Today’s post is dedicated to MizFit. She has been inspiring me since Day One and today her guest-blog post felt almost psychic. Her blog post (written by guest George) is about working out every day.
Not too long ago a friend Tweeted me (Twittered me?) and said “Dude you work out every day? You are hard core!” That made me laugh. I do not think of myself as a hard core person, especially in terms of workouts. But gradually over the past months I have come to expect that unless something (see MizFit’s post on what those somethings might be) comes up that makes it impossible, I will work out every day. It used to be that I would work out “when I felt like it.” Which could range from “never” to once or twice a month. Then I began working out, by schedule and appointment, about 2 times a week, maybe 3x if I was feeling extra hard core (ha). THEN I started aiming for 4-5x a week. But then I’d forget, “What is the day I don’t work out again?” and eventually it morphed into, if I am alive and breathing, not injured or ill, then I’m working out.
It helps a LOT that I do different things on different days. Some days I run. Some days I go to a Nia class. Some days I go to my trainer and do weights and stuff. Today I woke up in a hotel so I went to the fitness center (a really, really great one!) and did 40 minutes on the elliptical, a bunch of free weight and ball stuff, and some other stuff. When I read the MizFit post, it made me really happy. I was like YEAH! I feel good now, and ready to do all the other things in my day.
SO, in honor of and in gratitude for MizFit and all she says and does, I am doing a giveaway today! I have a wonderful size L women’s T-shirt designed (I think) by Miz herself. I ordered it because I always assume that if something says “womens” then it is automatically very tiny. But this shirt is actually pretty large, and too large for me. I would guess it is about a size 14-ish. Maybe 12. So I am going to be ordering another in a different size for myself, and I am giving this one away.
In order to be eligible to obtain this fantastic piece of apparel, just leave a comment here about your favorite/most used/most creative excuse to NOT exercise, AND what response you can come up with to turn that around so that you DO exercise. Example:
Excuse: I don’t have enough time. (this is certainly not creative, but it is common)
Response: I have plenty of time. In fact, I am going to ______ while __________ or instead of ________.
OK? Ready set go!
foodfoodbodybody 
September 10, 2009 at 2:55 pm
(I love spreadshirt because their stuff isnt ubertiny)
YOU ARE SO FREAKIN SUPPORTIVE OF ME.
thank you.
thank you.
and YOU ARE SO FREAKIN INSPIRING TO MANY.
thank you
thank you.
September 10, 2009 at 3:00 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE the MizFit! LOOOOOOVE her!
Please don’t count me in the give away, as someone else should have that fabulous tshirt and I already have like 5 cuz i’m obsessed with her 🙂
Keep on keepin’ on Foody, you are awesome & inspiring!
September 10, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I love MizFit too! She is awesome, and this post is too! You don’t have to include me in the giveaway because I already have too many clothes!!
Just wanted to send some appreciation to MizFit and you!
September 10, 2009 at 3:14 pm
do nothing while crying because something killed my cat.
and when I feel better…
do 30 day shred while my kids are off to school instead of farmville on facebook.
September 10, 2009 at 11:15 pm
something killed your cat? For real? Oh dear. I am so sorry about that.
But I do agree that 30 day shred beats Farmville (but I know how addictive those things can be; my own nemesis is word games).
September 10, 2009 at 3:43 pm
A MizFit lovefest? Count me in!!! She rocks!!! (But don’t count me in for the drawing, I bought one of said *awesome* shirts. And yes, they run about 1 size larger. I was skeptical of the “order one size smaller” advice, but I did, and the large fit *perfectly*; I usually take an XL in t-shirts. Also, my chest protrudes, and I am so happy to say that the design sits just right wrt the bust.)
Okay, here’s my response (not entirely exercise-related, but definitely overall wellness):
“I have plenty of time. In fact, I am going to walk and eat lunch outside in the sun instead of hunched over my desk.”
September 10, 2009 at 3:45 pm
P.S. You ALSO rock! You inspire me with your tales of Nia and other fitness and of living life to the fullest while dealing with type 2 diabetes. 🙂 Not to mention how generously you support fellow bloggers in our comments and via tweets. THANK YOU!!!
September 10, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I am a fan of MizFit too. I also am very impressed with how you have taken control of your health. I am a daily exerciser too, I find that it is easier for me to do something everyday, as opposed to negotiating with myself to do it tomorrow instead of today. I used to make up all kinds of excuses, not enough time, my knee hurts, I don’t want my muscles to get too big, haha! Now I just make sure exercise is my priority above all else, enen a clean house! Thank you for your blog – you are an inspiration to me. I have added you to my blog roll!
September 10, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Wow working out every day is hardcore. I’ve never in my life worked out every day for any period of time. I guess I just love that rest day once a week. And I feel like I need it. But good for you; I think it’s awesome!
September 10, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I think I DO end up taking a “rest” day once a week or at least every 10 days or so, just by circumstance. I just don’t plan it. If I feel like working out and I CAN work out, I do. But if something comes up like illness or injury, that’s when I rest. I also mix in the more “hardcore” workouts with something like Nia that can be either really vigorous OR really relaxing, depending on what I feel like doing with it.
September 10, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Excuse: I cant work out because that work out scares the shileighleighs out of me.
Response: (Don’t look up the workout before going to the gym…CrossFit changes it daily)
Actually, the response is something along the lines of: If you don’t go you are just cheating yourself. Scale the workout if you have to, but results only happen if you do the work necessary to get there.
September 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Miz Fit is a SUPER STAR! We all love her it is against the law not to 😉
My biggest excuse is that I am always to dang tired!
Response: If I did exercise I would feel better and have more energy, not to mention look smokin hot sooner than later!
Other frequently used excuses in Shannonville….
My alarm did not go off
My kid kept me up all night
I don’t feel well
Oh that was this morning, I forgot I was supposed to be there.
I only have 2 legs
I have a bone in my leg
There are fingers on the end of my arms
You were the one who was supposed to call ME!
Response: Enough of the BS get your A** out the door and just do it!
XO
September 10, 2009 at 11:18 pm
“I have a bone in my leg” ?!?!? That just made me crack up. What is THAT supposed to mean. As opposed to…? Shannon that is a quoteable quote if there ever was one. You are not going to hear the end of that one.
I have a bone in my leg! HEE!
September 10, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I loved MizFit’s post today as well! My most used excuse is “I’m too tired” – my stock response is “Suck it up and do it anyway – you can take a nap later if you’re still tired!” – and yes, sometimes I do take that nap! But I always go to my workouts – I love how I feel after I’m done!
September 11, 2009 at 9:19 am
Just want to chime in and reinforce what MizFit said….you inspire so many people!! And it’s great you don’t do the same workout everyday. Need to give some muscles in your body rest, so doing things like walking and Nia are great ways to still get in some exercise.
I think exercise should be so much a part of your day, that it’s like brushing your teeth. You do it as part of your daily routine.
Keep up the awesome work!!
September 11, 2009 at 10:25 am
That’s awesome, someday I will get to that point, I can’t wait!
September 11, 2009 at 1:38 pm
“I just found out that my law exam that was in 11 days is actually in 6 days? FML”
“Well, you can read and pedal on the recumbant bike and that way you won’t get distracted with dishes. Do you really want to do the dishes instead?”
September 11, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Put me on that MizFit bandwagon & let me drive! She is awesome because she is so real and down to Earth. Plus she reminds me of my favorite ex-coworker, both in appearance and voice, so I was naturally drawn to her. Enjoy reading both of you, actually. Lots of good advice & motivation.
My excuse: Oh, this bum ankle I have from breaking it in 2001 and snapping off a ligament and then getting pregnant so I couldn’t have surgery for 2 years always slows me down & I’m terrified I’ll reinjure it so I should just take it easy.
The comeback: Every pound I lose relieves 4 pounds of pressure off my joints. When I got to about 40-50 pounds, I started noticing that it didn’t hurt as soon as I woke up. In fact, unless I really overdo it, it rarely hurts at all any more. Will I ever have full mobility again? Not without reconstructive surgery. But I realize now that I can’t baby it, and by staying active, I’m doing myself a bigger favor in the long run.