February Fitness Update

Palm Coast

This was our view for the last week! I could get used to that!

On the spending tracking during vacation, I did pretty terrible. We didn’t really overspend, but I didn’t keep track, so I’ll have to go back and kind of estimate just so February and the rest of the year isn’t thrown off too much. On the eating front, it was a big bust too. Too many cocktails, too many snacks and not enough exercise. We did make it to the gym once, but I ended my run about half way through when a sweet older lady was quite perplexed as she tried both the elliptical and the bike but kept looking longingly at my treadmill. She practically glowed when I got off and told her that I was *done* with my workout 🙂 My good deed for the day.

As for the February workout goals. Here’s an update, half way through the month.

1. Track Calories (During vacation, I took a vacation from tracking, once back I am keeping track and doing well-at least I lost the weight I gained on vacation, only 2# but still it’s tough for me to lose weight)

2. Run 50 miles (hmm, going to have to really step this up! so far have only run 12.2 – YIKES – 37.8 to go!)

3. Push-ups (doing well keeping up with the app, even on vacation)

4. Lower weight to 145-147 (see 1. not good! I am bringing it back down, actually I’d be happy if I can just see anything in the 140s)

There you have it, my February update.

On a side note, I was watching Jillian Michaels on a Bravo Talk Show, and she said she didn’t like Hot Yoga. She said it’s not good to exercise in such extreme heat, it’s better to warm your body from the inside. That kind of makes me feel better for letting those last few classes expire. I’m back to running, weight training, Zumba, Ballet Core and any fun classes that show up. I want to try WERQ, which I guess is like Zumba, but with more popular songs.

Hot Yoga = Bad Mood

Hot Yoga was something I used to look forward to, and this month it seems to be my nemesis. I have 8 classes to use before the end of the year, exactly 20 days, or they expire, no value, nada. We will be traveling/gone 5 days. B’s parents/friends will be in town for 4 days. One day is a holiday. So of the next 20 days, I will have the opportunity on 10 days. This is my personal goal for December to not let those darn classes go unused.

I have heard several people at the Studio talk about how they like to go every day. Well here’s a news flash, “I don’t like to go every darn day.” I like to go once a week. Then I got off schedule, got sick, was doing other things and my classes accumulated and now I’m stuck with 8 classes, ugh!

At the same time I have to keep up with my running schedule in training for my 25K in May. And I also volunteered to train my two friends once a week, which although only an hour, takes a bit of time and mental energy too. Whew! I just needed a little vent session and to put this goal down as affirmation that I will DO THIS! Maybe if I accomplish this goal, Hot Yoga = Good Mood?

November Expense Tracking FAIL

Another month, another spend tracking fail. I started doing so well, I tracked everything I spent for the first half of the month. Then B started paying for some things, groceries, dinners out, random stuff and I realized what’s the point of my tracking if I don’t track B’s? Then I just sort of gave up.

Going to try again in December with B on board. Maybe by January, I’ll get it right.

The exercise and diet was also a bust. I got sick and didn’t feel well, stupid winter colds. So I just let myself rest and take a break. I don’t think I’m too far off track, but most likely will not make my weight loss goal this month.

I’m keeping my goals for the end of the year. I also have 9 Hot Yoga classes to finish before the end of the year, they are no longer doing roll-over when you purchase a new package and this annoys me to no end. Enough that once I finish this package I will not return there. They used to be so nice and accommodating. I vow to use all classes, then good-bye Hot Yoga, it’s been a nice ride. On to BalletCore and Zumba!

Hot Yoga

*Disclaimer* This post has nothing to do with Finance/Investing.

Last night I went to a hot yoga class. I have a love/hate relationship with this class. In fact I have a love/hate relationship with most exercise in general. I love how I feel when I’m done with a workout or class, and sometimes even during the exercise itself, I find myself sincerely in the moment, enjoying the sweat and physical exertion, the effort, feeling connected to my body, but I have a difficult time making exercise a part of my routine.

I have gotten off track this year, I have gotten comfortable in married life, eaten more than my body requires to be in my best shape and am suffering the consequences of an extra 10 vanity pounds. For a female in her 30s this is a big deal.  I am committed to lose these 10 lbs. I am going to accomplish this goal by exercising a minimum of 1000 minutes/week (this will be mostly running and once a week Hot Yoga) and I am going to carefully control my portions (I can’t do deprivation, I just rebel and crave everything I’m trying to avoid).

This week I am doing well I have already done 155 minutes of exercise, the 80 minute hot yoga last night helped bump up that total. I usually just do a run/walk for 30-45 minutes.

The yoga class was also good for my mind, as I was able to concentrate on my breath and feel at peace with my body. The instructor’s voice was so calming and the things she said were just what I needed for clarity. She said that our bodies are the greatest gift we will ever own. It made me also think that our bodies are really the only thing that we ever truly own, so we should honor our bodies and take care of them better than anything else. Therefore I am committing to yoga 1-2x per week.

Don’t wait to experience joy and happiness

I am a firm believer that delayed gratification is sweeter. Have you all heard of the marshmellow test?  Yet, I also believe that you should experience joy and happiness in your everyday life.  I’m not saying that you should skip the mortgage payment for a shopping trip at the mall, no not that at all. What I’m saying is that sometimes we (those seeking FI) often postpone things or experiences with the idea that we will have plenty of time in the future to do those things, right now I’ll just keep my head down, work my little fingers off, eat ramen and enjoy life later. That’s all well and good (I like ramen once in a while too) , but what about today, this week, aren’t you going to get a little burned out?

As we are on this path to FI, I am going to squeeze some joy into my day. I am finding more things that bring me joy and I’m doing them, easy at that. Not all of these things / experiences are free, but I’m worth a little splurge on this road of saving, it’s part of my style 😉

Here is a list of things that I enjoy, and here’s my plan to incorporate them into my life.

1. Enjoy nature, take walks, visit botanical gardens. I love to look at gardens, but when it comes to weeding and taking care of them, no thank you, I’ll leave that to the professionals. How do I plan to incorporate this into my life, well, I plan to take at least one outdoor walk each week, I know that I should do more, but I know I can commit to at least one, and everything else will be a bonus. I have a few trails I enjoy, and I might scope out some new ones. Also we are going to be doing a little traveling later this summer, and I am putting the butchart botanical gardens on the itinerary.

2. Hot Yoga once every week or two. Now this is a pricey(to me) class, between $10-$20 a class depending how many sessions you purchase. But when I go, I feel a bit of sweaty luxury, I tune into my body and feel calm and serenity. I also am going to do a few yoga moves each night before bed. Just a little peaceful time to unwind and be grateful for my day. Maybe as I get more attune to the flow of poses, I will go down to just a class a month, or I will just do yoga on my own. Who couldn’t use a little more serenity in their life? However this is a barefoot class and I’ve been noticing all the well kept ladies with their pretty toes, which leads me to my next treat….this could very well spiral out of control….

3. Pedicures – I’m not talking the fancy smancy $60-$100 “spa experience.” I’m talking the cheap one in the strip mall for $20 that includes a bubbly foot soak and a quick hot rock leg rub down. The last time I had a pedicure was probably two years ago and I do miss this little treat. I’ve been thinking about treating myself to this little luxury for a few weeks now, and since it is quickly becoming sandal weather. I will put this on my luxury treat list for between 2-4 times per year.

Do you think I am being too frivolous with my indulgences? We’ll see how this affects my savings, will I still be able to stay on track with all my goals. Will these treats cause me to stray from saving in other ways? Or will these little pick-me-ups be just the small treats I need to stay the course? Time will tell, and I’ll report back.