After Thanksgiving - Getting Back in the Fitness Saddle

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Today is "Black Friday" and the last thing I will be doing today is shopping. I have a real aversion to shopping on "Black Friday", maybe it's because I worked in retail when I graduated college for a number of years and had to work every "Black Friday."

Instead today is my "Getting Back in the Saddle Day" for eating right and exercise. Yesterday I splurged a bit, so today, I have restarted my routine. That is an important change in mindset for me - getting back in the fitness saddle if I have fallen off. One day off the food wagon is not the end of the world and it is not a license to continue splurging. One day and that's it!

The center machine is the one I used today, I love it. It is a combo elliptical and stepper.

I love the bit of encourage the machine gives me...CLIMB FASTER! Note the ipod, I exercise to music, unless the TV program is really good!

So, this morning I went to the gym at 8:30 and did some cardio (45 minutes) following by a yoga class. The woman who teaches on Friday AM is great. She gives plenty of options for beginner, intermediate and advanced. I fall somewhere between beginner and intermediate. The class she teaches covers upper and lower body, flexibility and cardio. If you have ever held a yoga pose and worn a heart monitor at the same time, you will see that your heart rate will climb.

Right before I did the cardio, I put out my yoga mat. I stay in front because it keeps me honest and I tend to really focus (and I am less likely to cheat) if I am closer to the teacher. Just like school :) The room is serene.

Back home after showering, I had a good lunch of a big salad, then some stuffing (my weakness, you can forget about the pies as far as I am concerned.) Once my daughter leaves to see her boyfriend, I will freeze the stuffing and potatoes in serving size containers. Other than the pies which do nothing for me, everything else that can cause damage is gone.

In about a half hour I am heading to the barn to go on a trail ride. I am taking my western saddle so my friend can use it on her horse. While I love the saddle, it is too long for Nitro's back. By the end of the day, I will feel relaxed and great about myself. No regrets, no guilt, today is a new day. Whatever I did yesterday was in the past.

So my dear friends, if you have overindulged a bit yesterday, get back into the fitness saddle today. Help yourself by taking some proactive steps to get some exercise and freeze or give away some of the rich, tempting food. You are worth it!

Happy, healthy trails to you!