Lately I’ve had sever friends ask me if I still run during the winter months and my answer is always a big YES. A little snow and cold is no excuse, infact I kind of like a bit of cold, it gets me moving a little quicker. It also sparked this idea for my post today.
NO EXCUSE has been my motto for as many years as I can remember. So today I though I would share how easy this “no excuse” motto can be when it comes to exercising.
FIRST: Find an activity that you enjoy. It could be anything from walking to running, spinning, bicycling outdoors, yoga, pilates, zumba, cross-fit, etc. The important part is that you look forward to this hour (or whatever time you choose). If you’re just getting into this fitness routine, it may take a few weeks or months to figure out which actitivies fit for you. I personally don’t think there’s any harm in trying a few to see which you enjoy. For me, personally, I enjoy working out alone. I look forward to my morning runs and/or cycling, especially being outdoors and breathing some fresh air.
Plus, the bonus to this kind of exercise, it only requires a good pair of shoes.
SECOND: Which kind of goes hand in hand with the first, is to find the location that best meets your needs and your personality. If you prefer working out at a gym, I would suggesst trying out a few before you sign your name on the dotted line for a year or so. Most gyms will be happy to let you purchase a week pass many give them for free. When I was looking for a yoga studio, I didn’t really need a full equipped gym so I simply found an excellent yogo studio. This is one activity I do enjoy doing with others and having an instructor.
THIRD: My “no excuse” has had to be my push when it comes to this portion, which is weight training. The older I get, the more I realize how very important this part of exercise is. If you choose a gym to go to, take a good look around for a variety of equipment and ask if they have instructors on hand that will demonstrate and show you how to use the equipment. If your like myself and prefer to work out at home, you can begin by purchasing simple items and adding to them. You can watch videos or read up on different ways to use them.
Here’s a few I use at home.
Stability ball.
Free Weights, resistance band, and medicine ball.
Yogo matt and fitness magazines for new ideas and motivation.
When my children were young and I was still working I just could not vouch for another hour away from home, so my husband and I began buying workout equipment each year until we had a nice equipped gym at home. This set up has worked wonders for me, but I know it’s not for every one. Even my cute daughter is a die hard fan of going to a gym. She says she need the competitive atmosphere.
FOURTH: Now this step is just the fun and totally unnecessary part of a work out program, but if you follow me, this will come as not surprise to you. I thoroughly enjoy working out in style. And, I actually owe all my exercise style to my one and only sponsor, which would be my cute husband. You see, he doesn’t really care to go in Banan Republic, Anthropolgie, Jcrew, Ann Taylor . . . you get my drift, but put him in a sporting goods store and he is right at home. So for any and every given holiday I get a wonderful mathcing set of work out attire (yes, shoes matching shoes and all). And, he picks them out all by himself. Is he the best or what? And even if its just to take a run through the neighborhood or the local parkway, it still feels quite nice to be doing it in style.
Here’s a little peek at my own little workout polyvore.
Well, I best by “RUNNING” along. But keep in mind, it really only takes a pair of good shoes to get going.
Has always, thanks for dropping by. Have a wonderful day.
Now you got me… my excuses… in winter… when there is snow…
We had a mild winter so far, now there is some snow but it actually shouldn’t keep me from running. Very motivating post, Trina and you are in great shape!
Your mountains in the backdrop are as high as the Alps here.
Annette | Lady of Style
2 x 60€ Valentine’s Legwear Giveaway
Thank you Annette. I actually exercise as much for my mental state as for the physical. It’s amazing what an hour of freedom does for us. Yes, our mountains are quite majestic. Don’t you just feel protected by them?
You are so stylish when you work out. I would need to go shopping before working out with you!
No excuses is a great mantra…and now I am off to go do my daily plank because there is no excuse not to!
Daily planks, you go girl! If you ever want a work out partner and you’re in my neck of the woods, I can assure you, you would look amazing in whatever you chose to wear.
Trina , You have an amazing attitude ,and work our wardrobe !!
I feel like such a sloth… It is important to exercise at our age and weight training is great for bones .. One day soon , I hope!XX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Thank you Elle. But never ever let another gal make you feel like a sloth, you are far far from this. I do believe you get plenty of walking in during your daily commute.
I do, but it is not excuse, sigh. It is okay, I find your inspirational! it is good to be inspired!
XX,Elle
i so love the pictures of you outdoors!
Oh my! I’ve never seen anyone so fashionable when running. Even the matching shoes!
My feet are very fussy, so when I find one shoe that works for me I buy a couple of them. Right now I probably need to buy new ones. But they never match like yours.
I tried running last year here in the winter…dangerous. Lots of people get broken bones doing that. I slipped on ice and went down but was lucky enough not to break anything. I tried the special cleats you can get for running shoes on ice and snow but they totally did not work for me. They kept coming off. Also, when it is -30 with the windchill they actually warn people not to run outside. Too dangerous.
I bought a treadmill about 3 years ago and now I really don’t have an excuse.
How far do you run and do you run daily?
bisous
Suzanne
Suzanne, I relate to fussy, did you notice the shoes are all the exact same style and make, (although this does make it easy on hubby). I don’t run outdoors on real icy days or the mornings right after a storm, for that exact reason. I’m way too old for broken bones. I also have a treadmill and a spin cycle in my home gym which I use during those days.
As for my running schedule, I like to switch off every other day – run on Monday-Wednesday-Fridays, and bike or spin on Tuesday-Thursday-Saturdays. I just think its good to work different muscles. I run about 5-6 miles and then do some weight or resistant training. I’m thinking about trying some cross-fit for a change. Have you ever done any, cross fit training?
Trina, such a stylish workout wardrobe, you have one clever husband. Love the No Excuses mantra, so true, I need to put it in place more often., its summer here, in Australia, so heat not cold and ice possible excuse BUT not tonight off to Zumba. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ah…. Difficult subject. I do indoors exercises. On machines. For 10 years now, Monday evening and Wednesday morning. An hour each time. No excuse. That is my motto too otherwise I would have 1000 excuses as I HATE SPORT, I DON’T EVEN WANT TO WATCH IT, not even the Olympics.
For 9 years I also did 15 minutes of tummy exercises every morning but I gave that up. Trying to replace it with another routine to keep my body supple but having trouble with my knees.
It is not easy doing something you hate, but discipline is my middle name. With the exception of buying clothes: no discipline there… all used up for exercises. As for sports wear: I have one fancy outfit for winter and need to replace the summer version. In and out the washing machine.