Gym Class Wrap-up

We all hated gym class, right? Well, remember that PE methods class I told you all about? Well, this semester we did the fitness test twice (where I improved on my mile!), watched Food, Inc. (which, I had already seen, but if you haven't - you NEED to), we wrote lesson plans that incorporated movement and we did a boot camp class.

This here is the track where I spent many, many, many afternoons many, many, many moons ago (lately I have been very nostalgic for my energy and stamina way back when). These past few months, I have revisited this lovely place we call the track and tried to make friends again. So far, so good.

Next week is finals and that means the semester is quickly wrapping up. On the one hand, I can believe it. But on the other hand, I cannot. Back in August when I wrote about this class, I said that I felt this class was the kick in the butt I needed to get back into working out regularly. With the exception of seriously slacking in November, I feel like I did a good job! I worked out pretty consistently (with the help of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred) and established a pretty regular gym schedule.

Here were my goals I wrote almost three months ago:

• STOP making excuses and STOP the negative self talk (such as "I can't do this").


• REDUCE the last minute homework/studying and reduce the amount of time spent on the couch watching tv.


• INCREASE motivation by working out with a buddy and regularly reviewing the stats from yesterday to keep me going.


• START scheduling and planning my workouts at the beginning of each week and hold myself accountable to that schedule like I do with work or classes.

I did a pretty good job at not making up excuses for working out, and I think I did a really good job at quitting the negative self-talk. I decided running was a mind game and that I could trick myself into running for much longer than I originally thought I could. When I wanted to stop all I did was say, "Anyone can do anything for just five more minutes. Keep going. It's simple."

And you know what? It worked.

The last minute homework/studying was an epic fail for me. I do pretty much everything at the last minute. It's bad. I've kind of accepted this about myself and that this is just how I study best. I do my best work under pressure. So, I'm leaving this one alone.

I wasn't able to start working out with a buddy. I've tried with two close friends of mine, but it's just not panning out the way I had hoped with our busy schedules. I do still have my close friend that is a group fitness instructor and I have begun going to her Zumba classes on Saturday mornings, which I know she is thrilled about - so there's that! Then I work out with C on Mondays when I'm with her. She's oddly motivating to me. I have to stay motivated to keep her motivated, so that motivates me. (How many times can I say motivated in one sentence?!)

I did start planning my workouts ahead of time and it has worked out really well! Last week I started plugging them into My Fitness Pal before the workout and although I was a little worried about it at first, it worked out fine. In fact, it worked out better than fine. Seeing how much more I could eat because I worked out that day was extremely motivating. (seriously, you try eating only 1200 calories a day! Not. Easy.)

So, although this PE Methods class was kind of a pain in the butt, I am really glad I took it when I did because it was the kick in the pants I needed! Hopefully I can keep it up throughout the winter!

Does having a workout buddy make a difference for you?

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