Do you ever convince yourself it's a certain day and get excited that a particular show is on? Only to flip over to that channel and be gravely reminded that you're actually crazy and it's not the day you thought it was? Yeah, well I had myself convinced that Pretty Little Liars was on tonight (don't judge, it's quality TV...). I rushed to take a shower to be ready in time and settled in at 8:00 only to find... The Secret Life of the American Teenager. My first thought was, "WHY WOULD THEY PLAY THIS INSTEAD?" Cue to frantic flipping to the guide. No, it's not on at 9, either. Oh... right. It's Monday. Damn it.
So instead of working on a project for Humanities (oh you know, just a mock journal from a WWI that's really going to be more of a craft project because she's calling it an "active learning project," and we must think outside the box. I'm a senior in college, I SWEAR), I clearly decided my time would be better spent reflecting on what an idiot I am.
Also, I was thinking about how I'm going to get in shape this summer. Ah, yes. The dreaded "I'm going to lose 20 pounds this summer, I SWEAR." Last summer, I was convinced I'd come home from Florida with a killer tan and a new bod. Good joke, Lauren. I was tan, but hadn't lost any weight. Let me just say that the Florida sun is NO JOKE. You think you're going to have all this energy to work out, but it's quite draining... especially after 8 hours in the sun chasing after kindergartners. I worked out everyday until I started my camp job. Then, well, I kissed those dreams goodbye.
Due to the unfortunate need to take summer classes, I'm going to Florida later this summer and am therefore unable to work at the YMCA like I did last summer. You better believe that I am sorely missing that $12 an hour, 40 hours a week. As much as I may have complained about the heat, the campers, my incompetent boss, I made a shitload of money and was able to buy a new car last summer. Wahhh (Snooki cry, obviously).
So, since I won't be slaving away in the 100+ degree sun, I literally will have no excuse not to work out. My mom and I are starting a "diet" (not going into detail on purpose, because I know people have a love/hate relationship with the word, myself included) which will hopefully jumpstart the first 10 pounds, which are always the hardest to accomplish. My mom actually did this diet for a few months and lost about 15 pounds, so hopefully it'll be just what I need to slow my eating down. Lord knows I need it, after finals sprung up and my organic, vegetarian eating turned into Taco Bell. Vomit (don't get me wrong, I freakin' love Taco Bell... I'm just disgusted with my love for it).
So aside from tweaking my eating habits, I obviously have to get off of my ass. My parents have a great gym in their complex that's included within the common charges, so obviously it would be criminal not to take advantage. I've decided that I want to fully commit myself to Couch to 5k. There are a few variations of the program. For example, I believe this one is 8 weeks, but my aunt is doing one that's 12 so it's a bit slower paced. There are a lot of iPod/iPhone apps for the program, which are great. They sync with your music and tell you when to walk and run (they're even cooler with an iPhone because it has a GPS feature. I sadly only have an iPod). You do this every other day.
The point of my doing this is to condition myself to run outside. Here's the problem: it's hot. as. balls in Florida. If you don't get outside by 9 am, you're done for. I really want to be able to do this outside, which means I'm either going to have to drag my ass out of bed early or go after dinner. Rough life, I know. Perhaps I can get my mom to do it with it, in which case we'd probably go in the morning. I actually feel great and energized when I work out first thing in the morning, so I guess it won't be the worst thing in the world.
As for the days I'm not pounding the pavement like a boss? I'm pretty much obsessed with Jillian Michaels' DVDs. She is insane and they're not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I love that they're SUCH a great workout. They're the only DVDs I feel like I actually get something out of. The fact that she combines weights, cardio and abs in the matter of 20 minutes and kicks my ass blows my mind. I own 30 Day Shred (this is the 20 minute that combines weights, cardio and abs), Six Week Six Pack (insane abs with some cardio and weights), Banish Fat Boost Metabolism (40 minutes of cardio), No More Trouble Zones (40 minutes of weights), and Yoga Meltdown. The only one I don't like is the yoga DVD. Sorry, I just can't take yoga seriously, especially when it's Jillian Michaels. I expect her to be pushing me while I'm sweating like a pig, not calmly telling me to get into downward dog. Not happening.
If you've never had the (dis)pleasure of having your ass kicked by Miss Michaels, I suggest starting off with 30 Day Shred. It has three different levels, 10 days for each. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. But what I like about it is the fact that for 20 minutes, you feel like dying, but as soon as those 20 minutes are up? You're DONE and you probably just pushed yourself harder than you would have during an hour at the gym (if you're anything like me, anyways). Once you get used to her crazy ways, take Six Week Six Pack for a spin. Again, it's HARD, but the results are rewarding. I swear, you'll begin to see definition in your tummy in no time. Once you feel as if you're a pro and have the stamina to endure that crazy bitch for 40 minutes of pure cardio or weights, try the other two. They are literally insane and you WILL be sore for days, but it's totally worth it... and this is coming from one very lazy individual.
These are pretty lofty goals, especially considering my previous track record with working out. However, I think that since I will literally have nothing else to do and because my mom and I will motivate each other, it might just work.
What are your favorite ways to stay healthy in the summer?
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