The First Change.
Since I recently made such a drastic decision, I know there are going to be many changes to come. I keep reminding myself that these changes are great ones and are leading me to my ultimate passion: writing.
The thing is, I don’t like change! Do you? I admit it keeps things exciting, but it really makes me want to curl up in a ball.
In order to maintain a positive attitude, I am trying to find the best in all of these changes and remember that some may be short-term sacrifices for my long-term dreams.
The first change is a minor one, but definitely a change from what I’m used to. The first thing I did when I resigned was cancel my gym membership. I never had to pay for a gym membership because I always trained a gym. But that gym ended up being a good 15 minute drive there and back, and at 4:45 am before a long day… it all adds up. So I was paying a fee for a gym that is less than a mile from my house – it was just easier.
This is a huge change for me. I am pretty sure I can still go work out at the gym I trained at before, but until I decide if I am going to train a few clients again, I’d prefer not to.
This means… no access to weights! While it will most likely be short lived and I will be back in a gym once I have more solid plans, I am looking forward to changing up my routine, doing more yoga and doing more functional work. I may get a set of 20# dumbbells at some point, but I want to see how it goes. The thing I’m not looking forward to? We only have a treadmill.
Major snooooze. And as most of you know – I am not a runner. I despise running. It is right up there next to eating broccoli. Not my drug of choice. But you gotta give some things up to get the dreams you want, right? No big deal. Small potatoes.
So… if you don’t have a gym membership, what is your favorite strength training workout? I get bored very easily so will be switching it up a lot. Is there a DVD you love? A FitTv program you love? I’m certainly not in the market for Insanity or P90X (unless someone wants to send me one – ha!)
In other news, this weekend marks the two year anniversary of the How Sweet Wedding! Where is the the time going? Why am I not 17 anymore? And most importantly, why hasn’t the money tree I planted started growing in the back yard?!
90 Comments on “The First Change.”
We are one very tanned couple. Golden bronze, if I do say so myself.
I know, right? Snooki has some competition.
Happy anniversary to you! Mine is tomorrow :)
Aw! Happy anniversary! I love October weddings. :)
I’m echoing all the others who said 30 Day Shred. I have a hard time finding a time to do it when I won’t bother my neighbors (jumping jacks) but when I do do it, it feels great – after it sucks for a few days.
Netflix has a good selection of workouts in their instant streaming area.
Believe it or not the library has a ton of fitness DVD’s that you can check out for a week and then return and get new ones. It’s a great, great, great way to try out different videos without having to buy them.
Best of luck with all the changes! YOU CAN DO THIS!
I too am not a fan of change. At all. In fact even the thought of change gives me anxiety. But I just try to remember that change is good! Especially when you are getting yourself out of an unhappy situation! Best of luck in your transition!
Happy Anniversary! You look beautiful!
I love the Turbo Jam DVD’s – there are so many of them I never get bored and Chalene Johnson is very motivating. You can get them for pretty cheap on ebay or amazon.
#1-Happy Anniversary!!
#2-You want your butt kicked doing a workout video?? Buy Jillian Michael’s “Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism” DVD.
Holy.Crap.
F the 30 day shred. I was literally dripping sweat after circut 2 in this DVD (there are 7)
Once again…holy.crap.
I mumbled comments under my breath during the 30 day shread but for this video, when I can catch my breath, I yell at her. I’ve told her numerous times that “You’re a crazy b*tch!!!”
Enjoy :)
I definitely do not like change. I love routine and get freaked out when it changes, which it currently has. But then I get used to the change and all is well. You have a lot of great body weight workouts, you’ll kill this new challenge.
And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! You and Mr. How Sweet are totally my fave blog couple :)
Happy (late) anniversary! I love that picture.
The 30 day shred video is good, and I like that each segment is only 20 minutes so you can get in a good workout even if you don’t have much time. Or you can do 2-3 of the segments for a crazy workout.
Jessica,
That picture of you two is SO GORGEOUS! Happy 2nd anniversary to you! It is amazing how fast the time goes! ♥
I can into my new love for exercise last Jan. its Zumba! It works the whole body from head to toe. I feel like a cheerleader again. Learning routines and teaching them. I get the exciting oppurtunity to become an instructor and teach three times a week at our local Y. It works out great because I don’t have to pay a fee each month and plus a little extra spening money. I have noticed since I started Zumba a definite sliming in the hips and thighs and I have a six pack!!. I just get so excited! Check out some the youtube videos.
I love the On Demand workouts with Comcast. They’re always switching it up so you’re never too bored and it’s free if you already pay for your digital cable. I also love grabbing the monthly workouts from Fitness magazine which you can do as long as you have some free-weights. Those are SUPER cheap at pretty much any store. I have 3’s and 5’s. Push ups also do wonders – they work like 80% of the muscles or something crazy like that.
I love On Demand too! That is where I always do my yoga from and I love how they switch up the programs.
I used to have a gym membership (actually a very nice YMCA less than a mile from my house). Now I work out at home. I have dumbbells and like to use sparkpeople.com to set up my workouts.
I use a treadmill, and indulge in watching TV or movies while I’m on it. For variety, I have several cardio DVDs that I use. I like Lesley Sansone’s walking videos, which would probably be too easy for you. (I’m much older than you.)
http://www.collagevideo.com/ is a great resource for exercise videos for every level. They have helpful reviews, and video clips so you can check them out. If you build a library of several that you like, you can get the variety that you need.
Your money tree isn’t growing inyour back yard because I dug it up and put it in a planter on my balcony. Don’t worry…it’s not growing there either.
Everything will be fine!!! Just be strong and stick to your guns :-) I also have a feeling that you may eventually begin to love running…if you are forced to resort to that for exercise :-)
Happy Anniversary!
The treadmill isn’t all bad…wait who am I kidding it is. I love running but despise that thing.
I am sure you aren’t looking to spend more money, but the TRX system is a great way to do strength work with your body weight. I think they are under $200.
Otherwise check into Leigh Peele’s Lean Being programs. She has a body weight strength program that I thought was pretty extensive and challenging.
Happy anniversary!
I really admire your bravery in making such a big change. I’m in a similar position now, utterly miserable at my job but lost and unsure of what to do. I fantasize about quitting daily (hourly, even) but I’m terrified. I’d love to read on the blog about how things work out for you as they develop.
Beautiful picture. Congratulations!
Jessica!
I’m delighted to hear that you are in the process of FOLLOWING your HEART and your BIG DREAMS!
GOod for YOU!
Looking forward to following your journey!
You are a FABULOUS writer!
And photographer!
And MOTIVATOR!
And…and…and!
Well you know how I feel! ;o)
Now!
About that favorite dvd!
Well I have LOTS of favorite dvds for weights!
But my favorite all over body weight work out is this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007YY1HW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000J0JGGK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0YQTXBRWMK1BTKJRX0B7
Hope that long html shows up as a link!
You will need a step/bench for this workout!
I also like the Slow and Heavy dvd by Cathe Fredrich!
Can’t wait to read what every one else says!
And I am loving HOT YOGA by the way!
xoxoxox
good luck in your new transition!! It always amazes me how much you can do with a pullup bar, jump rope, and push ups… seriously. Just do as many of each in a row and keep going in a circuit until you fall over LOL. Best workout ever :)
I love the biggest loser DVDs…esp cardio max (use some weights), boot camp (weights and bands), and power sculpt (weights). Also love a few of Jillian’s. If I had a spare copy of p90x I would definitely send it because that’s great too…wonder if you could borrow it from someone?
Glad to hear you are still hangin in there! I really like to do 10 pushups, 10 lunges (5 down, 5 back), and 15 crunches and see how many I can get done in 15 minutes! It’s a great, quick workout that gives you some DOMS! I also love Chris Freytag’s workout videos. Go to TJMaxx or Marshall’s if you have those, and they always have DVDs for cheap! I am seriously debating whether to give up my membership b/c I am a runner, but have been doing yoga, aerobics, etc. with workout vidoes! It’s so much more convenient!
Have a great anniversary!!
I think I have a love hate relationship with change, but if I’m honest, it’s more of a love relationship than a hate relationship. I think when I am in the midst of the change it can feel daunting at first but then when you’ve grown from it, it feels great. I do need a heavy dose of it on a regular basis though. Otherwise I find myself getting a little bored and complacent.
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Happy Anniversary!!
Another vote for Turbo Fire! LOVE Chalene Johnson! I’ve never had a program kick my rear like this one. She kicks her Turbo workouts up a notch and also includes separate HIIT workouts that are awesome!!!!
I also take an amazing Zumba class. Our instructor has a background in hip hop so she puts her own spin on it….i am always a sweaty mess! Did not care for the zumba dvd’s but LOVE our live class!!!
If you want really short intense strength training workouts, try bodyrock.tv. Her pictures can seem a little over-done, but her workouts are awesome. All free and she has videos to describe everything. Plus, most of her workouts are body weight only so they’re great to do at home.
Happy anniversary! What a beautiful couple you two are :D
Happy Anniversary! You are a beautiful couple! :)
Happy Anniversary, Jessica! Your wedding photos are stunning (and so are you)! :-)
Regarding workouts, I been thinking of buying a weighted hula hoop and add that into my routine. It looks like fun, but I’m not sure how effective it will really be?
KETTLEBELLS! I adore them – they are fairly inexpensive and you can do so much with them. I love a good kettle bell workout!
This may be of no help…but Chris just bought this bar thing that you can put up in the door frame for about 3 different types of pull ups and then put it on the floor for push-ups and maybe tricep dips? Not sure if it would work for that. It’s nice b/c it’s not the bar in bt/n the door frame that you have to always keep there and it only cost $20. We have a set of dumbells at home and a balance ball. I haven’t gone to a gym since it was cold outside. I either walk/bike/swim and then come home and do some strength training + yoga. I’m sure I’ll have to hit the gym this winter though..not looking forward to it! :)