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Or physical. It’s time to get physical.
Video via YouTube
A couple of things happened that made me realize it’s time to get serious physically (physically serious?).
One: It became August…I don’t even know how that happened. And after August, y’all, it’s September, and after that…wait for it…comes freaking October!!! Who knew?!?
Two, I just got back from a week long vacation at the beach. Nothing makes me want to work out more than wearing a bathing suit all week.
We’ve got about three months until The Big Day, and that means I have that same amount of time to tone up and most importantly, annihilate that stubborn stomach fat. Why did I buy such a fitted dress anyway?
I mean, I’ve been tryyyyyyyyyyying to work out. (Yes, I’m whining now.) I joined a gym. I got a new yoga mat (It’s blue and really pretty). And I go to yoga twice a week. Ok, sometimes just once. I was gonna go today but I took a nap instead.
Image via Maria Media
It’s been suggested that doing downward dog is not enough to tone and sculpt my entire body, and that I might have to do some dang blasted cardio too. The people who suggested that are probably just haters…whaddaya think?
Here are the problems, also known as, my excuses for not exercising.
1. Motivation. I ain’t got it. I mean, I wanna be in shape for the wedding…I just don’t wanna go to the gym.
Image via Warrior Mind Coach
2. Migraines. Sometimes I get migraines from working out. Normally it’s if I do something really intense (for me…it’s probably not intense for the average person). Par example, one time I got a migraine after doing Jillian Michael’s No More Trouble Zones. And last week, I may have gotten a migraine after yoga class…I realize that makes me sound incredibly lame…hence the tiny font.
3. Mitral Valve. I have a very teeny tiny heart thing known as Mitral Valve Prolapse. Mine is pretty mild, I guess…but sometimes causes me to pass out while doing exercise that has sustained cardio. Like Zumba. Or running.
4. I’m freaking busy! Hello, I’m planning a wedding and working one full time job, one part time job, and trying to start two new businesses. Plus, it’s Shark Week this week. I ain’t got time to work out…I need to make some more buttons. Or some poms. Watch True Blood. Ok, maybe I’ll have to make some sacrifices….
SIGH. Big fat freaking SIGH. Do you have the secret to flat abs, and if so, can you give it to me? That’d be super, thanks.
Let’s get physical!!! Go Livvie - just listen to that song and dance around the house!!!! Great cardio!
Most headaches come from dehydration! And hydrating has to start much earlier than people think. If you’re working out the next morning, drink a goodly glass of water the night before (stop when your stomach feels a little “sloshy”.) Also, if you’re thirsty, you are already starting to get dehydrated. Bananas are also great workout snacks/workout nutrition.
I would like to point out that you are awesome for the dinosaur poster, I in fact have that very image on a shirt. Which shockingly isn’t motivating either… I feel your pain Miss Magic. I too am facing down the 3 month mark and I have found my motivation to be dwindling as time gets closer. Chocolate continues to look more and more tasty while sitting on my butt watching Eureka/Pretty Little Liars and waking up at 5:00AM to go to Boot Camp just… doesn’t look tasty at all.
@Miss Snapdragon: I was just gonna say that (about the water/headache-thing)!!
I also tend to have the urge to pass out during exercise, though it’s due to a blood pressure condition instead of my heart. I’ve learned after much frustration that walking is still good exercise, you just have to do it for longer. To cut back on the time involved, I crank the incline on the treadmill up to 10%. Four days a week for at least 40 minutes is the minimum. It sucks, but not everyone is cut out for running.
I also get headaches, and 99% of the time, they are from dehydration. Dehydration does a lot of really bad things to your body, not all of which you will feel are a result of being dehydrated. Bed Bath and Beyond sells a fantastic stainless steel water bottle that holds 32oz of water. I make it my goal to drink the whole bottle and then refill it at least once every day. Even if your headaches are caused by something else, the water will still help you lose water weight and, consequently, some of the belly bloat that makes you look fatter than you are.
I feel your pain (er, lack of motivation). I have very simliar reasons for not working out when I should. I’d rather rest after a long day of work and catch up on my DVR.
A trick that has helped me, keep a excerise ball and small dumbells in the living room (I specially say in the living room because when I “put it away” I rarely take out again). With excerise equipment in the living room, its staring at you in the face. Saying “use me! work out with me!” You can use them to do various workouts while watching your favorite shows. Make a plan. Create a routine and give yourself a schedule. For instance, your schedule can be to workout during Real Housewives, Flipping Out and (insert a show of your choice). But then let yourself relax during True Blood (I mean, you’ll want to actually see what’s going on in some of those scenes, if you catch me drift…) Its so easy to do some crunches, curls and biceps workouts while watching tv. Its better than sitting on the couch like a lump on a log. I hope you find a routine that works with your already packed schedule. Keep us posted what you find works best for you.
I hear you!!! It’s why I keep entertaining thoughts of returning my fitted trumpet gown that demands a MUCH flatter stomach than I currently possess for a nice, forgiving ballgown…. but, am doomed to loving my dress (and being MUCH too late to cancel it!), so I started a pilates group class - there’s 5 of us, so there’s a public-embarrassment factor if I wimp out of showing up, and pilates is AWESOME for tummy-flattening/general toning. If you don’t want to go to a class, my sister swears by denise austin’s DVDs (also on iTunes for something totally reasonable like $8).
Do you have your dress already? For me, there was no greater motivation than my first dress fitting. It fit without needing to be let out, but I could see how I would benefit from toning up a few spots.
Workouts are important, but I made the most improvement (in a month) with diet changes. My seamstress told me: no bread, no sugar, lots of hot tea. So, that’s what I did. I drank lots of tea & water and totally cut out breads, sugars (not fruit, necc.) and starches. Lots of protein & veggies. Cutting out bread & sugar totally flattened my stomach.
Good luck! And, remember, no matter what, you’re going to look beautiful on your wedding day!
This post is just awesome-sauce. It’s like you were speaking right at, or would it be with, me.
I agree! Exactly where I am. Especially since I have to lose weight to get into my dress so that it won’t have to be let out!!
I used to always work out after work but started a job that makes my day a little longer with a longer commute. It was a pain but I eventually converted to be a morning gym-goer. I find once you get used to it is is so much easier to get it over with before work than after when I can find a bazillion excuses not to go.
And now that song will be stuck in my head all night. Thanks 
30 min elliptical trainer/30 min lifting weights.
It’s good stuff. I had the perkiest boobs I’ve ever had when I was doing that routine. I miss being able to go to the gym… darn this pesky sense of ambition and poverty!
It is SO hard to find motivation to exercise! I’ve been trying to interval walk every other day, but it just isn’t happening….If I exercise I could probably lose more weight…lost 8 pounds in the last 2 weeks on South Beach Diet
I agree with whoever said Pilates! It’s similar to yoga, but in my opinion you get a better all-over workout. Also, I tend to find holding poses boring, whereas Pilates is more movement-oriented.
I don’t know how true this is, but my sister once told me that to get flat abs, you eat a lot of yogurt. (Sorry, not the frozen kind!)
Locate a gym with a TV on each machine. Watch an hour’s worth of show(s) at 10% incline. Or 15 during show%, and down to 3% for ‘rest’ during commercials I prefer the interval to straight option. Granted, I doubt any gyms get HBO, but I lost a lot of weight a few years ago by cancelling my cable subscription, forcing me to go to my gym (with cable!) for my TV fix. So in order to watch the good shows, i had to be on the treadmill. And you know, it’d look funny in front of everyone if you just stood there watching it.
Miss Magic, you are AWESOME! I love your posts. Just want to send you some love and encouragement, remember that your man loves you because of who YOU are. So keep your chin up and do the best job that you can, and give yourself a pat on the back with every workout, because you are taking care of your body and that’s what’s important!! Not some number on a scale! You will look amazing on your day, and the Hive will be there to cheer you on and see your gorgeous pics!
I’m the same way when it comes to working out. I hate it! I have five months to get in shape for a 1/2 marathon (that’s 13.1 miles!!!), and I am regretting the “smart” idea to sign up for one. I have no advice for you because I can barely motivate myself off the couch somedays. Good luck getting seriously physical.
I signed up for a boudoir session for September 23. Lemme tell ya, that’s BIG motivation to workout for the wedding. The dress fits….me in a bikini, whole other can of worms….
When I get the 3pm wall at work, I have my computer pop up and tell me every day at 3pm to do 3 x 15 tri-cep dips. I tell myself this will help me get Michelle Obama arms.
Jillian confesses in her Master your Metabolism book that she HATES working out, but knows how good it is for you and that your body needs it.
I have lost 2 inches on my waist and 2 on my hips thus far and I’ve only been at it a month. You can definitely do it!!
You might want to consider adding weight training. That will burn more fat then cardio, and with your heart thing, you could do interval and/or resistance training in shorter workouts, than doing a 1 hour Zumba class.
I hate running, but I really enjoy the classes offered at my gym.
Another way to get your ass kicked is to hire a personal trainer.
Seriously, sign up for a boudoir session you will be at the gym in no time!!!
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Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NC Age and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Researcher Engagement Date: December 1, 2009 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Barn at Valhalla About Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
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