Trying to avoid getting stepped on by the horse

This exercise thing is really the bane of my existence (well bills are too, but that is another story). Why is it that I can exercise on a strong, consistent basis for 5 weeks and then I fall off the horse? I thought three weeks was the time to create a habit?

I think part of my problem is that I simply don't like it. I know - wah, wah, wah! A lot of people I know start off not liking it and then learn to love it; why can't that be me???? Even when I was exercising regularly (because IT'S GOOD FOR ME and I NEED TO LOSE A FEW POUNDS), I didn't learn to love it. I love how I feel when I am done - that is it! And I love the feeling I had at the end of the Hot Chocolate 5k - knowing that I had run the whole time without stopping. But it took every fiber of my being to self-talk myself into moving forward and not walking.....can you hear me 'stay at your own pace' 'ignore the people passing you' 'just run to the street sign' 'oh, that wasn't so bad now run until you pass the dude in the blue shirt who is walking'; 'look, you passed him now run to the signal'; 'say Thank You to the police officer, now pick another sign to pass'; 'you are more than half-way done don't quit now'; 'this is the farthest you have ever run, don't quit now'; 'a hill? are you kidding me?'; 'why is my left foot completely numb?'; 'almost there, don't stop or you will be so mad'; 'oh look, there is the finish -- sprint to get a better time!'....my race in a nutshell. Am I the only person who thinks this way?

And I am certainly not one to spring out of bed in the morning to hit the road or the gym -- I tried, I really tried. I joined a Saturday morning group and did it at 7am for a few weeks. It was freezing cold and miserable; I like the company but that was it. I like sleep and my bed much better. I'm not going to lie and pretend. And my family will attest that I am not a morning person. We all have our limitations. So, I will have to figure out a better way.

A better way currently is mostly with diet - I am averaging one soda per week (if that), fast food once a month, and I have given up chocolate for Lent. I am bringing snacks/lunch for days when I work to avoid getting any junk (I really do eat an apple a day!). I have even cut back significantly on the amount of gluten I was consuming; just finding some alternatives feels better. More water; lots of fresh fruits and veggies; avoiding processed. Trying to make it a lifestyle change not a diet per se. BUT still have to figure out this exercise thing.

Currently, I am finding inspiration from outside sources (shout out to Audrey Percival, Jennifer Smith, and OneFitWidow). Everyone has their own obstacles and goals but these ladies continue to find a way to be better. I am inspired to be better. Now I just have to find that fire within.

So, back on the horse I go -- got 2.2 miles in with 20 jjacks, 20 sit-ups, 30sec. plank, 10 wall push-ups, some arms with mini-weights and a 30 sec. wall sit....better than a sharp stick in the eye, I guess. Or, in the spirit of this post, better than a swift kick in the head from a horse.