Inspiration, Inspiration....

We've had some beautiful sunny days here in the Bay Area... I hope you have had some time to get out and enjoy. If you are looking for some new inspiration to get your booty moving, her is a fun list of 10 reasons why I think you should get a move on (in case you didn't have enough!):

1. Summer is just around the corner - bring on the swimwear!
2. It's almost time to put away all the black clothes and bring out those spring colors... yikes!
3. The rainy, gray, weather that has kept you curled up on the couch and feeling a little yucky... is going away! Get out there and soak up your Vitamin D.
4. Spend some quality time with your family - for free! Find a playground near you and swing on the swings.
5. Meet some new friends who have are like-minded... find a new fitness buddy or have some time to gossip with the girls while you walk the lake.
6. Get a caffeine free energy boost - It only takes 12 minutes for your body to release all those good feeling endorphins and send your energy sky high.
7. Exercise helps boost self esteem - without surgery or new clothes!
8. If your feeling great, you're going to have better sex and a happy partner...
9. Do we need any more reasons?
10. My wedding is less than 6 months away and we need to be looking fabulous to celebrate!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend... I think we are all feeling like we are ready for a vacation and some of us don't have that wonderful thing called a Spring Break. So, lets make the best of it and enjoy the moments we have with each other.

Happy Exercising!

Embrace the Time Change

I don't know about you but I have a hard time enjoying daylight savings in the spring... that lost hour in the morning seems to really affect me! However, is it not fabulous to have extra hours of daylight in the evening?! I love driving home from work in the sun rather than bundled up in my jacket and scarf. This also means we are closer to summer - and I am definitely ready for some warmer weather. In the mean time, I hope you all take some time to enjoy the evening light and take advantage of a longer day and more time to fit in exercise. A walk after work or after dinner is always a great way to end the evening.

I wanted to share a comment my Aunt left me. I love her suggestion for keeping track of steps on a daily calendar and setting goals for the week. I hope it inspires you to set a small goal for yourself, or at least take that extra evening walk. Enjoy!

After ankle surgery last fall I have been able to slowly resume my walking program. I wear a pedometer everyday with the minimum goal of taking 10,000 steps (about 5 miles) per day and the ideal goal of taking 12,000 steps per day. I track my steps on a daily calendar, add the number of steps at the end of the week and set a goal for the upcoming week. My current average is about 3-5 miles per day and this week I have already walked 19 miles. My "dream" goal is 30 -35 miles per week and a 20 pound weight loss by August 29, 2009!!