I’m looking at my schedule for the upcoming week and trying to figure out when exactly I’m going to workout. I have school Christmas parties and coffees and caroling this week. I know I’ll do it, just may have to go after DH gets home. But I was expressing the concern to my grandma and also my concerns over when and how I’m going to exercise while visiting over Christmas. She called me obsessed! Said I should slow down.

If I am obsessed, I’m staying that way. I work out between 1.5 to 2 hours a day 4-6 times a week. That does not seem like a lot. I do one hour cardio and the rest of the time is either weights or Pilates. But here’s the benefits.

1) I have the energy to play with my kids,
2) I have the energy to get and keep my house clean
3) I am happier
4) I don’t try to fight with my husband
5) I have confidence in myself that I’ve never had before

the list could keep going

Don’t let them stop you from becoming healthy. I know Scott has talked about this and we need to stand up for ourselves. Does any one else have the same problems with people in their lives? What do you do when they try to make you feel bad for feeling good?

Hey Bree

No, I don’t think your ‘obsessed’.  Scott had a MTM episode about people in your lives ‘sabataging’ you.

Just like anything in your life, there should be a balance in everything you do.  You know what is too much.  Sometimes other people look from outside in (like yourgrand ma) and see you doing more than you’ve done before and wonder if your doing too much.  You should be strong enough in your values to know what is right.  Maybe your are doing too much?  But I don’t think so. 

We are all influenced by other people, but deep inside, it’s important to know what is right for us.

I myself, have had a few people say that I should take it easeir, not to work out so much, but a majority of people say that I should continue, and be the very best I can be.  To be the very best in all areas of my life, including physical, spirtitual, emotional, educational, relational, nutritional, and every aspect that makes me who I am, is the direction I am heading.  I have a long way to go to be the ‘best’ in all those areas, so I’ll work a little bit off all every day.

It’s important to know what your ‘values’ are, and it sounds like you have those in line with what you are doing. Your goals will direct you to your values, and no matter what anyone else says, you will keep doing those things that keep you close to your values.

Keep it up!  Your doing great and I look forward to your posts!

Keep up the great work Bree......the outcomes you have listed speak for themselves. It’s a different world then it was when your grandmother was young. Everything from processed foods to the TV remote have put us at a disadvantage. We just don’t have to move as much anymore to get through the day. Picking up the slack for that by working out can only be beneficial. Your list says it all.  Be diplomatic with your famly, but don’t change a thing because you are right on track.

Denise

Just for fun - a few numbers:

There are 168 hours every week. 
You exercise between 6 and 12 hours a week.  That is just 3.5% to 7% of your time. 
Working a full time job (40 hour work week) - 24%
Sleeping 8 hours each night - 33.3%
Work + Sleep + Exercise (max) = 108 hours
You still have at least 60 hours or 36% of your time each week for other things. 

For all the benefits you listed, I don’t think that your exercise commitment is unreasonable. 

Paula

I like Paula’s way of thinking....(do you have a spreadsheet for that? LOL )

We choose what we do with out time.....

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was so shocked when Grandma told me I was obsessed because she was originally my biggest supporter. Almost everyone else is behind me now as far as family goes, but I do have friends that I don’t see much anymore because of the difference in lifestyle choices. But I refuse to be drug down. I can honestly say that I know myself better now than ever before and I like myself better now too.

I wonder sometimes if people feel scared when you start making changes in yourself. It’s almost as if they feel you will change your relationship with them. I admire your determination in doing what is right for you, Bree. I love the breakdown in time that Paula posted. It kind of puts things in perspective!

Keep on doing what your doing. How’s the running program going? I consider us in it together now. When my legs feel like lead I just think if you made it this far I can too!!

Good for you!

Hey, Patricia. I’m still in week 6. It’s kicking my butt. I’m doing day 2 today (2 ten minute runs with a five min. walk in between). They asked me to help wrap presents at the preschool today, so I’ll workout after that. What week are you on? Whatever it is, I can honestly say I was shocked that I made it that far. Bit disappointed in the stall here at week 6, but it’s a good week. And week 7 scares the crap out of me (all 25 minute runs). I get frustrated when I can’t push through my goal. But I never thought I’d be running at all, so what the heck.

Hi Bree,

I thought I would post here as well to check how you finished up week six. I’m glad to hear that you are almost done with it. Don’t beat up on yourself about the stall. It totally scares me to think I will eventually have that week staring me in the face. I just started week 4 yesterday. I was surprised that I could do it. I know you will do GREAT on week 7. I’m running right behind you!!  

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK!!!

I’m moving on to week 7. I didn’t do the last day of week 6, but it’s the same as everyday of week 7, so I’m going to try it. The first 2 days were surprisingly easy this time around. I focused on my breathing and thought about the feeling of being done. I’ve also been thinking about the looks of surprise on my family’s faces when they see me. I need to figure out how to post pictures on flicker so I can show you my before pic. I’ll go work on that now. It’s either that or clean my house.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70797419@N00/

I hope this works. The group picture, I’m the one in the front.
The middle pic is the current, the first is the before, and the last is the in transition.

looking good kid!

Keep it up.....you KNOW you can reach your goals!

Thanks, Tom. I haven’t looked close at those pictures in a long time. Feels really good.

Good for you!!!

Wow!!

I wouldn’t have recognized you in the before picture.  You really look great. 
I’m glad you figured out how to post the pictures, now for some aerobic house cleaning.

Paula