I’m in a workout rut. I’m beginning to get way too good at making up excuses as to why I don’t lift weights, for example. The past 15 years, I’ve been consistent with my cardiovascular exercise. I don’t know that I’ve ever gone more than a handful of brief stretches where I didn’t workout regularly. I consistently get in 4-5 workouts a week, every week. Most often, my exercise is either running or ice hockey. There’s some elliptical and random other activities thrown in, but by and large, running and hockey are my main forms of exercise.
The funny thing about exercise is that being “in shape” for one activity doesn’t always translate to other activities. Case in point: I almost died on the ice Wednesday night (chile rellenos for dinner too close to game time didn’t help my cause). Literally. I hadn’t played hockey in 2 weeks and had been doing way more running. I got out of hockey shape in a very short period of time. Scary fact, really!
This leads me to knowing that my muscles must be insanely out of shape. I hate resistance training of any kind. I don’t enjoy the feeling of being sore – it’s miserable! And so, I’ve skipped out on any weight baring exercise for…………a really long time. Way, way too long.
My first excuse was needing the equipment for home. Well, now I have the equipment and it has spent the past year gathering dust.
My next plan was to take classes at the gym at work. Except I then realized that the class times were far from ideal and before and after work were just not convenient. Lugging a gym bag with me every day and planning to stay after work for a workout was just not going to happen. I complained to the director of the wellness center about class times, but he didn’t budge 😉 And as for doing weights on my own at the gym — that’s so not likely to happen. I know myself too well for that.
Yesterday, I formed a new plan. I joined a gym less than 1 mile from my house. LESS THAN A MILE. They have lots of class times, some of which include mornings. I am going into this with very realistic goals. My goal is to attend 2 weight/sculpt classes per week. I am going to try for morning classes and if those don’t work…6pm classes. Hopefully this will give me 1. options and 2. flexibility. Plus, I can join a Saturday class whereas the gym by work would require a 35 minute commute. Not going to happen on a weekend, people.
I’m sick of making poor excuses for myself. This change needs to happen. Today.
This kind of reminds me of folks that are yet to acquire popsicle molds. That’s not a good excuse to not make these popsicles and enjoy, guilt-free, the wonders that are homemade popsicles. No more excuses!
- 1½ cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups fresh peach, about 3
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 Tbsp peach vodka
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup peaches, finely diced
- In a blender, puree the yogurt, 2 cups of peaches, honey, vodka, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- In the bottom of each of 10 popsicle molds, distribute the finely diced peaches. Pour the peach puree into each mold. Gentle shake the mold to allow the puree to reach the bottom of the molds completely; top off molds with additional puree if needed. Arrange a popsicle stick into each mold.
- Freeze for 6-8 hours or until completely frozen. Remove from freezer 5 minutes before serving to help release popsicles from the mold.
Friday, I’ve been ready for you since about Monday at 9am. It has been a loooooong week. TGIF!
Be well,
Great minds think alike, I posted popsicles on my blog today too! These look AMAZING.
Morning gym classes are the best!
While you have gym equipment collecting dust, I have pop molds doing the same. Time to change that with these! Mmmm…
Ok, now I have to get popsicle molds! Sound yummy
I know what you mean about being in shape for certain activities. In my opinion, you can never be at your peak performance in more than one endeavour at a time. Which, to me, always feels like a bummer. When I started yoga teacher training the classes were so exhausting I was having trouble keeping up, but by the end of 3 weeks everything felt easy. And then when I got back home from teacher training I jumped right back into my weight lifting routine and I lost so much strength it was unreal. I’m still trying to build it back up! Anyway, my point is, it sucks to feel weak in certain areas of fitness.
I really hope you love the weight training classes you’re going to take because it will make it much easier to stick with your plan. Obviously you stick with things you love like hockey, and running, and long romantic walks on the beach with Lily.
You and I (and The Candid RD) must have gotten the same memo. I posted some peaches and cream popsicles earlier this week. They are pretty awesome, aren’t they? 🙂
I’m the same way!! Strength training at the gym? No thanks. I’ll pass on all the shirtless men grunting.
I started doing Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. I was slow to try it, but now I love it! It’s only 20 minutes so I use it to supplement my normal workout routine (running, elliptical, yoga) and it has made a HUGE difference in my strength and my running.
I am a cardio girl all the way too. I always seem to be able to fit my cardio in but have so much trouble getting my weights in. I’m just not a huge fan of weight training either but I know I need it! And I also need to buy some popsicle molds stat because these looks so refreshing and delicious!
story of my life. Acquiring adult Popsicle mold has been moved to next summer. Weights- scare me hence joined a gym hoping to get into it. Cardio is ruling my life since forever. Happy Friday friend 🙂
Since I’ve been doing Insanity just about every night since June 1, I’ve lost TWO INCHES off my biceps alone – strength training is where its at!
Okay, great, now I need to buy a Popsicle mold – stat! These look delicious and the nutrition is amazing! TGIF!
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Wooo! Now THAT is what I’m talkin’ about! I’m hoping for similar results, Biz! 🙂
they sound yummy!
I was terrible with weight training until my mother in law told me she did Jillian Micheals “No more trouble zones” video every other day. She’s 60 and super toned! So I’ve been doing that video every other day at home for about 3 months. It’s good, and all you need is 2, 2.5 pound weights. I think the thing that works best for me is that I don’t have to get to a gym. I hate going to the gym and was always finding super convenient excuses not to get there! Good luck!
Wow, these peaches cream popsicles seem like a perfect treat for Arizona summer! I should make them today for a perfect summer treat since it’s still 95 degrees here. Thanks for sharing!
Sign up for a race! I know I won’t get myself to workout unless I have something to train for. Such great motivation.
Also..this recipe made me drool…. oops. They look so good!
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A race for weight lifting? I run all the time 🙂
Try a pump-n-run? I have never personally done one but really want to.
Trying this today 100% !!! thanks
Haha! Caught me! I’ve been eying all the dozens of incredible and healthy popsicle recipes that have cropped up all over the blogosphere this summer and have yet to buy the dang molds… I’m thinking that today might be the day, though! Especially since peach season is only so long! If I used plain vodka, would the taste be too strong?