Motivation to change

Well, I sort of mentioned in my last post that I used to dance, cheer, yoga and things that incorporate stretching into exercise so I never had to really make a conscious effort to stretch. Even when I wasn't dancing as much, I was cheering and had to be flexible and in shape or I wouldn't get to fly. During this time, I also started yoga-ing (b/c that's a word and all...) so when I stopped cheering I was really in to that. After college, however, I moved back home to Fresno and didn't really like the instructors I took classes from so I stopped. I would still work out but without much stretching. I've realized that flexibility really contributes to how I feel physically and lately, without it, I've been feeling much more restricted, older, and out of shape.

Another source of motivation comes from having 3 younger siblings.  We're all pretty competitive with each other and as the oldest I'm used to picking things up quickly, being stronger and more athletic than the others...well more than my 2 sisters anyway.  So over winter break when we all tried snowboarding for the 1st time I noticed I had more trouble than I expected and felt like I wasn't really keeping up.  Gotta step up the workouts and stretching so I can keep my balance better and not get tired so quickly!

Good.

Bad.

Goal and Plan

I know I said in class that my goal would be to make it to the gym for at least an hour, at least 3 times a week...but I would like to refocus this a bit.  I definitely would like to get back in to a regular workout schedule (at least 3 times a week) but my new goal will be to improve my flexibility.  I used to be active in dance/cheer/yoga but over the past couple years have become more of a traditional gym-goer (treadmill, weights, etc.), exercising without stretching well.  So recently I was doing yoga on Wii Fit *really fun, by the way* and found my flexibility has significantly decreased which has made me feel both old and out of shape.  Specifically, I would like to comfortably sit in the splits (right leg, left leg, and center) as well as exceed my old limits by being able to do a heel stretch, scale and scorpion (see pictures below).  Though there may not be any real benefits to being able to do the splits or any of the other things I listed, I have read that flexibility can aid in daily performance, balance, circulation, posture, and relieving stress.  

My plan of action will be to stretch for at least 10 minutes three times a week, after each work out for the first 4 weeks.  I will stretch for each of the goal positions and especially the muscles I worked out that day in the gym.  After 4 weeks I will add another day, stretching at least 15 minutes (after a workout).  After 8 weeks I will try to add another day so that I am stretching/working out at least 5 days a week.  At the end of 16 weeks I hope to be in great shape and more flexible than ever. :)