I walked/jogged this morning.  I feel good and I know it is because of my exercising.  My attitude is directly related to my working out. 
     My physical pain, like shinsplints, limited my movement this morning on the treadmill.  But, I was able to push through the thirty minutes at a slower speed.  Now, it is important that I try to run again soon.

Low-impact today

     I walked today.  It had to be a low-impact day because I forgot to pack my water and towel last night.  I'm going to pack everything again tonight in the hopes of exercising tomorrow morning.  It was still a great workout, but i didn't turn my exhausted shade of pink and that is what it is all about!

Still going...

     Yeah, I laid my clothes out yesterday in the hopes of working out three days in a row...nope.  I was so sore yesterday and the treadmill was the last thing on my mind.  So, I made it today for a low impact walk for thirty minutes.  I was happier while exercising today.  That surprised me.  This must be the high point between the lulls.  I can work with that.

A New Goal!

     So, I set my clothes out last night and I worked out again today.  I was sore, but I was comfortable enough to run ten total minutes.  It was easier to run in the first ten minutes, even two minutes at a time.  My BP stayed below 180, so I kept going.  But, after the fifteen minute mark, I was running my BP up in the 180's.  So, I ran a minute every couple minutes until my thirty was over.
     It was harder to breathe today.  I don't know if it because I ran so much yesterday or just the increase in speed.  Yesterday, I ran at 4.8mph and today I ran at 5.2mph.  It could be the reason I was so winded.  They say to assess your exercise level of intensity to try to sing, talk and breath.  If you can sing you are working out at a lower level.  If you can't talk and are breathing heavy, then you are exercising at a higher level.  I have raised my level over the past two months.  When I get off of the machine, I am winded and sweaty!  There isn't much more I can do to raise my workout intensity.  I'll just continue to add running minutes until I can run the whole thirty.  My husband does it.  It is a bigger goal, but I think I am in a good place to try to achieve it.  I can't wait to see what my legs look like when I am a consistent runner.  It'll be so worth it.

I'm back!

     It took me twelve long days to get back on the treadmill!  I was simmering in my own despair.  Exercise has such a positive effect on my mood.  So, without the workout, I was depressed and not happy with myself.  I am glad to have started it up again. 
     Another reason to be consistent is my balance on the treadmill.  Today I lost it and came close to crashing.  When I workout regularly, I have an easier time just staying on the darn thing!  Yet another reason to keep at it.

Shinsplint!

     Erg.  I went to the gym early again while my son was at school.  My mind was a little scattered.  I think it happens when I wake from a deeper sleep.  So, stepping on the treadmill was unusually shaky.  But, I wanted to get my thirty in.  I started my first burst of running only to find my right shin burning into minute four.  What do I do?  I turn the speed down to three mph and I continue.  I tried to run again to no avail.  So, I concentrated on keeping my focus and balance.  By minute twenty I had pushed my shin to it's limit and decided to try the elliptical for less impact.  Now, the elliptical is a specialized machine in my opinion.  I can get going with no problem, but finding my stride proved to be comical.  I can go faster, but I end up actually tripping forward and losing my grip on the handles and that sends the handle into my chest.  It was all very silly.  So, I only lasted five minutes on the elliptical.  I finished my last five on the treadmill, let myself cool down and came home for a quick nap.
     I must say, I am proud of myself for getting to the gym this week.  I'm still pushing myself and I need to accept credit for that.  It is all a part of the lifestyle change and the process of getting to a new level of exercise.

Is it getting easier?

     Today I got to the gym early and finished 1.75mi in thirty minutes.  I was able to jog/run for four minutes straight and an additional six minutes intermittently.  It was easier to get going this am for some reason.  Maybe I have turned a corner, as they say.  It feels so great knowing I got my workout in for the day.  I truly hope this is a lifestyle change.