Two steps forward...

Having successfully worked out for four days, I was quite disappointed to miss exercising today. I did, however, learn a valuable lesson. If I want to workout, it must be one of the first things I do. Otherwise, I will get too busy and it just doesn't happen.

As I write this, my young son is asleep in my arms and it is shortly after midnight. If I am to get exercise tomorrow, I must get to bed soon. How does it get to be so late?!

With only a few more days until Christmas, I need all the help I can get so I can have enough energy to get everything done. So off to bed I go. Sleep well.

Victory

Well, I guess it isn't victory yet. But I did t-tapp this morning!! Even though it wasn't the very first item on the list, it was close to the top and instead of getting caught up in the urgency of so many tasks, I focused on what I really wanted to accomplish

As wonderful as it would be to say the rest of the day went smoothly, that wouldn't be completely accurate. Regardless of how the rest of the day went, however, I felt better knowing one essential could be checked off the list. Yeah!

Not Again

The day started before I was ready for it. Even though I put on sweats with the intent of working out, it didn't happen. Eventually, responsibilities of life necessitated a change out of the sweats, having never completed the workout.

In spite of repeated failure to consistently workout, I am NOT going to give up. Especially if I have to keep writing about failure (even if no one is reading); the accountability is helpful.

Only 15 minutes a day; surely I can make that happen. In time, I will! This journey is not just about exercise, I am discovering. It is also about self-discovery, choices, and managing time instead of letting time manage me. When the exercise structure is finally established, not only will I be in better shape, but all areas of my life will be influenced and improved. That is a goal worth striving for and a journey worth taking, even if there happen to be a few (or several) bumps along the way.

Ugh...

Well, I am doing terrible with spending even just 15 minutes exercising every day. And, I can tell; I don't feel as good and my pants are getting snug again. Between migraines, sick kids, sleepless nights (like tonight), and everything else that goes along with having eight children, it is really difficult to take the time.

As I write this, however, I again recognize that regular exercise will help me have more energy, which means I will be able to get more done, sleep better, and probably have fewer migraines (right now I average two a week). Being busy is really just an excuse. It is easier not to exercise. It is easier to choose the path of least resistance than to be intentional. The Bible is right, though. I will reap the consequences of not exercising; I already am.

Even though tomorrow is Thursday (technically, I guess TODAY is Thursday, but you understand) and Christmas is just days away, I am going to try again! After all, if at first I don't succeed I just try, try again. That is how Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. He didn't look at failures as obstacles. He just kept eliminating what didn't work.

Oops

Having learned that if I don't work out first thing, it probably won't happen, I began my day with a calculated error. Because of another rough night with the baby and too much familiarity with the snooze button,, I was behind even before slumping out of bed. The schedule was full;I couldn't afford to be late.

Instead of taking the fifteen minutes required for t-tapp, I decided to try and fit exercise in later. It didn't happen. You'd think I'd have learned by now, but I haven't. What I have learned, however, is not to give up. Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it, yet. So.stay tuned for Day One, Take Two...

I Did It!! Yeah.

Made it to Day Five. My eight month old baby boy had a really rough night, so I was really tired when the morning began. But, I had too much already invested to give up easy. Just fifteen minutes made it possible to fit my workout in before running out the door for a busy day. And it was even easier today than it was yesterday. For the second time in a row, I did hoe downs, too.

This isn't a quick fix. I will not be able to undo the effects of years of neglect, but it is exciting to see progress already.

Made it to Day Four

Yahoo!! I just finished Day Four. And, I can already feel a difference. My husband says look more fit, too; after only four days! Not even a full week and the efforts are paying off. Not only that, but I did the Basic Workout PLUS hoe downs. For the last three days I was too tired to do hoe downs. today could do them. Yeah.

I still haven't taken pictures. Honestly, I haven't taken pictures bcause I feel so embarrassed about how heavy and out of shape I've let myself get. But, between pregnancies and new babies (I've had three babies and been pregnant five times in the last seven years), and all that goes into managing a family of eight (yes, I have eight kids and I delivered every one of them), I have not taken the time to stay healthy. It is, however, because of those eight precious children that I am nce again pursuing fitness. And t-tapp is helping make it happen. Thank you, Teresa Tapp.

If you want more information, visit www.t-tapp.com. The workout I am doing is "Basic Workout Plus." You can check out all of Teresa's resources on her website.

Day 3

Since I generally operate on hindsight rather than foresight, I'm starting this blog on day three rather than day one. But I so believe in t-tapp, I want to share my experiences with the world.

About seven years ago, a neighbor shared about a fantastic workout that only took 15 minutes a day. As a busy mama, a 15 minute workout that could do every day seemed perfect. So, tried it out; my neighbor was right! T-tapp works. A short fifteen workout, done consistently helped me lose weight, get in shape, and not starve myself in the process.

Self-discipline isn't necessarily my strong suit, so I haven't stayed consistent with T-Tapp. Consequently, I'm back where I was seven years ago. Except I have more children and even less time. Knowing, however, that t-tapp works, I'm starting again.

It is SO hard to exercise every day. But, it boils down to a simple choice. And, I've made that choice three days in a row. Now, starting this blog, I have extra accountability.

Later I'll post pictures of what I look like now, so you can see what difference t-tapp really makes.