I have NOT been a good girl.........

Hello everyone! I hope you've had a wonderful few weeks, sorry I've been so awful about posting to this blog.....My problems started when I got a migraine that lasted a full week. Seven days of he** on earth, no doubt about it.

During that seven days, I managed to get off my exercise plan in a major way. Now I've been finding it difficult to get (and stay!) on track again. Why is that always the case? My MO is that I only need one major setback and I'm in big trouble! Honestly, am I really this lazy!? Or it is that I just really do not "love" exercising?

You know those people that love to exercise.....I have several friends who do. I wish I was one of them. I know I NEED to exercise, but I don't exactly "enjoy" it. I enjoy how it makes me feel - strong, confident and self-empowered; but I do not enjoy the act itself.

Tomorrow I'm going to get up and at least walk my 4 miles. I haven't done this in well over a week now. I feel extremely lazy. BUT.....it's just about time to get in a swimsuit and hit the beach. I literally *shudder* when I think about it, so must get moving again!

Plus, my 40th birthday is looming on the calendar, and I'm really far behind in reaching my goals. Wish me luck, I'm afraid I will need it! :-)

Make it a great Tuesday - my reward after exercising will be a hair appointment. I feel better just thinking about having my highlights done.

XOXO, Lori

What's on your Playlist??

Hello everyone! I bet you we can all agree on this topic - MUSIC is KEY to helping us push through the exercise routines, right? Imagine taking an aerobics class to the Easy Listening, or practicing yoga to Alternative Rock? It just wouldn't work, don't you agree?

When I started my new fitness routine, I knew one thing I had to do was "mix it up". I get bored very easy, and let's face it, I was pretty lazy too. Hey - at least I can admit it! I also knew I couldn't say "I HAVE to make it to the YMCA every day". It just isn't practical - first off, I live at the beach which is GREAT but it's 15 miles from the YMCA. Second, I have a beach right across the street and walking/running is free. I generally have always preferred to take a group exercise class - more for motivation purposes than anything else. Face it, those classes just make it difficult to give up and walk out. I'm too concerned what others think, and I don't want Granny outdoing me anyway......LOL

So I decided I would get an iPod and load it up with music, and start walking/running on the days I didn't make the group exercise classes. I knew the type of music was critical to my workout success, after all, I love "Beth" by KISS but it's not for moving fast! :-) Music is SUCH a personal thing to all of us. What one person loves, another hates. In the spirit of this discussion, I would like to share my "current" exercise playlist with everyone. My sweet hubby thinks this list is AWFUL, he begged me not to post it for fear I would totally embarrass myself (or him, God forbid).

Without further ado, and in no particular order:

1 - Everybody Wants You - Billy Squier
2 - Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
3 - Never Enough - Eminem, 50 Cent & Nate Dogg
4 - Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
5 - Paradise City - Guns N' Roses
6 - Jenny From The Block - Jennifer Lopez
7 - Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N' Roses
8 - U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
9 - Hot In Herre - Nelly
10 - Fight For Your Right - Beastie Boys
11 - Survivor - Destiny's Child
12 - Time To Get Ill - Beastie Boys
13 - I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
14 - Independent Women - Destiny's Child
15 - All Summer Long - Kid Rock
16 - Hey Baby - No Doubt
17 - Cocky - Kid Rock
18 - Let's Go Crazy - Prince
19 - Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
20 - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It - Will Smith
21 - YMCA - The Village People
22 - Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers
23 - Girls, Girls, Girls - Motley Crue

Now, before you say anything, I realize there are at least 2 common themes here. #1 is ATTITUDE. These songs scream attitude, and to me that means we're on a mission. #2 is AGE. Yep, they're old. I'm old, 39 and counting (and trying to HOLD!). But honestly, can you go slow while listening to Beyonce sing about being independent??? I doubt it!

Let me know what you think - I can't wait to hear it - I'm expecting some funny comments. Also feel free to tell me what's on your playlist - what music motivates you??? It is time for me to mix up my playlist!! :-)

XOXO, Lori

p.s. I used to be in the music "biz" so this really interests me! But that's another post for another time!

Back On The Wagon.....

Hello everyone! I hope you've had a wonderful weekend with family and friends, and haven't been too cold. It's even cold down here in lovely Coastal Alabama!

A bit of good news to report - I am now back on the wagon! Yesterday I absolutely had to FORCE myself to go exercise.....but.....I DID IT! It was cold, the wind was blowing hard, man I didn't not want to go for a 4-mile walk/run. I waited until about 2pm, when it warmed up to approx. 48 degrees and bundled up and away I went! I must admit, it actually did feel great to do something again! My "rest" period has been way too long, and boy can I feel it! Of those 4 miles, I ran less than 1 mile. Towards the end, I ran more just to be DONE and get inside where it was warm, haha.

Now the real question is this - did I exercise enough to burn off the calories from last night's dinner and wine??? Probably not! We went out to celebrate my younger sister's birthday. Grouper baked and covered in sauce, steamed veggies, gouda cheese grits and too much chardonnay! Needless to say, I was a little exhausted today and didn't do any exercise (unless you count laundry and taking a shower, LOL).

How are you managing your New Years resolutions? Doing ok so far? Don't let it get you down, just keep plugging away. That's what I plan to do!

'Till tomorrow.....enjoy the above pic of me and the hubby last night!

I've Fallen and It's HARD to get up!

Hello Everyone! It's been a while since I posted here.....you might wonder what in the world I have been up to??? Well I can tell you this, I have NOT been doing good on my diet and exercise program. :-( I know what you're going to say "well, it's the holiday season" and that is so true! I was trying to at least keep up with my exercise, but I haven't succeeded. Now I'm thinking, well if I can just get through the season without GAINING weight, surely that would be considered a success???

I hate to be one of those "new years resolution" people, because I truly believe resolutions set you up for failure. I don't know about you, but I tend to make them and break them by Jan. 31. However, I have to get back on the plan. My 40th birthday will be here on August 12, 2010.

How are you getting through the holidays? Are you staying on plan and focused? Let me hear about it! Help me get motivated again!