Typically I tumble into a fitness rut in the fall.  I launch the kids into a new school year and then begin to hibernate.  Last year I found it near impossible to pull myself out of it come spring, so I knew I needed to do something different.  I think age has a lot to do with and I have learned I can’t really take “time off”.   There is no bouncing back anymore, so my commitment to fitness must be steady.

In an attempt to break my nasty fall habit, I joined a TRX Team in early September.  The team ran for six consecutive weeks, meeting 3 days a week for an hour.  Our final class was last Friday.  Our fearless coach asked us to send her a testimonial regarding the team and our experience.

My testimonial:

I joined the TRX team in hopes that my historical fall slump could be avoided.

I have found that the commitment has been exceptional for me in many ways.

1. I had noticed that my focus on cardio exercise, namely running, had left me with little to no arm and core strength.  I began to see definition return within the first two weeks of the class.  I can only imagine how strong I will be by the end of six weeks.

2.  I have structured my days around the Team workout and have found I am extremely productive.  All areas of my life have benefited from a structure and schedule.

3.  I don’t weigh myself, so I can’t measure my progress in pounds.  I can measure it in energy.  I feel great all day long, including the afternoon when typically I slump.  I have been sleeping great and my clothes are fitting quite comfortably.

I am stronger, much stronger, six weeks later.  Additionally, the team increased my productivity and my energy.  For me the real work begins today.  Without the structure of a team I will need to be self-motivated.  My plan is to create my own weekly schedule, so that I have an allocated time and activity for each day.  Wish me luck!

In the end, accountability to my coach and fellow teammates was great motivation.  While we didn’t all have the same goals, the support and encouragement from the other women on the team was just what I needed to keep showing up.  Do you have fitness goals?  Whether big or small, I strongly suggest finding a team.  Find an established team or form your own.  Heck, form a team of two.  Just you and your bestie training for a 5K or taking 30 yoga classes together.  In the end you will be strong, happy, and connected.

Today is Day 1 of a ten-day boot camp.  My workout this morning totally made my day.  Not because of the physical exercise, but because it reminded me of how much I love being physically active!  I had a particularly hard winter, not for any reason in particular.  I found it VERY hard to motivate myself to do anything active.  That was not a good feeling.  As summer approaches I feel ready to be healthy, strong and committed once again.

I did this same boot camp last year.  I pushed myself too hard, often doing 2 workouts a day.  Combined with all the exercise,  I also did a cleanse and cut out all dairy, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.  I was crazed.  At the end of two weeks, I had gained 2 pounds and lost no inches.  Total astonishment!  On the last day I found myself in tears.  Later, upon reflection, I realized that I missed the point…entirely!  I was stronger, faster and I had spent 10 days working out with an amazing group of women.  AMAZING women.

This year, my focus is entirely different.  One of my goals is to be supportive.    There are many women who are stepping outside their comfort zone, pulling on those workout pants and showing up.  I was so proud of them today.  It isn’t easy to start and the key is to just keeping going.  One more lap, one more push up, one more minute, one more day.  Those women inspire me to push a little harder.  I hope I can inspire them in some small way.

Here are my four goals for boot camp. They are simple and focused on overall health.

1.  Drink water.  {Goodness, when will this NOT have to be one of my goals.  I am so bad at it!!}

2.  Complete my training runs. {I am running a half marathon in August so I have training runs I need to complete.  This means an extra workout four of the ten days.}

3.  Plan to eat every 2-3 hours.  {No cleanse for me this year.  I am planning out meals and working to eat BEFORE I am starving.}

4. Be supportive and have fun! {I totally missed the fun last year.}

Everyone’s goals are different.  If you took on a challenge like boot camp, what would your goals be?

The only person you need to be better than…is who you were yesterday.   Stronger than yesterday.

Just keep moving.  xo-denise

One of my greatest joys in life is being physically active.  It saves my sanity.  I run, attend boot camp, love barre class, and ride a spin bike occasionally.  In the past, I have trained for road races {including a marathon} and triathlons.  I find that although recovery may take a bit longer, I am still doing pretty well with endurance, strength, and balance.  However, my flexibility needs a ton of work and it only seems to be getting worse.  Growing up as a gymnast, I suppose I have taken flexibility for granted.  My hamstrings and hips are so tight I cannot do a static stretch without my legs quivering.  Not good.

I recently read that flexibility can help your body reach its optimum fitness level, may play a role in injury prevention, and can even contribute to staving off conditions like arthritis and more serious illnesses. Ok, time to take my flexibility more seriously.

I am committing to add stretching into my life {somehow}!  I would like to a yoga class {or DVD} at least once a week and stretch 10 minutes a day.  I can do that, right?

Do you find you are struggling with flexibility?

Here are a few resources I found interesting/helpful:

1. How to improve Flexibility

2. Increase your flexibility and improve your life {Bold statement!}

3. 6 Stretches for a long, limber body  {Yes, please.}

4.  Leg Stretches that Increase Flexibility for Dancers and Gymnasts  {Going to use this for my 10 minutes of stretching.}

Top image: Mary Helen Bowers from Ballet Beautiful