When It's Hotter Than Hot. . .

Have you seen the temps in the Midwest lately?  Oklahoma City, I kid you NOT, was hotter than Death Valley, California nine days out of ten the last few weeks! Here's a little snapshot of our prior week:

Our Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallins issued a news release last week asking Oklahomans to pray for rain. She wrote:

“I encourage Oklahomans of all faiths to join me this Sunday in offering their prayers for rain. For the safety of our firefighters and our communities and the well-being of our crops and livestock, this state needs the current drought to come to an end. The power of prayer is a wonderful thing, and I would ask every Oklahoman to look to a greater power this weekend and ask for rain.”

CBS News sheds light on just how intense the weather has been:

For 47 straight days, temperatures in Oklahoma City have topped 90 degrees. There has only been one day below 100 so far this month, and it’s expected to top the century mark through at least next Friday.

This summer’s searing heat is setting new records. This month alone high temperatures have been tied or broken over 800 times.

I don't know about you, but this is so discouraging when all I want to do is go for a nice, brisk, cool morning run when I wake up. Even then, at 6 a.m., we are looking at 95 degrees! No bueno. My fitness/run goals have been hit and miss, to say the least.

I hope the weather where you are is a bit more reasonable, but if it's not, you can take some of these ideas that I've (with the help of Pinterest!) come up with to stay cool and beat the heat!

1. CREATE A SHORE STORY

One of my personal favorite things to do when it’s hot outside is to visit my local park, which happens to be right next to a lake. I usually round up the kiddos, grab a large sheet, and sit right next to the refreshing water. If you’re feeling particularly brave, go ahead and jump in –the water might be a bit chilly, but wouldn’t you rather take a dive than sit there letting your make-up melt off your face? 

2. BUY SOME BALLOONS

Fill ‘em up with water and stage an epic fight. A water balloon battle in the backyard is a fun and an inexpensive way to cool down fast. And it’s perfect if you have kiddos –or are a kid at heart!

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AC

If you rely on your trusty air conditioner and are in search of something to do when it’s hot outside, consider kicking back and relaxing. Mix a fresh pitcher of iced tea, crank up your new summer playlist, and delve into the romance novel you’ve been meaning to read for the past month. Or, take a cue from yours truly and watch “Law and Order” reruns. They don’t disappoint (believe me, I know).

4. HOST A SLEEPOVER

Though I’m in my thirties, I’ve never quite gotten over the girly greatness of a sleepover. Get your best friend or sister on the phone and tell her to check out a few flicks on her way over. Meanwhile, order delicious take out and get your nail polish ready. It’s going to be a long –and chill– night!

5. START A BLOG

One creative thing to do when it’s hot outside is to sign up for your very own blog. For me, it all started last year on a miserably boring September afternoon and a simple Blogger.com account. Today, I have a few hundred regular readers and a parenting/health blog I update every other day.  Blogging about your passions can lead you to scoring a job doing what you love. Plus, it’ll improve your writing skills and help you make valuable friends and connections. Pretty good for a hobby, no?

6. UNLEASH YOUR INNER SHOPAHOLIC

Lots of ladies know that online shopping is a wonderful thing, especially when you do it with your gal pals. I’d use the heat as an excuse to hit up my usual haunts for summertime essentials –and since you have time to kill, don’t forget to check retailmenot.com to save a few bucks.

7. WHIP UP SOME DEVILISHLYDELICIOUS DESSERTS

No oven needed! From refreshing smoothies to mouthwatering pies and everything in between, there are countless recipes out there. I’d start with cookinglight.com for some healthy (and not so healthy) sweet treats that’ll help you beat the heat.

8. CATCH UP ON YOUR “ME” TIME

One thing to do when it’s hot outside is to hop in your air conditioned car and walk around a local museum or aquarium. It’ll help you stay cool and learn a few neat facts that you can brag about. After you’ve taken a peek at all you can handle, treat yourself to a fresh smoothie at the local café or a mani/pedi at the nail salon. Don’t hold back girl –you deserve it!

These are only a few of the coolest things to do (pun intended) when it’s hot outside. I won't pretend that I haven't escaped to the beach this week. . .the hubs and kiddos and I are on our way to South Padre Island, TX to lie on the beach and rest and relax for 8 glorious days! But if I were home, I would be taking advantage of any/all of these ideas.  Which ones will you try? Do you have cool-down methods of your own? Do tell!

Reasons I Run. . .

Sometimes, all you need is a little visual stimulation. Here's for those days. 

The following are reasons that I run. Every day. 

They may not make sense to everyone, but they make sense to me.

They make a difference in my ongoing decision to RUN. . .

To keep training for that elusive marathon idea.

I know it will happen someday. 

I'm not proud of my before pics. They are quite repulsing.

But someday, I want to look back on them fondly and think to myself,

"Whoa, you sure came a long way!"

 Is it totally vain and conceited that I want to be a "bikini-clad mom"?

Oh, well, that IS the case.  And I will get there. 

Unfortunately, it may not be this beach vacation, but the next one. . .

Oh, it's most certainly ON!

 I cannot count how many times I have lost the weight
only to have it come flooding back

because I was careless and didn't take care of my overall health.  

The changes that I'm making this time are for long-term results.

Running AND nutrition.  It's the only way this will work.

 You know I'm right.

 I'm a happier girl after my runs. 

That's putting it simply. 

The high I get from all the natural endorphins are way better 

than the temporary high of an energy drink. 

 A bunch of you friends can relate to starting something and not finishing.

My follow-through has always been a tad broken.

This goal with NOT be one of those. 

I run because I want to prove to myself and others that I can.

 Wouldn't this be fun?

So many of my friends are personal trainers. 

I have no intention of starting a business like they have. 

More than that, I want to be able to give advice to the people I care about most.

Advice that comes from trial and triumph. 

 I regret every day that I don't run.

Every. Single. One. 

I see it as a missed opportunity to add progress. 

 I'm so tired of clothes shopping and not finding anything to fit my body type. 

I used to love heading into those dressing rooms, arms full of clothes 

and swimsuits. I loved buying things that expressed my personality.

One of these days I hope to experience that again.

 All my fellow moms know exactly what I'm screaming here. 

26.2 miles of peace and quiet, 

rocking out to your own music,

basking in your own private thoughts without the 

constant interruption of little people demanding more and more of you. . .

Running is heaven on earth. 

The longer my runs, the longer I get to reside there.

I see glimpses of the me that I can become just by accomplishing this one goal in my life. 

Being proud of oneself is something that cannot have a price tag attached to it.

It's gold.  It's priceless.

Far too few times in life do we have self-defining moments.

Most of the time, we get lost in our days, 

our routines, our responsibilities.

Reaching your dreams brings you out of the ruts and into the spotlight,

even if only for a moment. 

I run for that moment.

Keep on, Keeping On Amigas!

And shed some insight into some of YOUR reasons for running: 

I'd love to hear them!

My Favorite Songs To Sweat To

Summer is in full swing, and if you're suffering from the heat wave that has been affecting so many regions, the thought of sweating through your workouts may be hard to bear. You can do a lot to stay cool in the summer heat (exercising in the shade, putting an ice pack in your sports bra or under your hat, and wearing moisture-wicking workout clothes), but you can only do so much to motivate yourself to get going. If you need help putting a pep in your step, start with your music. It makes such a difference in motivating you to get out the door and keeping your going!


The last few weeks in Oklahoma have been brutal. We're talking, 105 degrees at 8:30 p.m. as the sun is setting and I'm heading out for my daily run. I feel like I have massive boob sweat before I ever make it down the driveway. It's too much. If I didn't have my iPod stocked with loads of bumping tunes to motivate me, I'm not sure anything could keep me from falling to one, massive sweat heap on the pavement. 

There are so many great songs out right now that I'm having a hard time adding them to my own workout playlists fast enough. To make it easier for you, here are the sweet 16 songs I'm sweating to (and loving it) so far this summer. 

(Links go to amazon.com for mp3 purchases.)
Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo – Let's Go


David Guetta ft. Sia – Titanium (This is my jam! I listen to it on repeat during my runs.)


Ellie Goulding – Lights


Imagine Dragons – It's Time (only $0.25 on amazon.com!)


Japandroids – The House That Heaven Built


The Killers – Runaways


Linkin Park – Burn It Down


Maroon 5 – Payphone


Neon Trees – Everybody Talks (Everything on this album rocks.)


Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time


P!nk – Blow Me (One Last Kiss)


Pitbull – Back In Time


Rihanna – Where Have You Been


Train – Drive By


Usher - Scream


Walk The Moon – Anna Sun (currently a free download on amazon.com!)
 

What songs are you sweating to this summer?

Naked Running

I feel naked if I run without my ipod and iphone. I rely on Lady Gaga and Usher to push me through my first mile. The beats of Kanye and Jay Z help to quicken my stride as I get into the groove.The numbers obsessed part of me can't help but peek down at my Nike+ every five minutes to see my mile splits and distance.

But it hasn't always been this way. 

The first time I went for a "run" I was 19. GPS tracking hadn't been invented and iPods were a lawyer's kid's luxury. I was happy with my mixed CDs and a Discman. Eleven years later and these gadgets are as essential to a run as my legs themselves. Dependency? Maybe a little. 

However, there are days when I need my run to accomplish one thing: quiet the noise inside my head. This can't be done with "Poker Face" on repeat. 

Being more interested in distance rather than my organic movement along the roads of the Edmond, America suburbs makes my run feel tense and exhausting. For me, this adds to the noise inside my head. 

Work has been rough lately. By "work", of course, I am talking about my neverending job as a Stay-At-Home Mom. This 9-5 (HA!) demands more than I have to give some days. One day last week, I had reached my emotional threshold and needed to run. I cared nothing about how far or fast I went, I knew I just need to go. 

I spread a smear of peanut butter on a bread slice and chugged a cup of ice water before I headed out. 

I popped my ear buds in and hit the pavement with a half hour until sunset. As I picked up my feet I struggled with the heaviness of the first quarter mile. The dimness of the dinnertime sky coupled with the dropping temperatures of nightfall would normally have dissuaded me out of my sneakers and back onto the couch. But I was invigorated. After five minutes I had a "Forrest Gump" moment where, figuratively speaking, I felt like the braces broke off my legs and I was freed to really run. I felt good and strong. Mostly though, I felt free. 

I didn't expect this. After-work exercise rarely feels good and fun for the first ten minutes before the endorphins kick in. 

How could this have been? What did I do differently? 

I looked down at my wrist and noticed I never hit "start" on my ipod. I looked at the face of my phone and saw nothing. I never turned on my music. I hadn't even thought of it until that moment. 

I realized I didn't need Maroon5 to power me through the next mile. I couldn't have cared less about my pace. I was satisfied with the quiet. No pressure, no distraction, just my ponytail and me moving through the breeze. 

Lost in the warm peach glow of the Oklahoma sunset before me as I turned the corner toward home, I found the nakedness of no music or GPS to be liberating. It was a kind of Zen. 

"How was your run?" My husband asked as I walked through the door. 

"Good…" I answered. "Really good." 

My answer didn't faze him as he slaughtered zombies on xbox. I didn't expect it to. How could I adequately communicate the feeling of Zen anyway? 

I took off my earbuds and tucked my phone away. Maybe I'd bring them on my next run. Or maybe I'd be OK with the nakedness of just my ponytail and me, moving through the wind, quiet and free. 

7 Horrible Things I'd Rather Do than Work My Abs

We live in an abs-obsessed society. You can't walk by a newsstand or channel surf without being bombarded by huckster-esque pledges like, "Get a six pack!" or "Killer abs in 30 days or your money back!" Google "Get better abs" and you'll literally get 107 million results. Through no fault of my own, I live in Abs Nation. I also live in Butt Nation, as "Get a better butt!" mania also rages. But I'll keep this discussion above the belt.
I love many forms of fitness--swimming, running, basketball, driving a golf cart around the course, even strength training--except for training one muscle: my abs.

My abs are my nemesis. Biceps curls? Yes! Leg Lunges? Bring it on! Those are glamour muscles. I also like planking, which make my arms a bit toner and keep my pectorals looking, well, taunt? 
But even at my sexiest last summer (in my own opinion, as I had dropped down to 135 lbs), my abs were nowhere to be seen, despite my excruciating and considerable efforts to bring them into the light of day. There's no six pack in my past or future. Maybe working my abs helped shrink my belly. Maybe they helped me lose weight. They definitely strengthened my core, which is very important to my overall body health.


I still work my abs, albeit less frequently, but there's something about the distinct type of strain and pain on those last few crunches and other ab exercises that I find unbearable. So one goal of this hopefully therapeutic post is exploring a few ways to overcome aversion, even revulsion, to certain forms of fitness you know are good for you.


But a cornerstone of therapy is that you have to fully recognize the scope of the problem before you can reckon with it. So, I did some soul-searching and, in search of catharsis, came up with 7 Horrible Things I'd Rather Do than Work My Abs:


1. Go to engineering school: I majored in English for a reason: I wanted to be fluent in my native language, and that was the only unqualified success of my college career, except for the fact that I didn't quite graduate. My friend was an engineering major. All he did was study. I'd get an 88 on a breezy sociology exam; he'd get a 39 on an engineering exam, putting him in the 60^th percentile of his class. At my school, liberal arts majors coasted and got degrees. Math and Science majors suffered and got real educations and degrees. I didn't even know what calculus was until I asked a math professor I met a few weeks ago. But I'd rather suffer through four years (actually it would probably take me six) at the University of Oklahoma than work my abs.


2. Read Ulysses: I read a lesser-known James Joyce book in college, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. My fluency in English didn't help. The book was unintelligible. Even the Monarch Notes were hard to follow. I'm only glad it was fiction and that I never had to meet the protagonist. That would have been one torturous, insufferable dinner party. Still, nothing made me feel more ill-equipped for life or the workplace than my dismal failure to decipher a novel by "one of the greatest writers of all time." But I would read Joyce's most celebrated and convoluted classic,Ulysses, in a heartbeat if it could get me out of working my abs.


3. Brush the Harshest Kitty: Loyal readers may recall that my family has an issue with adopting stray animals.  This is a blessing and a curse, really. If it's roaming the streets, it will find us. A few times, some of those fostering failures turned out to be "kitties from hell". One find, in particular takes residents at my madre's house.  She has six toes on each foot and we have affectionately named her DIGITS, but what we should have named her was HARSH KITTY.  The Harsh Kitty hates anyone infringing on her personal space. She'll hiss, bite, swat at you with massive tiger claws, and make a god-awful gurgling noise from deep within her throat and threaten your very life if you come at her with a brush. I'd much prefer not ever do it, unless the only other alternative was working my abs.


4. Cleaning up "Harsh Kitty's" Trophy Collection:  The unvarnished truth is that the Harsh Kitty is a vicious, bloodthirsty, sociopathic serial killer. She devours and dismembers birds and mice, then deposits their severed heads, entrails and dismembered legs on my mom's doorstep. We aren't sure if she's offering these remains as a gift, or showing off, or saying, "If you brush me again, you're next." But being the undertaker for her gruesome, merciless crimes beats working my abs any day of the week.


5. Burn my collection of multi-colored flip flops:  I mostly couldn't care less about clothes, but my prized possession is my collection of flip flops every color of the rainbow.  I've bought out Old Navy time and time again! I have some with heels, some without, some with jewels, some with feathers. I adore flip flops.  If I'm not running or forced to attend a function that is "closed toe" only, you will find me sporting my favorite shoe accessory.  But I'd rather douse my whole treasure trove in lighter fluid and strike a match than work my abs.


6. Watch the auto-insurance commercials of every leading insurance company:  What's up with all the auto insurance ads? If a Martian came to Earth and watched television, especially sports, for 24 hours, he would think that saving 15 percent or more on car insurance is more important than going to school, getting married, having a job or any other endeavor on Earth. If auto insurers really wanted us to save on car insurance, they'd stop spending so much money on advertising and passing the cost on to consumers. Every auto insurance ad I see leaves me awash in frustration and annoyance, but compared to working my abs, it's like swimming in the Mediterranean off the Greek Isles in July.


7. Actually try to figure out which auto insurance to buy:  With so many competing claims and loaded corporate mathematical frameworks, trying to calculate which policy actually would save me 15 percent or more on car insurance would render this (almost) English major a quivering mass. But it would absolutely rock compared to working my abs. (For the record, I buy an all-in-one insurance policy through an agent I trust and call it a day.)


Now that I've probed the depths of my aversion, how can I possibly bring myself to work my abs, and gear up for other forms of fitness when I really, really don't feel like it?


1. I remember that, more often than not, motivation doesn't create action; action creates motivation. The aversion to starting to do something is usually stronger than actually doing it. How many times have you told yourself, "Hey, this isn't so bad after all"?


2. This English major draws on what she loves: the infinite power of words.My go to source for one- or two-liners that will get me off my booty can be found at Healthy Inspiration from SparkPeople. Today's nugget is from Lance Armstrong: "Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever."


3.Find an Incentive that Encourages You to "Pay the Price":  I've always been someone that needs constant motivation.  What happens when my motivation and drive fizzles? The answer for me is, "Nothing." Thank goodness that many people have an easier time losing weight than I did. "Unless you have a specific medical condition that hinders weight loss, at the end of the day, your ability to lose weight comes down to whether you're willing to pay the price; whether you've reached the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired of making the same old choices and excuses…. A successful weight-loss journey requires consistently paying the price by ditching previous habits and making healthy choices again and again in daily life... When we commit ourselves to paying the price, we're doing more than just improving our health and reaching for other goals… We're saying "Yes" to enthusiasm, performance, purpose, striving, integrity, character and life…"

Sooooo. . .my new personal fitness goal for the month of August will be a "CRUNCH FEST".  I understand, aside from the Plank-a-thon that I just completed, crunches and sit-ups are the key to getting this stomach in perfect beach shape is a million crunches. Tighten and tone. And repeat. A million crunches seems to be a bit overzealous, so I will round it to 50 sit-up/crunches per day for 31 days.  That's a total of 1550 crunches in August. Let the "CRUNCH FEST" begin!


Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go work my abs. Ulysses will just have to wait for another time.


What is your greatest source of overall motivation? What exercise or form of fitness do you dread most? What unpleasant things would you rather do? How do you get yourself to do it?

What My Kids Taught Me About Fitness

The answers to weight loss success aren’t in the bookstore. You won’t find them in the latest government research labs. Forget about talk radio, late night TV, or a magazine rack full of scantily clad, impossibly thin cover models.

You’ll uncover information and data there, for sure. You’ll find plenty of opinions, ideas and "proven techniques" too. But the REAL answers – the stuff you can use every day – can be found anytime at your local playground.

Everything you need to know about fitness and weight loss, you can learn from kids.

Have you ever watched a child completely engrossed in a project? They have the magical ability to be serious about what they’re doing without taking it too seriously. You can do the same with your weight loss. You can live every day with more focus, and every week with more motivation.

Here’s what every child knows that you may have forgotten. See if you can apply some of these lessons to your daily program:

1. Everything can be a game. Why slog through the same workout routines in boredom, when you can add a little fun? Make up rules, shoot for personal records, regain your competitive spirit.
2. Don’t walk when you can run. Every day is full of opportunities to increase your fitness. This rule is closely related to "don’t drive when you can walk."
3. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Once you hit your goal weight, chances are your eating habits won’t stick around long if you hated what you were eating. Healthy eating involves balance and moderation.
4. Laughter feels good. Kids seem to inherently know that laughter can ease blood pressure, help your brain function, give you energy, and help you reach your goals. Smiling and enjoying yourself can be serious help.
5. Playtime is important. We get so caught up in work, chores and a host of "have-to's" that we forget to take time for ourselves. Not only does relaxing and regrouping make life worthwhile, it has real health benefits. Most of all, it will help you stay consistent and motivated.
6. The world should be full of color—especially on your dinner plate! Splash it with as many colors as possible, paint it like a rainbow with food. It’s more fun to look at and chances are you’ll be eating a healthy, balanced meal.
7. It’s always more fun with friends around. Children tend to gravitate toward other children. It gives them spirit and makes them want to play all day. Working out with other people is almost like having your own little playgroup.
8. Adventures are found outside, not inside. Every kid knows that the good stuff is in the great outdoors—fresh air, wide open spaces, limitless possibilities. You can’t find those things cooped up in a tiny, stale gym. Open the door and start a new adventure every day.
9. It’s important to use your imagination. You can be Captain Fantastic or Stupendous Woman any time you want. Give yourself permission to believe in your own super powers and let your mind take you wherever it wants to go.
10. Anything is possible. No fear, no self-doubts, no negative self talk, no self-criticism, no worries, no destructive anxieties or thoughts of failure. To a child, he/she can do anything. And do you know what? They’re right.
11. You have your whole life ahead of you. Here’s your chance to do it right.

The answers to weight loss are probably about 3-4 feet tall, and may be closer than you think. When you act more like a kid, suddenly the world opens up. Living a healthy lifestyle becomes something you want to do every day. Start enjoying yourself again!

Work Out Like It's Your Job

For most of us at some point in time, work is a reality of life. I was a part of the working world for the last 13 years in some form or another until fate made it possible for me to stay home with my kiddos.  Whether you love your job or hate it, working for a living is something that you know you have to do, and probably don't have much trouble motivating yourself to show up to each day. Wake up, get ready, arrive on time, do a decent enough job to not get fired (maybe better!), rinse and repeat...day after day, week after week. As responsible adults, we make our careers a priority out of necessity. We work to make money, which helps us live the lives we desire. You can complain about it, think it's boring and wish you didn't have to do it, but ultimately, the rewards we get from working outweigh the "rewards" of not working (like sleeping in or having more free time).

So why do we treat other areas of our lives as so much less important? You can hate your job but still show up 40+ hours a week for decades. Even if you don't enjoy exercise, couldn't you muster enough motivation to spend 10 or 15 minutes a day on it? After all, the benefits of exercising—weight management, stress relief, stronger bones and muscles, a healthier heart, less depression, higher self-esteem, a sense of pride and accomplishment, a decreased risk for countless chronic and debilitating diseases—far outweigh the temporary "rewards" of skipping it (more couch time or a few extra minutes of sleep).

What would it look like if we all treated exercise like our jobs (or at least our second jobs)? Doing exactly that could help us make fitness part of our lives once and for all. 

Here are a few ways you can treat exercise like your job. View it the same way, and you'll make far fewer exercise excuses.

Make it a priority.
For most people, our jobs are our #1 priority. You spend more time at work that almost anywhere else, and your daily life revolves around your work schedule. If you exercised like it was your (second) job, you'd treat those gym appointments with as much importance as work. You'd make all the other things in your life work around your workout schedule. I know it can seem daunting, but think of all the many other commitments that you treat with respect in your life. Working out is just as important as many other hobbies and responsibilities because it keeps YOU in tip-top shape to be your best at everything else (including a better worker, partner, volunteer, parent, friend and so on). So next time your girlfriends want to plan drinks during your Wednesday night Spinning class, ask them to pick another day or time, or squeeze in a shorter workout and then go meet them. Only by making fitness a priority like you do your job will you ever be able to really stick with a workout regimen. Personally, if I prioritized working out as much as I prioritized meal planning or potty-training my rug rats, I would learn to view it in a whole new way. 

Show up on time. 
Most of us don't have trouble hitting the sack, setting the alarm, and getting out the door in time to beat rush hour and get to our posts on time. Why then are you chronically late for your personal training session or unable to wake up 30 minutes earlier to squeeze in a morning walk? The truth is that you are capable of showing up to things on time, but you aren't prioritizing your workouts like you do your job. If working out was your livelihood, you would not hit snooze or stay up too late. Think about that next time the early morning alarm sounds. If you treat exercise like your job, you may feel tired—maybe even unmotivated—but you'll get out of bed anyway and put your shoes to the pavement.  For me, making myself go to be on time is the key.  If I go to bed instead of stay up watching that late night Oprah Lifeclass, then I'd be a bit more rested and able to get up before my household. 

Dress appropriately. 
Most jobs have some kind of a dress code, whether strict uniforms or a certain level of business-appropriate attire. Because work is important to you, you adhere to those standards, purchasing enough work clothes for a variety of seasons and occasions. You don't have to spend a lot on workout clothes, but you should have something you can work out in: appropriate shoes for your activity, the right layers if you hope to walk or run in the winter, and any other gear that makes working out more comfortable and convenient, such as a gym bag and water bottle. Treat your workouts with as much respect as you do your job, and you'll never be at a loss for clothing or gear, which means you won't be able to make excuses about skipping it.

Try your best. 
I know plenty of people who just clock in, put in their hours, and leave when the clock strikes five. But I know a lot more people who try hard at work—and in many areas of their life. There's a lot of satisfaction that comes from a hard day's work, regardless of your job. You probably feel better at the end of each day when you know that you gave it all you could. Not only do you feel better, but your boss probably notices your work effort, too (and hopefully rewards you for it). Similarly, I see people in the gym who trudge through their workouts on autopilot without even an ounce of intensity. Yes, some exercise (even low-key) is better than none, but why not put a little more "oomph" behind your exercise sessions? Not only will your body benefit from a greater calorie burn and challenge, helping you get even fitter as a result, but maybe more importantly, YOU will feel proud of yourself. When I teach my boys new things, I remind them not to quit just because you get bored or it seems hard. I need to follow this same advice in my daily work-outs. We need to give ourselves work-outs that we can be proud of.

Climb the ladder. 
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? If you're career-oriented, then you probably have some goals in mind. You work hard, challenge yourself in new ways, and hope to climb the corporate ladder. Whether it's for prestige, self-satisfaction or simply more money, most of us hope to move up the corporate ladder. Your workouts should be no different. Regardless of your age or fitness level, you can always improve and take yourself to the next level of fitness. Have you been walking for years? Maybe it's time to graduate to jogging. Have you been lifting the same 5-pound dumbbells for 6 months? Then give yourself a promotion to the 8 pounders and see what you can really do!

Strive for work-life balance.
While most Americans struggle with this, it's something that we all want. If you follow a typical work schedule, you are at least taking a couple days off from work each weekend, which helps us better achieve the balance that we need in our lives. It can't always be work, work, work. And it can't always be work out, work out, work out. You need downtime, easier days, rest days, and a variety of workouts to help prevent boredom and burnout. Build rest, variety and downtime into your workout program just like you do (hopefully) into your work life. We all need to cut ourselves some slack sometimes!


One of the reasons I'm trying my hardest to make exercise a part of my daily life is because I treat it like it's my second job. It's a major priority for me—probably the second biggest priority in my life next being a stay-at-home-mom. There's almost nothing I do every single day other than keep up with the house and two toddlers and exercise, but at the same time, I'm learning to make it fun and give myself the balance (and downtime) that I need, which keeps me going strong.

So next time you find your workout motivation waning, or start making excuses to skip your exercise session, ask yourself how you'd respond to that hurdle if exercise was your job. Chances are, you'll clear it (and be glad you did).

Do you treat exercise with the importance that you do your job? Why or why not?