How important is a routine?

Do you have a routine? And how important is that routine to you?

I’ve been pondering the thought of my daily routine because I’m still trying to fight getting back into my old routine. There are several good things about routines like knowing exactly what what you’re going to do every day. But routines can lead to life being bland or too boring.

I like knowing that on certain days, I’m going to do a certain workout. I like not having to worry about changing that structure. I sometimes like knowing on certain nights we are going to eat certain meals because that is what we are use to do. (Every monrning we eat the same thing and every night of the week is pretty much planned out. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are pretty much the same. That’s why taking pictures of my food wouldn’t be interesting to you.)

I don’t like how routines can put me in a rut. There are times, like now, that I’m longing for change and a little bit of spontaneity. I sometimes find myself wanting to break a routine and try something new. But when I feel like this, I’m at a loss at what to do because I’ve settled into a routine.

That’s where I am now…

I’m finding it hard to develop a new routine.

I have bigger goals and dreams that I need to achieve and I need to take the steps to get there, but I’m finding it hard to step out of an old routine and get into a new routine!

I couldn’t come this far in my lifestyle change without a routine so I know it’s important to develop a routine. I need to the structured schedule to stay on track and focused. I know that was a huge part of my weight loss success.

Do you have a routine? How important is a routine for you? Do you find it hard to break out from the routine?

The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series comes to …

The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series comes to Beaumont

Remember in February when I did The Biggest Loser Run Walk in Mobile, AL? We ended up doing that race because the Beaumont date was moved. But guess what? The series is coming to my town on May 3rd and there’s still chance for you to come! It really bums me out that we can’t do the Beaumont event because we’re in China, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun! Use the code WBF25 for 25% off your entry! I know it’s a little late on the timeline, but this is definitely an event you don’t want to…

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Happy Friday and a good workout!

Happy Friday and a good workout!

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope this week has been kind to you because it’s been a pretty good week for me.  I’m feeling a little off my game because there has been no running and definitely no running in my weekend plans.  It’s just kind of odd for me since it’s something I’ve been doing a lot of for the past 8 months.  I’m taking the self-imposed zero week because I really just think I needed it.  I’ve run 5 marathons and several half marathons this year already.  My medal rack is overloaded, but I wouldn’t have it any other…

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What I studied, how I worked out and …

What I studied, how I worked out and what I ate

All this traveling has gotten me off my routine. We’re getting so close to China and I realize we’re prepared but not prepared. I’ve been training for the The Great Wall of China Marathon but the weather is getting a little hotter and it’s starting to affect my running. It’s that time again. So when I need a break from the running, I practice my Mandarin Chinese. Let me tell you folks, it’s not easy learning this stuff. It’s hard work! I just need to know enough to get by and to make some notecards. This week has been really…

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My Workout Watches

My Workout Watches

If you didn’t know, I’m obsessed with watches so it’s only natural that it translates into my workouts too. I do pick out my watches before I get dressed in the morning, but for my workout it, it’s a little different.  I’m a huge numbers gal.  I want to know what’s going every minute of my workout.  If I don’t have it I feel lost.  I wish I was more zen, but I’m not. When I’m not running I use the Polar FT40!  This is probably the best heart rate monitor I’ve had.  I used many but this one satisfied…

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Playing catch up during a stressful week

Playing catch up during a stressful week

Been wondering where I disappeared to this week? I could tell you a lot of different things, but I’ll tell you the truth. I’ve just been tired and stressed about some life things going on. I’ve literally have just been working out, teaching my cycle classes and working my butt off. I wish blogging was my full time job and paid all the bills, but it doesn’t. Sometimes the blog gets put on the back burner when life gets in the way. So here are just a few things I’ve been up to this week: This week everyone seemed to…

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I’m battling the insecurity

I’m battling the insecurity

I like to think I’m ok with it, but I know I’m not.  I haven’t been bashing my body image but I’ve been more conscious of it lately.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of town lately and really settled into my usual pattern, but I’ve been noticing. I talk about my legs way too much.  I even mentioned it last week in a blog post. I am self conscious about my thighs.  Funny thing is, it used to be my arms but now it’s my thighs. You will see the evolution of the shorts in this post.  Maybe I…

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Random photos from the weekend

Random photos from the weekend

I meant to post this on Sunday but I was lazy! I didn’t do much on Sunday but go to the grocer and watch Willie bake. Oh, I also caught up on Pretty Little Liars! That show is CRAZY! On Friday, I got my hair done. Willie told me no running so this was the opportunity for me to get it done without having to worry about sweating it out. Verdict: My hair survived a 5 mile walk, a 55 min weight class but the 3 mile run yesterday did it in! And what was still manageable was gone after…

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HELP! I need to lose weight.

HELP! I need to lose weight.

Every time Willie and I end up in the media, the Facebook and e-mail messages start rolling in with people saying the same thing.  “HELP! I need to lose weight.  Please tell me what to do.” I try to read the messages but honestly it’s just a lot of messages saying the same thing.  Reading the messages makes me feel helpless and at a loss for words because I don’t really know what to say.  Correction:  I know what to say but I know that’s not what you want to hear. I am not an expert on weight loss.  I’m…

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Interesting read about calories and strength training

Interesting read about calories and strength training

When we started the weight loss journey it was all about calories.  We counted those suckers like we counted pennies out at the register.  We used Lose It! to help track our calorie intake.  In the beginning we had a lot of calories to eat, but as the weight came off the calories we were allowed inched down.  I remember the day my calories reached 1300.  I remember struggling during that time because working out as much as I did and just eating 1300 calories wasn’t working. My friend Aimee posted a link from Sophieologie about 1200 calories and I…

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Motivation Monday to get back on track

Motivation Monday to get back on track

It’s Monday and all the blogs I read do motivation Monday. I don’t really do that because everyone else is doing it. Today, I needed a little motivation. I’ve been off track. I haven’t felt like myself and I know I haven’t been holding myself accountable. I’ve been stuck in a rut because I’ve been resting for the marathon and then I ran another marathon two weeks later. It’s really left me feeling weird because I’ve been in a constant taper. My working out was limited…and I felt the need to carbo load. In New Orelans all I ate the…

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