastinating, I feel great now that I'm done. My muscles are a bit sore, but in that amazing, "I kicked some real butt" way. It's amazing to me how I still haven't figured out how much better I'll feel once I've accomplished the day's workout goal.

I know I've talked about inertia before, but it bears repeating because it's a really powerful force. You can make your fitness journey public, like I did. The fear of public failure motivates me to move when I'm not feeling it. You can also get a workout partner. You may debate with yourself about working out, but if you have an appointment, an obligation, to meet someone else, you're less likely to flake out on the activity. Look on facebook, meetup, RoadRunners, or on Google to find local groups. There are tons of running and walking groups out there. You can also join a charity training program like T2. If you don't find a group, start one. Hang a sign at the local coffee shop or any other bulletin board.