Great Beginner Workouts

I used to be the kind of person who hated anything remotely related to exercise...working out, walking, lifting weights, you name it I didn't want anything to do with it.  I didn't like the idea of getting hot and sweaty and always told myself that I was just too busy and couldn't make the extra time to exercise.  But as time went by my body got worse and worse and finally it began to HURT to sit all of the time and do nothing.  SO I CHANGED MY ATTITUDE.  I joined a local running group (of course I started out by walking and gradually worked up to interval running) and also joined CrossFit to try to tone things up (I am on a weight loss journey and so getting things in shape as I lose weight is really important).  What I learned about myself is that I don't hate exercising, I was using that as an excuse to be lazy.  I actually really enjoy the way I feel after running or working out, I love the feeling of my body being awake and my adrenaline flowing....but more than anything I love the feeling of accomplishment.  So much so that I completed my first 5K in March and have ran two more since then!  It wasn't easy to begin, in fact it hurt like crazy the first few times I went out with my running group because my body had never moved like that before.  But it did get easier and easier as time went by.

If you're in the same position and are looking for a good place to start moving your body and working out,  I've got some great beginner workout ideas I'd like to share with you that have really helped me.

1. 4 Week Walking Plan for Beginners:  My Fitness Pal and Leslie Sansone have paired up to bring you an amazing 30 day walking plan that takes you through not only walking but also working your abs, arms, core and more!  I love Leslie's workouts, they are always so fun and honestly go by so quickly that you can't believe you just walked miles during an in home workout!
2. Total Body Workout for Beginners:  This is such a great way to work your entire body yet is a great jumping off point if you're just starting out.
3. Beginner's Flat Abs Workout:  Ab and core work are SO important when working out!  Your core is your body's powerhouse...it facilitates movement, houses your internal organs and helps with balance, posture and back health.  Keep this area strong!
4. CIZE - The End Of Exercise:  This workout is crazy awesome!  I've never had a workout be so much fun and I'm not even a dancer lol!  But this baby works out your entire body in a FUN way so you actually ENJOY working out!  I highly recommend this one for sure!

So there you have it, some of my favorite beginner workouts.  What are some of your favorites?  They can be beginner or advanced, I'd love to hear from you :)

Feeling Fancy

I am loving my new workout outfit! It is so hot and humid out there and it's definitely time to move out of my comfort zone of wearing T-shirts and workout pants and start wearing shorts and tank tops! This is huge for me because I never wear shorts and I never wear tank tops because I've always had big legs and big arms but now that I'm losing weight I'm starting to feel a little more confident in myself and in what I wear.  And workout clothes don't have to be expensive either...I got everything but the shoes at Walmart smile emoticon

Leslie Sansone

I just didn't feel like going out today to walk so I tried this DVD for the first time and I must say, it really worked some areas on my body that I didn't even know existed! It was different from normal outdoor walking for sure, I actually felt like I got a better workout than being outside!  And because you are walking in place to the beat of the music and the music gradually gets faster and faster, before you know it you've walked a mile or two!  This one is a keeper, I really love it!  ‪

Be In Love With Your Life

Yesterday when we were out on our walk I had my daughter take a few photographs of me from behind because that is the one view that I don't really get to see during my weight-loss transformation. I usually don't that big of a difference when I look at myself in the mirror and can only REALLY see a difference when I put up a before and after photo of myself … when I saw this picture it really took my breath away! I can see a huge difference! I know I'm not there yet and have a ways to go but just seeing this really boosted my motivation and made me so happy because NOW I can see a difference! 

Chance vs. Change

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change! If you're not living a healthy lifestyle (spending time in prayer, eating healthy, getting plenty of exercise, also getting plenty of rest, being as stress free as possible) then make some changes to LOVE and HONOR yourself!! Take time out for yourself, treat yourself to some quiet time alone in a room curled up with a good book or out for the day with good friends enjoying a nice healthy lunch or a long walk.  Your body, heart and mind will thank you!!

(By the way, my third 5K is in the books and this one was a virtual Run for God which means I was able to choose my own course and do it at the time of day I wanted to so I chose to do it outside in the drizzle!)

Color Run 2015

My oldest daughter and I did our first Color Run this year and it was amazing!  We had so much fun AND got some great exercise in the process!  This was my second 5K of the year but my first color run so it held every but as much excitement as my first 5K in March!  I can't wait for the next one :)

My First 5K

If someone would have told me a year ago that I would be running a 5K I would have told them they were crazy.  ME, run a 5K?  Heck, me run at all?  Go figure, I did do it and it has changed my life!  I've never been one to exercise and honestly have hated it my whole life.  But with the changes I have made to my life recently, I'm finding that I really like exercise and how it makes me feel.  ACCOMPLISHED.