Domestic Goddess of Physical Fitness

My "little" sister Mary is 6'1". She's a tennis player, basketball player, runner, swimmer, cyclist, and golfer. She masters every sport she tries. She's coached basketball and tennis at all levels. She's a working referee. She's completed marathons, triathlons, and is an Ironman (though I prefer to say "Ironwoman"). I'm still not sure how we are related.

But I'm glad we are. Because when I feel like I need to start a new workout, or kick my current workout up a notch, I know where to turn. I asked Mary to share her "five things to consider" when starting your own personal workout journey:

1. Figure out WHY you want to workout:

• stress relief


• to be healthy


• weight loss


• social reasons/networking


• time alone


• to look good (of course this is an added bonus!)


• or some other reason you may have
  

2. Figure out WHAT you like to do:

• Do you like the gym atmosphere?


• Do you like the camaraderie of group classes (spin, yoga, pilates, etc...)?


• Would you like to have a trainer tell you what to do (there are affordable options)


• Do you like the feeling of pumping iron (free weights and machines)?


• Do you like the freedom of being outdoors, whether it's a good walk, hike, run or bike ride?
  

Also figure out if you like to fly solo or work out with others. Sometimes we're fortunate enough to have a friend to work out with, but other times it's nice to enjoy the solitude. An added bonus to having a workout buddy is there is always that "accountability factor" -- when someone is counting on you.

3. Figure out what fits your SCHEDULE:

• Are mornings your best time, or can you squeeze something in at lunch?


• Always schedule your workout just as you would an appointment -- pencil 'em in. It will keep you disciplined and focused.


• As your workout becomes part of your daily routine, you will not want to skip it.
  

4. Set some GOALS for yourself:

• Make some short-term goals and some long-term goals. They can be as simple as "Workout 4-5 times this week and drink 8 glasses of water daily"; or "Run my first 5K in 3 months"; or "Tackle that triathlon I've been dreaming about for a few years."


• Goals are extremely personal, so make them about YOU and what YOU want to accomplish.


• Setting goals keeps us on track and gives us little victories along the way.


• More importantly, there's nothing wrong with adjusting our goals along the way -- nothing is set in stone.
  

5. Make it FUN:

• Like everything else in our lives if we don't enjoy what we're doing, we won't continue doing it


• If you get in a rut (and we all do) mix it up and change things around


• Laugh and always have FUN!


• You'll be amazed at what you're capable of!
  

One thing that always makes my workout routine fun is MUSIC. My next post will list the top tunes for workouts from a sample of my Workout Goddess friends...

And for more proof that I must be adopted, my twin sister finished 10th out of 400-something 41 year old women in this year's Bolder Boulder. I wished her luck while I slept in late that morning...