"I'm just not feeling it"

“I’m just not feeling it. “

This is all I can say when I hear others talk about that so called “high” you get when exercising. Not so sure I know what they mean. The only feeling I get on the elliptical at 5:30 in the morning is how good my pillow would feel.

Web MD states “Through the blood, sweat, and tears, many runners report that their favorite trick -- and part of the reason they wake morning after morning to pound the pavement -- is what is referred to as runner's high.” Ok, so maybe you would not call what I am doing as “pounding the pavement or running” but it is still exercise. I know it is still early in this journey but I am one that prefers instant gratification. It sure would be nice to at least feel something besides dizziness as a result of my lack of oxygen! ;)
I have been keeping track of my steps each day and some days are certainly better than others. My goal of course is the 10,000 steps, but since I know this does not always happen I try to get at least 500-1,000 steps more than I did the previous day. On average I do generally hit 7,000 or more each day.

Another thing I have started to do is “Burst Exercising”.  This is exercising in short bursts, also known as high-intensity interval training or HIIT, it alternates short periods of fast intense exercise with longer periods of slower and less intense exercise. Many athletes like burst training because it burns fat efficiently, increases endurance and strength, and reduces your exercise time. Burst training also stimulates the production of human growth hormone. The human growth hormone reduces the effects of aging, builds new muscle and bone, helps you sleep better, and increases your energy levels and metabolism.

Here is how it works. First thing I do is get my stopwatch ready on my phone; then I warm up a bit and hit the start button on the stopwatch; when you get to 20 seconds you go as fast as you can until it hits 40 seconds. At 40 seconds you go slowly until it reaches 1 minute. At one minute you go again as fast as you can for other 20 seconds; then slow for 20 seconds and continue alternating every 20 seconds of slow work time doing this for 6 minutes. I did not think this would really do much, but let me tell you, it is not as easy as it sounds. It certainly can cause you to work up a sweat.
​
Truth be told…this journey has not been easy so far. Some days are certainly better than others. I am beginning to realize this is a battle of the mind more than it is about making physical changes. My mind definitely has the power to make it a good day or a bad one. Since being on this journey I do know gaining confidence and power over my thinking is something that cannot be accomplished overnight. So as they say onward and upward (well in losing weight I am going with downward).

 
 
 

---