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I really don’t like to exercise. Most of the things I really like to do involve sitting – reading, artwork, working at the computer, etc. So, in order to motivate myself to move more, I employ a lot of outside help.

• First, I’m trying to do something different each day, trying to put the emphasis on different muscles, different goals, attempting to make my body sit up and take notice. (Since I’m not an athletic person, my body is really NOTICING!)

On Monday, I did 35 minutes on my elliptical trainer. Since it’s out in our garage and it’s COLD here in Arkansas, I moved faster than usual and was happy with my workout.

Yesterday I focused on yoga stretching and abdominal exercises. Since it’s been awhile since I exercised (I used all kinds of excuses – the holidays, our son home visiting for three weeks, then reaction to our first Shingles shot – to procrastinate – and believe me, I can get quite creative when it comes to excuses – I was a bit stiff and sore. I was still able to touch my toes, but the abdominal exercises were quite a challenge. I made it through my workout, but the hiatus showed me that I need to get – and stay – serious about this effort.

This morning I tackled what I call my ‘Annoying Leslie” walking video. I have to admit this lady knows what she’s doing, looks great, and provides a really good workout for me. I only made ONE mile, instead of TWO this morning, so my work is cut out for me here, too. I want to be able to walk TWO miles and then do the exercises at the end of the video in time.

Tomorrow I plan to do balance and reaction time activities on the Wii Fit Plus DVD. I have to grit my teeth because whoever wrote this video has a bit of a cruel streak. Even when I do better than I did the previous time, it says, “This isn’t your strong suit, is it?” or something to this effect, and “Do you fall down a lot?”  Nevertheless, I know I NEED the balance exercises AND the reaction time stuff, so once a week won’t kill me. (I do wish I could punch the person in the face, though.)

Finally, on Fridays I’ll try to keep up with this gorgeous, graceful lady as she grooves to fun music. This is really a workout, and I have trouble keeping up with her, but she is really laid back. She stresses that you don’t have to do exactly what she’s doing. You can do your own thing – just keep moving. This is a fun, though strenuous for me video. It’s a good way to end my exercise week.

Weekends will be for any make ups needed.

• My second motivator, along with the change in activities daily, is that I give myself an actual gold star – the type we used to get a hundred years ago on papers on good school work. I got a package of 1,000 on the Internet for next to nothing and I add them to my desk calendar when I complete my exercise for the day. It’s amazing how childish I am, actually making myself get up and go exercise in order not to spoil my record for the week :0)
• The third motivator is that I’m beginning to FEEL a difference. When I walk, my body feels a bit looser. The pain in my joints is less. I FEEL happy that I’m trying to improve my health.
• The fourth motivator is that my husband, who truly treats exercise as if it’s a four-letter-word, is being a bit of a cheerleader. The only room large enough in our house to really spread out or move around on the floor is our living room. It’s where our DVD player is, too. So he sees a lot of my exercise efforts. He’s actually congratulating me on a job well done, or encourages me when I’m disappointed, saying I’ll do better next time.
• The final motivator is that the measuring tape is showing some improvement and I’m able to get into clothes I haven’t worn in years, or – when I buy new things, I’m able to buy smaller sizes for the first time in umpteen years.

So – I have 3 stars this week so far – and am going for number 4 tomorrow!