In case you don’t remember, here’s the formula:

First 15 comments
1 comment = 2 minutes of walking or jogging up to 30 minutes daily

Comments 16-30
1 comment = 5 crunches in each abdominal zone (total of 20 crunches) up to 300 total crunches daily

Comments 31+
1 comment = 1 minute for a weekend household project (cumulative Monday-Friday)

I’ve been trying to do a little extra and just use the comments as my baseline, and it’s really paying off! I’m shooting for a 20-minute walk a day plus vigorous playing with the dogs for at least 15 minutes at least once a day. The walk doesn’t happen every day, but I’m getting there. I definitely need some work on the crunches, though.

So, get me moving! Leave your opinions here at LivelyWomen.com, and I’ll exercise to thank you.

Check out the Exercising for Comments Blogroll over at Trying to Catch Up and show your support for the other exercisers!

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Exercising for Comments: Update

What’s your fitness plan for this week?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Exercising for Comments

How are you keeping fit this week?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Will Exercise for Comments

TIP 1: Tell someone what you’re planning to do and ask them to help you be accountable for that commitment.

Even though I don’t celebrate any holidays, I always have high hopes for the first day of a new year. I tell myself that on January 1, I’ll wake up and do my workout (hah!), clean the house (hah hah!), and have an amazingly productive day (hah hah hah!). I’ll cook a delicious and nutritious meal for my husband, I’ll buy fresh flowers, and it will be the first day of the rest of my organized, impressive life.

Every year, I’m disappointed in myself.

It’s not that I’m not a good goal setter. I am, honest. I’m just not a good goal follow-through-er. I bet I’m not alone in that. (Please, tell me I’m not alone in that!) I need some motivation to stick with my goals, particularly that of exercising regularly, so here’s what I’m thinking.

Several women bloggers made a commitment to exercise for blog readers’ comments through the end of 2006. You can check out Barbara (who came up with this brilliant idea in the first place), Sunflower, Veronika, DeeJay, and the others they’ve linked to for more details. (And be sure to leave them some comments so they can work their butts off and be an exmaple to the rest of us!) Thanks to Sarah for pointing it out to me!

I’m going to make you a promise today, this very first day of January 2007. I will exercise daily for your comments.

UPDATED January 2, 2007
For every comment you leave at LivelyWomen.com…

First 15 comments
1 comment = 2 minutes of walking or jogging up to 30 minutes daily

Comments 16-30
1 comment = 5 crunches in each abdominal zone (total of 20 crunches) up to 300 total crunches daily

Comments 31+
1 comment = 1 minute for a weekend household project (cumulative Monday-Friday)

I’m hoping that in the next couple of months, y’all can whip my sorry butt into fabulous fitness. I’m not particularly overweight, but I’m in the worst shape ever. Seriously. I get winded walking up the stairs in my own house (and my house is t-i-n-y). I’m definitely over having squishy arms and no energy, and I’m counting on you to help me change that!

What are you working on for 2007? Leave your resolutions in comments! Need some encouragement to stick with them? Let us know! We’re in this together, ladies, so let’s help each other.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Day 1 of the New Year

I’ve been struggling this past week with making time to exercise. I’ve made excuses all week, saying, “If I go to the gym, I won’t meet my deadlines … or get the laundry caught up … or get to the grocery store.”

But you know what? I found time three times this week to go to Curves and to jog for half an hour, and those were the days when my mind was clearer and I was less distracted. So I could stay on task and accomplish more.

In his blog at The Writing Life,Terry Whalin has been discussing insights from novelist Janet Evanovich in her book, How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author. I’ve never read one of her books, but what jumped out at me was how she describes her workday:

Okay. When I’m in a book. I like to keep the momentum going, so I usually work an eight-hour day, five days a week. I like to be at my computer by about 5:00 or 5:30 A.M. I stop writing around 2:00 and become a businessperson, answering phone calls, doing mail, and having discussions with my publicist and whatever. I take an hour or two out in the middle of the day for exercise.

Aha! The secret to a bestselling author’s productivity! She takes out an HOUR or TWO each day to exercise. I definitely thought that was blogworthy — and worth emulating.

Post from: Blisstree

Making Exercise Part of Your Daily Routine

1. I’m too busy. I’ve got a meeting, a deadline, an appointment, can’t squeeze it in.
   2. It’s raining. When it stops, I’ll go.
   3. It’s too hot. When it cools off, I’ll go take a walk.
   4. I’ve already taken my shower today — better wait and exercise tomorrow.
   5. I’m running late, and the step class already started. Oh well. I’ll be on time tomorrow.
   6. I’m not in the mood. I’m sure I’ll be in the mood tomorrow.
   7. I’m having a stressful day. I won’t be as stressed out tomorrow. Then I can exercise.
   8. My (fill in the blank) hurts. I better take it easy today, so I won’t overdo it.
   9. I hate working out alone. I need someone to work out with me.
   10. I got winded walking to the mailbox — doesn’t that count for exercise?

Do any of these sound familiar? My #1 excuse is that I’m too busy. Yet when I work out, I have more energy and can accomplish more in less time. How about you? What’s your biggest excuse?

Post from: Blisstree

Top Ten Excuses for Not Exercising

So, I feel a bit like Cinderella, wanting to go to the ball, but looking around and trying to figure out something to wear. Except nobody at b5 media cares what I wear — just what I write. Cool. But where do I start?

Great links. I’ve discovered that’s what makes a good blog — compiling the best links for readers. When I browse the other b5 blogs, every writer is passionate and knowledgeable about their topic, and that’s what I’m aiming for as well. But first I thought you might want to find out a little about me before I start blasting away about the topic of women’s wellness.

Here’s the deal. I’m a 37-year-old mom of five kids under age ten. I have a lot of stress in my life just keeping up with my crew. Until I hit my mid-30s, I had boundless energy and never had to worry about my weight. After a few months’ postpartum chasing kids around, I got back to normal.

Hmmm….what does normal feel like? I’ve forgotten.

Since having my last child 14 months ago, my weight hasn’t budged. I’m 30 pounds heavier than I was in 2004, when I began to feel like my old self again. Now, these pounds don’t seem to be going anywhere.

I’ve tried walking — even bought me a pedometer and wore it around a few weeks. I lost it. Bought another. Lost it too. Joined a fitness center. Went once and couldn’t keep up with all the skinny college girls in tank tops. Felt like a lump of jello. Gave up.

Then in early April, I joined a women’s circuit fitness center, Curves, and started going three times a week. At first, I could hardly get through the circuit once, much less twice. After a month, my weight was the exact same. After two months, the good news was that I’d lost 4% body fat, but my weight hadn’t budged.

I stepped up a notch by going to Curves five times a week — after two more weeks, guess what the scale showed this morning? I’ve gained two more pounds. Those nice, enthusiastic trainers tell me,”You’re doing great, Heather. Just keep coming. You’re gaining muscle weight, which weighs more than fat.”

Don’t give up. Don’t give up. How about you? I’ve discovered that blogging about something is like my first baby step toward doing something. I don’t care so much how I look; it’s how I feel. I want to feel energetic. The Japanese say genki. I want to feel genki.

The only time of day I have energy is early in the morning — then I droop the rest of the day. So, you see why becoming the “Lively Women” blogger is like beginning a journey for me? And you too, I hope. Let’s beat this thing together. Do you want more energy? (YEAH.) Do you want to take control of your health? (YEAH.) Do you want to live long, live well, and live now? (YEAH.) Then let’s do it — together.

(Can you tell I used to be a cheerleader?)

Post from: Blisstree

Postpartum Weight Loss … Ain’t Happening for Me