I forgot.
I forgot how good it feels to break a sweat with a friend (or sister or boyfriend).
I forgot how amazing it feels to complete even two miles of running.
I forgot how much fitness relieves my anxiety issues and boosts my mood.
I forgot how sore I could get after just one weight training session. I forgot how good it hurts.
I forgot how refreshing it is to step out into the cold winter air after a tough workout.
After going through a bit of a workout rut, I forgot that I actually love to sweat and pump iron. I forgot the feeling of accomplishment I get when logging miles into DailyMile.
I forgot how much of an impact accountability makes.
I have joined not one, but two different fitness challenges this past month. The first one I joined was Elf for Health with Lindsay and Ella. There is a different challenge each day and you also get an accountability buddy for each two week period.
The second challenge I am participating in is the Move Happy Challenge with Heather at Better with Veggies. I am a HUGE fan of this one since the challenge is simple: move three times a week in a way you enjoy. Hallelujah! Move Happy!
Both of these challenges have encouraged me to get some actual workouts in (instead of calling all of my Neat Fitness my workouts). When I was back in Nebraska for Thanksgiving, I did workouts at my dad’s house, went to the gym with my sister, and worked out with a friend. I think that might have been more intentional workouts than the two previous weeks combined.
For the sake of accountability, here are some of my fitness goals this month:
- Get back into running. Once a week at least.
- Workout at my gym once a week.
- Complete a total of three workouts each week and log them on DailyMile.
I also forgot how attractive it is to see Dave workout. And drink protein shakes. You see Dave told one of his friends he was going to try to lose weight. He tells me this all the time, but it seems like actually telling this friend his plan gave him the kick in the pants he needed to stick to his goals (accountability!!). I actually got him to drink his first green monster smoothie.
Don’t worry, I have the recipe for you all.
The Green Monster
[See nutrition information for The Green Monster here.]
I also might have forgotten to tell you all that I am studying to take the NASM personal training exam in March. Sure it’s on both my Lifehack and Creation Based Health profile, and on my About page, but I don’t feel like those venues actually make me feel accountable since I can just erase that small part should it fall through. Writing it in a post is a little different. Especially when the post title has “NASM” in it.
I got the books in October. I read the first chapter in November and have not gotten any further. *sigh* It’s tough to do a self-study program!
At work I had only told a couple of people that I was planning on getting NASM certified. You know, so I wouldn’t be held accountable.
Then I happened to tell someone who stopped in the cafe that I had considered a program my gym offers for personal training. Little did I know that he would tell the guys who run the program. The next day I had two separate people talk to me about how my NASM studying was going. I even found out about an 8 week on-the-job training that I could still do at my gym which sounds pretty amazing.
Okay, okay. I will study now!
For accountability purposes, here is my plan for study:
Today – Dec 15: Chapter 2: Basic Exercise Science
Dec 16 – Dec 22: Chapter 3: The Cardiorespiratory System + Chapter 4: Exercise Metabolism and Bioenergetics
Dec 23 – Dec 28: Chapter 5: Human Movement Science
Dec 29 – Jan 5: Chapter 6: Fitness Assessment
Jan 6 – Jan 12: Chapter 7: Flexibility Training Concepts + Chapter 8: Cardiorespiraroty Fitness Training
Jan 13 – Jan 19: Chapter 9: Core Training Concepts + Chapter 10: Balance Training Concepts
Jan 20 – Jan 26: Chapter 11: Plyometric (Reactive) Training Concepts + Chapter 12: Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training
Jan 27 – Feb 2: Chapter 13: Resistance Training Concepts + Chapter 14: OPT Model
Feb 3 – Feb 9: Chapter 15: Introduction to Exercise Modalities + Chapter 16: Chronic Health Conditions and Physical or Functional Limitations
Feb 10 – Feb 16: Chapter 17: Nutrition + Chapter 18: Supplementations (excited for this week!!)
Feb 17 – Feb 23: Chapter 19: Lifestyle Modification and Behavioral Coaching + Chapter 20: Developing a Successful Personal Training Business
Feb 24 – March 2: Sign up for test + Take online practice test; See what areas need to be reviewed
March: Review, take online practice test again and repeat as necessary until the test date!
Maybe I could even check in each week with what I am learning, what do you think?
Random note: I thought this was going to be a quick post. It took 3 hours. Have a great weekend, friends!
Tell me…
How do you stay accountable?
Have you ever done a self-study program? How did you motivate yourself to sit down and study?
Linking up to:
Fitness Friday with Katie at Talk Less, Say More
Fitness Friday with Jill at Fitness, Health and Happiness
Strange But Good with Laura at Sprint to the Table
The Great St Patrick’s Day Link-Up with Davida at The Healthy Maven
Thanks so much for sharing your goals! It can be a daunting prospect with people know what you intend to do!! I am studying to the take the NASM soon too!
Well maybe we can motivate each other to study! When do you have to take your test?
I actually took it today! Passed!! I only signed up for it right before Thanksgiving, so you should be totally fine if you’re not taking it until March.
Ahh congratulations!! That’s so awesome! 🙂 I just need to start studying! Gah!
shoot me an e-mail – happy to help in any way!!
I’m trying to decide on 2 programs as a goal for next year. One for nutrition and one to be a yoga instructor. Mind if I ask why you chose NASM?
I love love green monsters!
I originally purchased the study material for ACSM, but then I got a job at a gym and found out they only accept NASM. So now I have both study materials haha.
I’m pretty sure there is no such thing as a quick post. Not when I get going. Ha.
I love how working out makes me feel. I started to really decrease my workouts at the end of September and in early October while I was waiting for my new gym to open and I saw a huge change in my mood, my confidence, my sleep, my stress levels. Now that I’m back at it, I feel 130% better. Exercise for the win.
haha seriously every single time I ever try for a quick post. Nope. 2 hours minimum haha. I don’t get bloggers who crank them out in an hour!!
Yes, seriously exercise makes me feel amazing! Just did a 30 minute core class and I feel like a million bucks! Glad you’re back at the gym and feeling good! 🙂
Blogging is a HUGE factor in keeping me accountable. There’s something about saying (or writing) a goal out-load that makes it more real and powerful.
Your biceps are looking fierce!
Agreed! And thank you! It means a lot getting a muscle compliment from you!! <3 <3
Omg, self-study programs are the HARDEST for me! That’s actually what I did to get my certification in CAT scan. I went to x-ray school and took the boards for that right after graduating, but then, when I got the opportunity to switch departments at the hospital, I had to study for a whole NEW exam! I ordered all the materials and when I received the packet with eight different study modules and practice tests, I set to work immediately. I did one module, tested…and then completely forgot about it for a YEAR!! I know, right? Once I picked it back up, I knew I had to have a system, so I went ahead and signed up for the board exam so that gave me a deadline. That helped a lot, but it was still hard to force myself to sit still and study when I could think of about 293865 other things I’d rather have been doing! All I can say is at least it’s over now! 😀
Oh wow. Well, at least I know I have to take it by a certain date, but you’re right! I need to schedule the exam! Thanks for the advice and empathy, friend. 🙂
Hope your exam went well! Thanks for linking up your yummy smoothie recipe today!
Thanks so much, Deborah! It went great..I passed! 🙂
Yay! So glad you are finding yourself again within your workouts, doesn’t that feel so good!!! Thanks for linking up this delicious recipe, I am loving smoothies and shakes right now, and how perfect for st pattys day! Thanks for sharing lady 🙂
Yes a perfect healthy alternative to those shamrock shakes or green beer! Or a good shake to drink the next day..ha!
Thanks for hosting! <3 <3
Wow! You are one busy lady! I LOVE green shakes, juices, etc. As a matter of fact I found an excellent SPINACH margarita recipe for St. Patrick’s Day. How’s THAT for dedication to my veggies? Good luck to you on studying for your exam. Thanks for sharing your shake recipe at the Inspire Me Mondays Link-Up. See you around!
Spinach margaritas?! That is an amazing idea..may just have to try that!