Fit Mommy: Excellence Takes Time, Discipline, and Ingenuity

The one thing that I've noticed about those who choose to work out at home—for whatever reason—is how much more disciplined and dedicated they are than those who don't. Now, before you go wild and accuse me of being short-sighted, keep in mind that I'm not saying that going to the gym four, five, or maybe even six days a week doesn't take discipline. I did that for years and I know it does, but if you're at home with only a set of dumbbells and a a pair of gym shoes, then you're really having to work hard to find a regimen that works for you because you have to be creative when there are no machines or trainers to guide you.

While there are tons of at-home workout programs at your disposal—from television to DVD's—let's face it, those items can only be used so much before you start to get bored and yearn for something more, or worse quit altogether.

That said, keeping things fresh is a challenge when the only person planning the activities is you.

In my personal experience I've found that no matter how hard the way gets, I am always continuing to look for another challenge. If I start to get bored, I research other exercises I haven't tried or look into refining my fitness goals a bit.

For example, if my abs are finally showing, but my back needs a bit more work, then I focus on doing more to enhance it. If my strength training regimen is no longer producing results, I increase the repetitions or the weights—and along the way I continue to add to my home gym and, eventually, there is little I can't do in my own home.

I know that excellence—based on my standard of what that is—takes time, and every ounce of my being wants that excellence in the worst way. So while I may not be the best-of-the-best, I will work my tail off to prove that I'm every bit as focused as the next person.

It's all about continuing to succeed in my goals and reach the next level and, come hell or high water, I will do just that!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kimberley on Pinterest

Time to Get Back on Track

I saw this poster this morning and loved it! Despite my best effort, there are weekends where I struggle to maintain my eating habits and come Monday morning I am often feeling sick about it. This, however, put it all in perspective for me and gave me the boost I needed to just forget all of that nonsense and get back to work!

Source: pfitblog.com via Kimberley on Pinterest

Stay Hydrated

I drink water almost exclusively—save my current addiction to homemade smoothies and the occasional margarita—but you have to know how to best use this source of hydration to benefit your body if you hope to reap it's numerous benefits:

Before a long run, a race, or a training workout, drink plenty of fluids. The day before an event, drink extra water, 100 percent juice and/or other nutrient-rich fluids such as nonfat or 1 percent milk. Monitor the color of your urine. The goal is pale yellow, not clear... 

...Every athlete has unique hydration needs. By weighing yourself before and after exercise, you can estimate the volume of fluid your body requires to remain hydrated during exercise... 

...To help you determine the amount of fluid you lose during exercise, you can weigh yourself before and after exercise. For each pound lost during activity, drink 24 oz. of fluid. If your body weight increased, you have overhydrated and you should drink less fluid in future exercise sessions. (Katie Jeffrey-Lunn, "How to Hydrate Before, During, and After a Workout", Active.com)

The most important aspect of this article...STAY HYDRATED. It's very important, particularly if you're training in high temperatures, to keep the water bottle handy. If you're feeling sluggish or light-headed, chances are you've not had enough food or water. Training minus the appropriate amount of either is counter-productive to reaching/maintaining your fitness goals.

A Book Worth Reading

The Shack (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I tend to go on reading binges every few months or so and when I do I gravitate towards books that I've either had in mind for a long while or whatever is on the New York Times Bestseller list. Once I've had my reading fill, I go back to perusing magazines and what-not. It's odd, I know, but my schedule doesn't always dictate time for reading a novel regularly. 

That said, I've managed to ready three books over the past week and one of them was a short, but extremely heavy, novel called The Shack.

The story within the book is a fairly simple one to relay, a man loses his young daughter to tragedy and now faces struggles within himself as to the relevance of a God who doesn't step-in to keep such things from happening. Several years later, he receives a mysterious note asking that he return to the place that has caused his heart and soul so much pain, the aforementioned shack—the place where his young daughter was presumably murdered—and upon his return he finds that there is more to God than meets the eye.

I won't give away the story but I will say that if you are a person of strong faith, this book will certainly make you question some of the ideals you've always believed to be true about The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.

It's certainly a book worth reading so I recommend it highly.

Check it out.