Get off the Couch

This is totally me (she has better hair).  Yum, those donuts look good.

I know how comfortable that couch is.  Trust me, mine has butt imprints from where I spent the last 3 years eating, watching TV and using my laptop.  Oh alright, sometimes I got up to cook and spend time with my kid.

So, yesterday I wrote about what program I'm using.  Today I have a little more time so I'll go ahead and detail the running portion.

Cardio

You really can use anything for this that gets your heart rate up into your target range.  If you don't know what that means, or what your target range is, check it out here.  I tried a few of those dance workouts, discovered that I the rhythm of a bear on ice and gave it up after a week.  So instead I started using couch to 5K.  It's a system that helps sedentary people who have never run learn how to.

There is a lot of debate out there about how healthy running is for your body.  It can damage your joints over time, but usually the only people who show joint damage are those who run marathons.  I don't think I will be doing that anytime soon.  There are amazing health benefits to running though.  Especially for women.  New studies are showing that women who run have less bone density issues as they age, which is a particular problem with our group.  If you really aren't interested in running as your cardio then try out some workout DVD's.  I used the streaming ones on Netflix.  A lot of these are low impact but will still get you going.  Swimming is great too!

Couch to 5K has you walk and run alternately.  Check out the full details here on it.   It increases your running time every week just a little.  Eventually you'll be able to run 5K!  Well, I've never made it that far.  I'm on week 3 right now.

You can do cardio everyday if you choose.  I do.  It's very healthy for you and it only takes 30 minutes out of your day.  I feel more energetic and sleep better.  My depression is better, even my allergies seem better.

I don't have a treadmill and to be honest I don't like them.  I like setting my own pace.  But I have an almost 3 year old and live in a neighborhood where I can't just go outside and run.  Very rural where the speed limit may read 45, but you know everyone goes 65.  I've let this be my excuse for far too long.  It's 20 paces from my living to the end of my hallway.  I'm running that.  Yes, I look silly running back and forth but my toddler certainly doesn't care, does she?  I'm also pretty certain that I'm not getting the same health benefits that I would if I didn't have to turn around every 20 paces, but who cares as long as I'm running?  If I had stairs in my house I would do those instead.

I already know what your excuses may be.  I have bad ankles, bad knees, I get tired too quick.  You know what?  I have stuff wrong with me too and I discovered that when I pushed past it I felt better.  My bad knee and hip are feeling better than they have since I had my daughter.

When have you had enough? 

I asked my husband this.  He knows how to run.  He was in Police Academy so he's trained to do this stuff.  You know that time where you feel like you're dying in the middle of a run?  That's called hitting the wall.  Don't stop, just push through it.  When he told me that I thought he was insane.  Then I tried it.  Alrighty then...  Yeah if I just kept going in a few moments the "oh my god my muscles are going to die" feeling went away.  I asked my husband when you stop trying to push through the pain and discomfort.  His answer?  If you're having a heart attack. 

Once again I need to advice people that I am not a doctor, nurse, fitness trainer or health expert of any kind.  Please see your doctor (blah blah blah) before attempting any strenuous exercise.  I am just a fat mommy trying to lose weight and help others. 

Yeah, I totally plan to put this legal disclaimer on all these posts.  I am not going to get sued for silliness.  Seriously, you should know your limits.  If you have a heart condition you really shouldn't be exercising without a doctor's supervision anyway.

I didn't plan for this to be so many blog posts, but I hate really long posts.  I'll be back tomorrow to write about my strength routine.