What's Your Schedule?

Remember back--way back--in high school or college when that was one of the questions we all asked each other? Would I have ever made it to class if my goal was to go to English or Biology "some time today" or "three times a week?" Unlikely.

So why do I think that will work with the exercise plan--or anything else?

Nope. For me, it needs to be a little more specific...we form our habits, good or bad, by repeatedly doing or not doing something. When I was exercising most regularly in my life, it was a lot more like that college schedule. Running Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at specific times. Going to a particular class scheduled at the YMCA. Appointment exercise.

Since I am unemployed, I have the time to exercise whenever I want to. Do I? Well, um, I have an appointment, so I can't be sweaty, oops I just had lunch; I really should sit at the computer and look for a job; well, I've had some drinks at Happy Hour; oh, who just said something clever on Facebook? Maybe tomorrow.

And tomorrow? Same thing, different day.

So this time, it's back to appointment exercise. Every day. Alarm is set for 6:30 AM and by 8:30 AM I must have started my exercise. As previously stated, I am working out 5-6 days per week, every other day being cardio and alternating days being strength training.

How's it going? So far so good! Yesterday I did 31 minutes on the spin cycle (and reintroducing myself to Matt and Meridith on The Today Show). Today, 30 minutes of floor exercise flew by. I found the folder I squirreled away of exercise tips and I will start incorporating them the day after tomorrow.

It feels good! Exercise really is the tonic it is cracked up to be. Already, I am sitting straighter, "tucking in my abs," and feeling a wee bit thinner...

I am also strapping the pedometer back on, because I am a firm believer in just "moving more" and I want to see how that is going and how I can step that up. It can be the little things that add up. For instance, whenever it is about 10 degrees (with a minimal wind), I park at least a little farther away from the door at my destinations. When I'm watching TV, I stand and do something, anything....swing the legs, do some squats...something to keep the lard moving.

So, tow days down and hopefully I am building a good habit. They say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. So I'm not out of the woods yet!

What's your schedule?