Thursday 13: The Gastric Girl Edition

I met Miss Laurie when I was researching my RNY.� We have never met in person but she is one of my C&P girls on-line and she is great fun.� I am also very jealous of both she and�Jil� because they get to live close together and are friends in real life!





Hi, my name is Laurie and I'm normally found at http://gastric-girl.blogspot.com� and I'm filling in for Kim while she's in North Carolina!�

Kim had gotten me involved with the Thursday 13 meme, and I have had so much fun with it. Naturally, when Kim needed some fill-ins for her blog, I wanted to get Thursday! �



This week - we'll discuss 13 things that are helpful to me in my journey to fitness, if not necessary!



1) Music - This is super important to me - as I can't even work at my full time job without music in the background.� It is what helps motivate me to keep going and it's just a joy to me!�� Sometimes I just chant to myself, "I just have to make it through this song!" over and over again... It helps me!

2) Good shoes - Good shoes are essential in your fitness journey.� Old and worn out, or shoes that are too heavy, etc. can cause an injury.� Not good!!

3) A good bra - You want to keep the girls in place!����

4) An activity you love - If you don't love what you're doing, you probably won't keep doing it!�� I like to vary my routine so I can change things up and avoid boredom.�� My activities of choice - weight classes, the elliptical machine, and weight machines (not brave enough for the free weights yet).� I am going to try zumba soon, as well as a spin class.� I've watched the classes going on while I was on the elliptical, and I look forward to trying them!

5) A heart rate monitor - Not sure if you're working hard enough, or even working too hard?� A heart rate monitor will help remedy that situation for you!�� I love mine...� It tells me when to slow down, or kick it up a notch... and it tells me my calories burned!�� It's much more accurate than the calorie counts on machines, and you can even wear most models while swimming.��

6) A workout buddy - I have a workout buddy for my muscle blast class, and I love it!� It is really helpful to me.� And, when 7 am on a Saturday morning rolls around and I want to stay in bed, just knowing that she's going to be there waiting on me makes me get up and go!

7) A healthy "diet" - while I refuse to ever go on another DIET again, eating right will certainly come in handy on your journey.� My choice - low fat proteins, complex carbs, and low fat.�� I try to stay away from fat free items because the taste just isn't there.� Moderation!

8) Breathable clothing - if you wear heavy clothes while working out, you'll feel like you're getting heavier and heavier as you sweat..� Investing in some clothing that allows your skin to breathe is essential - plus, it will help you not break out so easily!

9) A plan - It's easiest to start and keep up with a routine if you have a plan in place.� What are your goals?� How much time do you have to invest in your workout routine?

10) Measurements - Whether your goal is to lose weight, bulk up, etc., take your measurements periodically.� We all know the scale is a pain sometimes, but measurements don't lie.���

11) Pictures - Taking before and during pictures will help you, especially during those days that you just don't feel like going to work out.�� Put those before pictures in a prominent place and look forward to taking those "after" pictures!

12) WATER! -� I know water doesn't taste the best, but it is one of the most important elements to your success!� You have to keep your body hydrated.� Without water, your muscles will not get hydrated, and you will not have the stamina to complete your workouts!

13) Patience - We live in an "I want it NOW!" society.� Well, our bodies did not get out of shape overnight, and they're not going to bounce back overnight.� Realize you are a work in progress, and that the changes WILL happen.� It may not be as quickly as you like, but it will happen!�� Keep on keeping on!

Happy Thursday to you all!���

Kim, I hope you're having a great time!