So, there are lots of great ways to get started on your new exercise regimen.  Keeping a positive frame of mind is one of them!  So many of us think of exercising as "work" and I'm not going to lie to you- it is.  BUT it doesn't have to feel like work.   The little guy in this picture doesn't think it's work at all because to him its play!  

So, if you are having a hard time wrapping your mind around getting out there to "work"; don't!  Get out there and PLAY!  Bring a friend to the gym or rail trail.  Find a new mountain trail to hike or bike.  Rent a canoe for the day.  Or one of my personal favorites-  stick the baby in a comfy carrier hike to a pond, bring a healthy picknick lunch and let her watch the fish swim, tadpoles wiggle and the ducks fly by.

Dear Partner,

You mean so much to me and today is the perfect day to say thank you for everything you have helped me to accomplish.  So, thank you for pushing me to put my running shoes on during the days I just can't be bothered.  Thank you for having the perfect name to pace my stride, especially when I'm feeling alone.  Thank you for always being the one I race toward when I feel like giving up.  Thank you for your joyous and approving smiles when you see me run through the finish line (even if I'm last).  And thank you, dear daughter, for calling me Mommy.

You give me the motivation to begin, the strength to keep going and more joy I at the finish than I ever could have imagined. I love you. ~Mom

Spring is the perfect time of year to start making positive changes in our lives.  The days are getting longer, the weather is nicer and we get to see the world around us come to life as the plants pop out of the earth and leaves open on the trees.  With all this new energy around us and the sweet smell of spring flowers it is also the perfect time of year to get out of the house and start exercising more often!  Even if you have a home gym it can be extremely motivating to get outside and soak up some sun; which has its own happy benefits! (Just be careful not get burned!)

If you are at all like me or the many people out there who find it difficult to get things going, the best way to get into a routine is to start small and preferably with a friend or two for added motivation.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is to go all out on their first attempt at exercise and get burnt out or hurt before you even get the ball rolling.  Walking 20-30 minutes a day is a fantastic way to start yourself out.  As you start to feel better about simply taking the time out of your day to do that you can start walking faster and/or longer each week until you build up to a full session of brisk walking or jogging depending on your goals.  

I like to register for local races to keep me motivated.  They hold me accountable for my training and allow me to have a social element on race day!  I love love love getting together with a giant group of people (almost ALL of which are strangers to me) and sharing the gift of health and camaraderie on race day.  I don't ever expect to come in as #1 but it's a wonderful feeling to keep pushing myself and others towards new goals and hearing your fellow racers and spectators cheering all around you throughout the tough patches is so worth the time and effort I put in during my solo training sessions.

Happy Spring!

For the Month of May I am offering a 50% discount on all packages purchased by or for Mothers!  There are 12 packages available at this rate so get them soon!  And don't forget to say Happy Mother's Day!!!  with the gift of fitness to the loving mother(s) in your life!  Just one package per lucky mama please!