Where Boot Camp Ends, Something Else Begins

Hi friends! So I write to you having completed a full month of boot camp! Woo hoo! While I cannot say my attendance was 100% (more like 75%), as I had originally hoped, I definitely reached my primary goal, which was to get in enough physical shape to begin a workout regimen of my own. Before boot camp, I feared doing more than taking a brisk walk with my dog, Teddy. Now, I am motivated to get back to the elliptical at the gym, to get Teddy and I out running on the open-road, and to delve into dance and yoga. (Dance 101 in Atlanta has countless dance classes, and I always break a sweat!). I am also going to start using my TV-watching time (which is just about every night) to do some strength training (3 lb. weights, toning exercises, etc.). Recently having turned into a Gleek, Tuesday night's Glee episode will most certainly provide me with some catchy background music. In other words, boot camp was just the jump-start I needed to get back into exercising!

I also have a renewed desire to eat healthy! I tell you, I have always been a junk food eater. It was not uncommon for me to have pizza for lunch and then a burger and fries for dinner. But, once my sister started this blog (which has totally inspired me), I have begun playing with healthy (and tasty!) recipes, which my body has certainly appreciated. I'm not necessarily talking about changes in my appearance (since I have some more "exercise + nutrition" work to do if I want to drop a dress size); but, I have noticed a considerable change in how I feel in terms of energy and regularity--both of which are the result of making only SLIGHT changes to my diet. It is very cool that my body is now starting to crave something healthier.

With all of that said, I am in the process of creating a weekly workout schedule, as well as looking for a few healthy and easy recipes. If you have any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it! My goal is to turn "exercise + nutrition" into a lifestyle, as opposed to a fad that I visit a couple of times of year. So, any particular tips that you have on avoiding the burn-out of trying to be healthy would be great.

P.S. In case you are wondering whether my mile-time improved as a result of boot-camp, I'm sad to report that due to a work conflict (Court in the wilds of Forsyth County), I had to miss our final assessment. Maybe I'll try to give myself the assessment and see how I come out. :)