be inspired

Today while I was floating swimming in the pool ... as part of the training for our triathlon in August ... I was again convinced that the reason I am out floating swimming over my lunch hour instead of sleeping at my desk, is because I have a goal.

Charlie and I have pledged to each other that we'll be participating in this triathlon, so now we've got to get ourselves prepared. I have to be able to swim 500M in the ocean, ride my bicycle 15K and then, run 5K.

Hopefully, without passing out cold or being carted off in an ambulance.

When I came home from work tonight and was checking out the comments to my last post, I noticed that a lot of people WANT to get in shape. They want to lead a healthier lifestyle, but they don't have the motivation to get there. What I believe is that once you get in to an exercise routine that you enjoy, you are more likely to stick with it - and you are more likely to begin making changes to promote healthy living to other aspects of your life.

I certainly didn't have the motivation to do anything until I signed up for something and now I'm stuck committed. But the simple fact is, I'm actually enjoying myself because it's becoming more fun (despite my strained calf muscle that I still can hardly walk on - minor detail) and all that talk about endorphins is TRUE!!

Which is why I can be up at 1:30 in the morning updating my blog - after working all day and knowing that I'll be up again in four hours with a hungry baby and two hours after that with three three-year-olds.

Shazam!! I've got ENERGY!!

(or maybe I'm an insomniac?)

I was telling Charlie - and this probably sounds totally cheesy, but what the heck, I'll throw it out there anyway - wouldn't it be cool to put out a challenge that would encourage people that want to start exercising to do it. There are exercise teams all over the world that folks could join, but perhaps you live in an area where you don't have access to one ... or perhaps the time commitment is too great.

So, let's just say ... that by the end of August, you have to be able to do something that you can't physically do, right now.

Maybe it's walk a mile or run 10K. Maybe it's swim for 15 minutes or ride a stationary bicycle for 30 minutes. Maybe it's do 100 sit ups or jump rope 500 times. Or, maybe it's run up a flight of stairs without needing to lay down and rest.

Whatever it is, it's something that you are challenging yourself to do. And it is something that you can do, given your lifestyle, time limitations, and geographic location. Along the way, I'll do my best to encourage you. For those that actually jump on board and do this >> I'll have prizes. Like a CD of my favorite work-out music. Look out!! Here comes the Hot Stepper!!

Now, before you say you can't do something ... watch this video. (Thanks Deana!)

Then, watch this one.

When I look at Henry and see how rapidly he is doing new things, I know it is in large part because he is watching his siblings and he is inspired by what they can do. My baby definitely isn't going to let the fact that he can't yet walk - hold him back from climbing to the top of a 6-foot slide even as his mother is yelling and hobbling out the door to try and catch him before he topples over the side.


You can do anything you want to do.

You just have to make up your mind.


So, what are you going to do?