Part 2: The New Improved You!

I have to say that everyone is talking about all the drastic changes they are making for the New Year.  As much as I know most resolutions are broken, this year feels different.  I feel change all around me.  People along my path seem more positive.  It’s corny, but I feel hope and it feels really good.  I am actually totally motivated and excited to challenge myself like never before.  

Yesterday I talked about how important the eating part of this health and fitness plan is and I promised to share my work out goals and strategies. BTW you can follow on Twitter and see what I’m eating @brookeburke. I have to start by saying that I am not trying to lose weight and achieve an unhealthy goal.  I am trying to get into the best shape of my life, have more energy and less body fat.  Maybe I should rephrase that by saying more dense muscle because that’s what we lose as we get older and our body fat percentage increases.  I don’t own a scale, nor do I care how much I weigh, but I know that my body is changing as I get older and I have to work harder to stay in shape these days.  It is what it is, so work harder I will! 

Here’s my plan:
I’m totally obsessed with Pilates Plus!  I’m planning to do 3 classes a week, which is head to toe body sculpting and cardio all in 55 minutes.  In between classes I will do 45 minutes of cardio at the gym 3 times a week.  I am going to try to do my neighborhood hike with Shaya while Rain is in school, which is 4 miles.  I enjoy that walk so much that I will do it on a Pilates day, or with David since he is on an intense program, working out twice a day!  It helps so much when you have a partner to motivate you.  Even a friend that you can commit with can help you from flaking.

There aren’t enough Pilates Plus studios open across the country but there are many other options.  Find any kind of group class that will tone and burn calories.  It saves you time not having to train and do cardio, who has time for both? I can barely squeeze in my 45-55 min workouts! Group classes also save you $$.  January is a big month for gym memberships too, so look for that good deal.
 
This is the first time in my life that I am working out 6 days a week. But, I know that the more I do it the better I will feel. I didn’t say LOOK, I said feel.  I promise you that once you get over the hump, working out will produce so many positive factors; less stress, more energy, more self confidence, a sense of accomplishment, self commitment, better sex drive (yes, it’s true!), etc.   

I mentioned “me time” yesterday.  Well, this is my commitment to me.  I am able to do whatever anyone in my family needs of me; if I cannot give myself 45 minutes a day, I am in big trouble.  There no room for excuses here either.  I am usually too tired, not motivated, too busy, etc.  Not much has changed, except the motivated part.  And I am all over the sleep situation.  I am determined to get my little ones off too bed at 7:30 every night and sleeping in their own beds this month.  I’ll keep you posted as I go on that topic, I know many of you are in the same boat, but I want to focus on fitness for now.

Most group workouts should cost about $20, but there is so much that you can do for free.  Check out this work out video I did in my back yard.  It features some of my best butt moves, and you can do it at home!

You can hike, find some great trails in your area.  You can walk alone and really take “Me Time” to the next level or take a walk with a girlfriend instead of sitting at the coffee shop drinking that 300-400 calorie flavored latte. Don’t think I don’t love to get my non-fat latte at Starbuck’s and walk with it too!  But you have to make good choices.  You can easily type ANYTHING into The Daily Plate and it’s FREE and it will give you a calorie count.

If you don’t typically work out, start slowly; walk if that’s your beginning.  If you do work out, kick it up a notch.  Whatever your level is, do something more for yourself.  That’s what this is about: rallying, taking care of you and challenging yourself.   
It’s weird for me not to be writing about the kids.  Considering for many of us they are always there, don’t think that putting them in a stroller and taking a brisk walk won’t do the trick! I’ll share some more videos that you can do while at home with the kids.  
I’m off to bed now, gotta get up at the crack of dawn….Kids are waking up at 6am these days.  

Night Night.

Please share your thoughts with me.