Keeping it simple.
Tags:Had my first exercise appointment with me trainer yesterday. She WORKED me over. Which is what I told her I needed, so it was all good. But, MAN, I am sore in all those places I forgot I had any muscle. I really loved having her support right there, telling me what to do and encouraging me not to let the exercises "own me." Just hearing that was enough to help me push through those last few reps.
There is so much mental stuff that goes into exercise. I definitely tasted that back in the day when I was swimming competitively. I can see now, how mentally immature I was - I would just stop working hard when it felt too hard. Especially in swimming, when it is just you and the water, so much of the challenge is in your head.
It was a cool realization for me yesterday to come to the understanding that I am much more mentally mature these days. I think even more so over the last few years.
The other thing I learned from her yesterday, which also made total sense, was to not make it more complicated than it needs to be. Anyone heard me say that before? It is so true in relation to working out and nutrition as well. She set me up with some exercises that work all kinds of muscle groups that I will just repeat for the next couple weeks (mixed in with cardio) - the diet that she set up for me is similar - keeping it simple and do-able.
The keeping it simple part means that there is less wiggle room for me to find excuses, things are already laid out, and all I have to do is make the CHOICE to follow through. That is where the mental part comes in...
I just needed someone to give me permission to keep it simple.
Packing up the last few things for Irvine. So excited to come down there! Looking forward to meeting everyone in the classes tomorrow and staying with Tara. Thanks again Natalie for setting this all up!
Peace.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
19 comments
Good for you!! Totally agree with you when you say "make the CHOICE" to diet and exercise. It is a choice. Just got my CK Top 10 issue and I LOVE your layout "5am" So may things to look at. Just wondering how you took the picture...timer? Would love it if you would post some tips on how to take self-portraits. I have tried the mirror thing and it just doesn't come out right. Thanks. Have a safe trip.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
One little hint for long-term comfort...try sleeping 'warm' for a while. I found, when I got back out skiing after a long break, I would feel much better in the am if I had kept those muscles warm overnight. Not nearly so stiff and sore. And Motrin. Motrin rocks.
Isn't it amazing what age and experience give us? My body may not be capable of as much from a purely mechanical standpoint, but I am so much more in charge of the mindset than I ever was in my younger (oh so much younger) days.
I took up martial arts at 40 and got my black belt at 44. No way could I have stuck to that kind of process at 25, even though my kicks would have been much higher and my endurance, within a single class, much greater. But 4 years to a single goal - not something I would really have excelled at in my 20's.
Have a great trip, and try to make time to move while you're away. Even a little extra walking (stairs instead of an elevator) keep you in the 'I am an athletic person' mindset.
Peace.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I am SO jealous! A personal trainer???!! WOWZERS!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
You go girl! I've just started running again and your words resonate big time! I would love for someone to see the dialogue going on inside my head while I'm running- telling me I'm not good enough or this is pointless so why bother, or that I can do this. It feels good to ignore it and do it for me anyways. I hope I can keep doing it! What did your trainer recommend you eat? Did she give you any tips on what we as women exercising should focus on to stay healthy and keep getting strong? Good luck and just take it one workout at a time. I love your work by thet way- makes me want to learn how to scrapbook, move from just words in my journal to images as well. Can't wait to see more.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I can surely relate to keeping it simple with exercise and meals. I have been on a diet this past year (that I am continuing) and it is so much more beneficial for me to keep things simple in order to keep myself motivated and free from giving up on the complications of it all. To see a simple goal in front of myself rather than the ultimate goal (that will take me much time to achieve). But baby steps got me into a new regimen, and I have been able to add to that and increase my indurance. Success has been slow, but it has come...and is still coming...one day at a time! Good luck Ali! If anyone can do it, YOU CAN!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hey Ali.
Congrats on making the choice to start with a personal trainer! I started Weight Watchers last week and have make more effort to ride my bike. And, I already notice a difference. I haven't lost barely any weight, yet, but I feel better! That's really what I need. But, I LOVE riding. It's sooo freeing and relaxing and energizing all at once. Do you ride? It's great exercise.
Also... I started a scrapbook album for me! I've been in a creative funk so I thought what the hell? I took your advice in CK last issue. I'm totally a 12 x 12 girl but after much hemming and hawing, I changed my format to 8 1/2 by 11! What a leap and started some layouts about me! Just me! But, it was hard trimming that 12 x 12 down. I'm hoping the new canvas size will jolt my creative self.
Have a nice weekend.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Go us! I got reprogrammed at the gym this week and that was what I was pushing for - keeping it simple, but make it part of my week. Just go and do it! Here's hoping me, you and all the comments above me are still sticking to it this time next year!
Kel
www.kelspace.typepad.com
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
wow...sounds like an awesome trainer...I am jealous!! :) you need to come to NC...:) Would love to take a class with you! LMK if you are ever in the area.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Good luck with the routine. The first week is the hardest! Have fun teaching.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hey beautiful just dropped by to say Hi! Hope to see you at CHA!! Hugs Wanda
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali, this is totally unrelated but the color palettes on this website reminded me of you. It's a South African paint manufacturer. I'd heard through a workshop at work that they are leaders in color trends around the world.
http://www.plascon.co.za/palette_2006/palette_2006.asp?category=palette_2006
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Dear Ali,
I'm not sure if you'll remember me from before (seeing that you have soooo many fans LOL) but I had asked you about alphabet stamps around the holidays and you wrote me back (Thanks, by the way)...Anyways, I'm writing you because I was reading a blog that had a link to this and instantly thought of you and your love for the letter "A" Hope this puts a smile on your face...
http://www.posttypography.com/alphabet/alphabet.html
Sincerely,
Paula R
pcrid76@aol.com
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
you are going to look like superwoman!!! it is always nice to hear our own words said back to you and only than you hear them and they click again! do I make any sense? I have been swimming also when I was younger and loved it! love your entry about simon, who has his B-day tomorrow hasn't he? wow he is so big! congrats to him!!
have fun with tara, you lucky woman, eh superwoman!
corinnexxx
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
hi ali... i love your blog. thanks for all the INSIGHT!!! i love coming to visit... starts my day out right. today i will think about being mentally mature.. check me out at www.jenmartin.typepad.com
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
i got a personal trainer this week too! and she worked me to the point that i am just now getting back to feeling like a human being. i just wanted to say that i love your work and draw such inspiration from what you do! keep it up!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Love your wisdom Ali! Can't wait to see your six-pack abs!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Good for you! I'm sure it will make you feel awesome.
I thought about trying to do swimming for excercise...I grew up with a pool but don'tt know how to swim right (I swim like a frog underwater LOL). Seems like it might be fun to swim laps for excercise though if I can rejoin the gym.
Good luck, hope it works out well!
Carrie
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I would love to see some of you Karate scrapbook pages. Can you send them to me????
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
http://www.digitaldomainonline.com/
Digitaldomainsonline.com offers Domain Name Registration, Domain Transfer, Domain name renewal, Domain Appraisal, Domain Back
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.