You mean to tell me; you can WEAR Active Wear and actually be active?

Wow. Who knew?

I’ve been absent, family. If you’re on the Lazy and Hungry Insta or Facebook page you’ll know I’ve been travelling – I still LOVE you!

If you’ve been keeping up with the happenings of L&H (or if you just had a spare moment and looked at the previous postings here), you’ll know that I periodically tell you all how much I’m looking forward to revamping and kick-starting my exercise routine. Usually there’s some accompanying talk of healthy eating, less alcohol, that bullshit…

(mmmmmmm… fairy breaddddddd)

But yes! Despite how regularly I write about “starting again” and “getting back into it”, this time I really have set myself a challenge. I’m even giving it a hashtag – for authenticity purposes of course (*cue over-exaggerated eye roll) – #onehundredactivedays. Cute eh? Basically I plan on hitting a 100-day-streak of days where I complete at least 30 minutes of physical activity. It might not sound like much, but I’m Woman enough to admit that I am a fan of the almighty Couch Day, accompanied by Netflix and Chill. Yes, I mean actual chill – don’t be gross.

I was recently quite overwhelmed and inspired by a video that I saw floating around on Facebook, that was a woman’s journey from obesity and depression to what she called a new life. This woman may have been bigger than me, but I wouldn’t even know how to compare her motivation and strength to mine at the moment. I think, the main thing that I related to was that she wanted a change and she knew she would have to work for it.

My 2017 started in Berlin. I’ll touch on that in further posts. When I got home, I came back to no job, no car, and I brought a bit of extra weight with me – and that’s not just the shopping. Prior to leaving on my Euro-trip I was “lucky” enough to quit my job and write my car off, not only in the same day, in the same HOUR. Bad luck Keira. So, coming home felt a little off, and after a few “poor-me” days, or more kindly known as jet lag, I knew that I had to bust my ass and make some plans. Aside from multiple job applications, car hunting, car purchasing, I went to the gym. Oh my gosh – Girl felt GOOOOOOOD.

So I went again the next day, and the next, and aside from being a little surprised that I didn’t already have visible abs, I felt happy.

I honestly do love the gym! I love the exercise, the people, and all the feels post-lift. When you’ve been out of it for long enough you lose your form, you can’t hit your PB’s, you get puffed climbing stairs, and it can be really disheartening to go back and start from the bottom again. My PT that I simultaneously hate and adore actually called me out on the gym floor this week. I walk in and hear “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU KNOW THE SHOPPING IS DONE DOWNSTAIRS RIGHT?” Thanks Waz.

Prick.

Aside from this charming but loveable encounter, I did some cardio, a stretch and some core work. Thus the 100-day idea became a thing. It’s day 5 today. I struggled on account of the heat – the pool called me, I did some laps, bragged to my friends and my mother who were working while I got my inner-mermaid on. It was good. I’ll call it my Active rest – slightly less than I have been doing but still physical activity.

Now yes, I want to highlight an important point. I know about Rest and Recovery. Aforementioned PT kicks my not-so-little butt every time I hurt myself or pass out at the gym – again, we can talk about that later. But for this challenge to work I need to be smart, and I will pledge to engage in active rest!

Active Rest is basically participating in light exercising such as walking, swimming, cycling, that will keep your body moving and actually stimulate the recovery process. Plus you’re not putting any additional stress or strain on your body that could potentially cause injury.

I don’t want this to go on forever, and I’m definitely not a PT so I’m not going to give you unsought advice, but I’ll include 2 articles that I really enjoyed that have helped me in my decisions to complete my 100-day challenge.

 

1: Active Recovery Workout Ideas by BuiltLean

http://www.builtlean.com/2013/01/21/active-recovery-workout-ideas/

 

2: Active Rest VS Inactive Rest by Women’s Health and Fitness

http://www.womenshealthandfitness.com.au/fitness/workouts/1028-active-rest-vs-inactive-rest

More than anything I just want to prove to myself, and those around me that I can do it. I can commit to something and I can make the changes I need to make. I don’t want to be one of those people who whinges about their life despite not being willing to do anything to change it. Life is too short.

Hopefully I can write to you all in 95 days time and say that I’ve stuck to it. I have faith. Mostly… I’ve kind of got my fingers crossed that it eventually becomes a habit, and given my previous gym experience and participations in challenges, I’m pretty sure it will. Whether it takes 21 days, 66 days, or I just, you know, die – we will find out.

Here’s one last little add-on about forming new habits. I promise I didn’t just pull the number 66 out of thin air. Pretty interesting… Maybe not. Click it anyway!

http://examinedexistence.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-something-to-become-a-habit/

 

Laters fam,

K x