The Challenge Has Started!

Have you?


What did you do today or yesterday for your health?  What are the habits you are working towards forming?

This week's focus is consistency in working towards the goal.  Sure, there may be faltering the first few days as this challenge is new, but do not take any faltering as failing.

For me - I had to start my challenge one day late due to school work taking me into the wee hours of the night Sunday and again Monday night.  Today my alarm did not go off in time for my morning workout, so I will have to start it up tonight.  The key is to move on and pick up right where I am today. 

The wee hours of Thursday will bring Annelise and myself traveling to Florida to start our journey to the 140.6 mile victory lap.  Along the way we plan on stopping off at the rest stops and getting in a quick run.  I am counting Thursday as a workout day!  Friday I am hoping to get in a nice swim and am packing my wetsuit and swim gear just in case the ocean is a viable option.  We are volunteering on Saturday, myself the 6am and 9pm shifts and Annelise the 9pm shift, so in the middle we plan on walking around and taking in the full IM experience.   Sunday we are signing up for the 2012 season, and I hope to sneak in a long run; possibly a10k or 10 miler, along the beach. While I will not be doing my INSANITY workouts during this weekend most likely, I am still being active, and I am counting this activity towards my goal.  This means that when I return from the trip, I will start back up with the DVDs where I left off.  I am going to do this program from start to finish by any means possible.  This creativity is allowing me to be consistent.

I have found that when I am consistent, even getting out and doing a portion of a workout if I cannot get in a full workout helps me better than not even attempting it to begin with.  If I have 5 miles on tap for a mid-week run but only have time for 3, I will do 3.  3 is better than 0.  1 is better than 0. Alternately,  I will do a two-a-day if that option is open.  I do this by doing 50% of the scheduled run in the morning or at lunch, and then 75% of the scheduled run distance after work.  This equates to 2.5 miles + 3.5 miles = 6 miles.  I takes both of these runs at an easier pace than I would have the scheduled 5 miler.  It is a great way to boost miles safely, as well as increasing caloric burn through the day.

One thing I will advise against is doubling up on workouts if one is missed.  Doubling up on workouts is much different than doing a two-a-day in order to complete a workout.   If something is missed, just walk away and get back to it tomorrow. There is no benefit in cramming in missed workouts.  It leads to additional stress and the elimination of the body's ability to rest and recover from other workouts.  It is a one way ticket to Burnoutville.

All of this goes to show that we must be creative sometimes in order to meet our goals.  But it is from this creativity that fresh new habits are formed.  The biggest thing for this week in starting the challenge is STARTING.  It does not have to be big.  It does not have to be bold.  It just has to be.  Focus on being consistent and making an attempt at something each day.

There is still time to join in the challenge!  Some members are doing a 30 day challenge, others a 45 day challenge, and others the full 60.  Whatever works for you!  Send me an email at jwarstler@gmail.com and let me know what your personal challenge is and when you are starting.  All challenges will end on December 29th. 


Rock on my friends!  Rock on!

~Jenniferlyn/RedZone/RunnerGirl