no excuses

Frankly, I've been avoiding the running topic because well, its been too lackadaisical to really even talk about. A run here and there. No real effort exerted. I've been... dare I say "jogging"?

Hand to forehead. Ghasp. Faint.

Honestly, I am NOT making excuses but I did have some "stuff" going on that I needed to handle with care. Its all good now... but it demanded some caution and that meant I had to sacrifice my routine... which led to lethargy and putting everything off "until tomorrow".

But, now I am healed and with winter approaching, if I don't step up my fitness game, I might as well slap on the bear suit, take stock in honey (but nothing else because evidently the economy is going to hell) and hibernate my way through many, many episodes of How I Met Your Mother, Boston Legal, and Jon & Kate Plus 8... mixed with the occasional episode of Biggest Loser to remind myself JUST how much of a slacker I am.

That is getting way ahead of myself. I am still close enough to "in-shape" that within a couple of weeks, I'll be back up to my half marathoning self.

Here are my goals to protect myself from packing on the winter pounds!

- Kick it up a notch - For the past 2 months, I've observed NO schedule, NO program, and have made NO progress. Duh. The thing is... I am not really training for anything right now. I am simply running to run which is an absolute wonderful way to live but it is too complacent for me and it allows me to slip and push things off to TOMORROW. Well folks - today is tomorrow and all the slacking ended on Sunday(with homemade apple pie).

- Be healthy - Its really not about "looking good", its about feeling good... and this is NOT achieved with exercise alone (though I wish it was because oreos + me = BFFs). What I really want is to adopt an eating and exercising lifestyle that is healthy and balanced. I love me some junk food. I also love vegetables and healthy choices. I plan to dive more into those Skinny Bitch philosophies and figure out a plan that works for me.

- Switch it up - I am going to integrate A LOT of variety into my winter fitness life. Spin, elliptical, pilates, core stregth, etc. I've been doing the running and calisthenics thing for the past few months and honestly, I am somewhat uninspired and have a very difficult time going to the gym during the warmer months. But now that it is getting colder, I'll get more into the cross training which will help to keep me interested.

- Buddy system - I've enlisted my gym buddy and BFF, Melissa, to help me get my sh*t together. While she is quite possibly half my size, she is eager to be more active and build more muscle. And, everyone knows that working out is always more fun with a friend. If nothing else, we have a good time picking out her potential husbands at the gym.

- Challenge Myself! Viv over at Excuse #1 I'm Not Fit to Run has instituted yet anotehr fabulous weight loss challenge. And while I am not aiming to lose all that much, a challenge is JUST what I need to stay motivated. I've thrown my hat in the ring.

These goals are ambitious but realistic. The real challenge for me will be to maintain at least the fitness side of the equation through the holidays... the eating/diet side? Eh, we'll see how that goes.