Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in The Fit Family – the OBE year-long adventure from flab to fit. Robin and Ken are here today in diary style talking a bit about how the process is taking shape. They need a boost. You may want to send some love their way today. It’s ugly at HQ.
If you missed our morning post today, check out our run down on some of the hottest lip goodness for the Winter season HERE.
Robin: It’s week three of our new workout regime, just about the time I get distracted by something or just concede to the whole permanent lack of sleep thing. This time, I’ve given in to fighting off some serious goo.
I tried early on, when I knew that something sick-like was creeping up on me, to keep going with light workouts. Then, everything went haywire in the health department and I am having major momentum issues.
This is the point at which I get really discouraged, finally starting to see a few results – pants starting to fit a little differently, my confidence improving – and then something bumps me off track and I wonder if I’ll ever get back on.
Thankfully, we have Rhonda – who we lovingly refer to as the happy dictator. She motivates us in the most positive of ways and we are seriously pumped to get back on the fitness train after a four-day sick leave.
It’s frustrating, though. Getting past this hump is like starting all over again for me. Plus, my back hurts like CRAZY and I really need a workout (which is a good sign…). Hopefully my chest and head will think so in the next 24 hours too.
Bonuses from the last two weeks:
- Being able to wear a jacket that has been just “that” tight for a while (my arms are always the first to shed the weight).
- Figuring out that my back hurts more when I don’t work out. Staying consistent means keeping the pain at bay. An interesting discovery
- Realizing and being more motivated to pursue fitness options. I may even get my butt back to yoga in the next week or so.
Ken: I’m not sure what’s worse…
Having to do chest presses with “girly” weights because at this point I can’t do 3 sets of pushups without whimpering like our new cat when it’s out of food OR failing miserably to keep up with the workouts in my second week because of flu-like-symptoms? I would think it’s the latter… but man, it’s hard to do even 30minutes of exercise when your head feels like it weighs more than all the weight you’re trying to loose. I had images of passing out on the treadmill where I would wake up staring at parts of my body lapping up against my face that only a few select medical examiners have had the pleasure of witnessing. Umm… no thanks. Then I thought, maybe the cold sweats are from that image and I’m not really sick at all… but the 15 sneezes and sinus headache that followed confirmed that, yes, in fact, I was sick.
So a great first week of running and working out gave way to a second week of too many late nights working, to many early afternoons trying to catch up on a little sleep, and far too many germs cultivated by a four year old energy ball, a four legged fur ball and a 4 legged married couple hoping at last to stop becoming balls. The germs won out… but not for long. After a few days of treatment (movies, sports and all manner of homeopathic remedies) I’m back to my reasonably groggy self.
I have to say that I’m really bummed about getting sick and am committed to making these next two weeks an atonement of sorts for that “lost” week, “girly” weights be damned.
Parker's Pointers
Tips from Rhonda to keep trucking with the workouts:
This time of year we can find a million excuses not to exercise. The weather gets yucky and less inviting, we battle colds and flu bugs, and we just want to cozy up indoors.
A few tips for getting moving when energy and motivation are a challenge:
1. Don't let the rain keep you from enjoying some fresh air. Put on the raingear and jump in some puddles. You will have as much fun as the kids.
2. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
3. Moderate exercise has been shown to improve immune function. Get your body moving, even if it's only 20 minutes. You may be surprised with more energy, once you get started.
4. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day. Stay positive and focus on the workouts that you do.
5. Listen to your body when it is truly unwell. If you have a fever, infection, flu or a chest cold, it may be wise to wait until the symptoms improve before you resume your program.
Go, Team, Go!
You’re my inspiration – you cannot, cannot, give up now. We ‘know’ you two through your work and I would bet my last dollar (if I was a betting kinda gal) that you two will be back at it.
Besides, what a great example to Ms. M. Keep that in mind – once the goo has gone.
But I do repeat here – any attempt to replicate the “2009 Baklava Incident” will see us stage an intervention.
And think of all the muscle you’ll have to threaten the tech people with…………
Good luck!
You guys can totally do it!!! Just don’t get back into it too hard. When you start feeling better go out for a nice brisk 20 minute walk. If you still feel good amp it up the next day. In the past getting sick totally derailed my best efforts too.
What a great site to reference all the aspects of a healthy family! I’m bookmarking it! I stumbled upon it as I researching family fitness. I recently picked up a great book called Family Fit by Dr. John E. Mayer. It’s an amazing book that gives activities and interests to maximize the time we spend together. It’s like multi-tasking for your family and for yourself! Why not be physically active and nutritionally sound? Keep up the good work, you’re inspriation to us all
Kudos to you both for putting it on the line
I love that you call Rhonda the Happy Dictator – that’s hilarious 
When I was living in St.Kitts, working out for two hours every morning and feeling stronger than I had ever felt in my LIFE, I was nicknamed ‘Baby-Weights’ by my fellow gym patrons. Girly weights aren’t so bad.
Ok, how’s this: You have reached the first hump, honeymoon/infatuation phase is over, hard work has begun. If you give up now, you will have to go through this phase all over again. If you keep going then it just gets better from here on in. I vote for keep going!