I am ALL over this routine thing this week.  In addition to getting into a daily routine, I’ve actually put together a weekly workout routine.  This is kind of a big deal (much like Ron Burgundy) because I never follow a routine with my workouts.  I usually just do what I feel like doing and switch between cardio and weights.

So, today I present to you, my new workout schedule:

• Monday: run/back/pushups
• Tuesday: run
• Wednesday: rest or run
• Thursday: full-boy weights class
• Friday: kickboxing/STRIKE class
• Saturday: abs/arms and run (if rested on Wed) or a class like Yoga
• Sunday: rest and church

Some notes:

• Seems like a lot of running, but, on Monday, I just plan to run to the gym to do lifting.  Running to the gym only takes about 15 minutes round-trip, so it’s not really a full run.
• My back and my abs are my weakest body parts.  So they’re always my top weight lifting priorities.

Do you have a workout schedule or do you just go with how you feel?

Happy Friday!  Hope you guys are having a great week!  Has it been HOT where you live?  It has been REALLY hot in Kansas City lately.  I still love it because I absolutely can’t stand nasty, cold, snowy winters.  I’ll take heat any day.

On to the fitness news!

• I’m super stoked to say that I think I’m finally back in the routine after the wedding/honeymoon shenanigans.  For the most part, anyway.  I’ve been working out most days of the week and cooking lots of meals at home.
• Speaking of working out most days, I’ve decided to take so much pressure off of working out SIX days every week.  I used to believe that I had to work out that many times per week to be in shape, but for many people, that’s just too much.  If I only work out four or five times per week, that’s okay.  Just make ‘em count.
• The only cardio I’ve been doing is running, so I’m switching it up today.  I’m taking a kickboxing class over lunch today for the first time in months!  I thought about taking spinning, but the thought of sitting for another hour while I’m already sitting at my desk all day didn’t seem appetizing.  So, kickboxing it is.  And they incorporate weighted gloves and bar moves into this class and I love the change of pace!
• WALKING!  I don’t generally walk for exercise, but I do think it’s probably the best pick-me-up and stress reliever there is.  Oh, and I think it’s a great date activity for G and me.    I’ve been trying to walk more every day.  It’s the ONLY thing I can do at the office to get my butt out of a chair all day.  {When, oh when, will my boss purchase a sit/stand desk at work?!}  I love it when G and I make time to go for a walk in the evenings – we usually have great conversation that isn’t distracted by various electronics or wine {like when we’re at dinner}.
• I was looking for some pictures of me in workout clothes this week for a guest post I’m thinking about writing for a blog and I couldn’t find ANY!  Not even from when I taught group exercise.  How sad!  Especially because its been a huge part of my life for so long.  I’ll have to have G take a picture of me on the way out the door for a run so I can have some sort of proof that I actually do work out.
• I have chosen a weight-lifting goal!  It’s below.  It’s something I used to be able to do very easily when I used to teach, but now I totally struggle with it.    Not cool!

Current Goal:   Bang out 3 sets of 10 full push-ups without wanting to die.    Continue to increase running speed/endurance.

What is your current fitness goal?  Do you like to go for a walk to de-stress or refresh?

It never fails.  Every single time I make it to the gym, I am always so happy to be there (okay 90% of the time – there are also those times where I hate every minute of it).  At one visit this week, I literally stopped for a second and looked around and thought, "I love being here … so why is it often a struggle to get here?!”  So silly, but so true.  Once I’m there, all is well.

• Almost every time I work out, I think, “Just getting your shoes on is the hardest part.”
• I did a leg workout this week for the first time in, oh, I don’t know, 6 months??  I love lifting weights for my legs because when I walk out of the gym, my legs are all shaky and I can barely walk, so I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot.  But, I usually try to talk a couple months away from them a couple times a year.  I feel like running shapes my legs the best – lifting weights keeps them strong.
• I took my running outside this week after taking a hiatus since before the wedding.  It’s been stifling hot in Kansas City this week, so it was a short run, but it felt great to get back into it.  I usually ease into outdoor running with quick 2-miler and just build time/mileage onto that.  Looking forward to enjoying outdoor runs for the rest of the summer into the fall!
• Surrounding yourself with like-minded health freaks is such a great motivator.  Whenever I walk into my gym, I am extremely motivated by the people at the gym.  Some people are crazy dedicated!  I wish I had half of that commitment.
• My eating has been less than stellar since we got back from the honeymoon.  In fact, I would venture to say that we ate BETTER on the honeymoon.  Yes.  Amazing.  I’ve just been lazy and there is no other excuse.  Well, that and the fact that we’re using up lots of restaurant gift cards that we got for our wedding.  There’s always next week!

Current Goal:  Make a meal and fitness plan for next week.

How did your workouts go this week?