'tis the season

You know what always makes me feel like a big lazy slob more then anything?

Watching The Biggest Loser contestants every Tuesday night, work their butts off in the gym for hours on end, while I'm sitting at home on my couch...doing absolutely nothing for two hours.

I love that show! It motivates me to push myself harder when I do get to the gym. With summer just about here and watching Daris complete a marathon in four hours, I am so excited for the season of triathlons, marathons, 5ks, 10ks, etc. It is a little late to start training big time for an event, but I have decided to not let this summer fly by with out getting into shape (or sort of in shape:) and doing one of these events. It is so inspiring to watch The Biggest Loser contestants complete their marathons every season. It just amazes me every time. Some of those people are twice my size and they ran(with some walking) a marathon! The longest I have ever run at one time is 4 miles.

I finally achieved a goal of mine and completed a sprint triathlon last summer. But ever since then (almost a year) I have been in a work-out schlump. Just not really sure what to do...mixed in with plenty of illness between the kids and I this winter, along with many visits from family. I just haven't been in a groove at all! It is starting to freak me out...so I am determined to achieve this little goal.

My husband and I decided to do a triathlon this August, but as a relay. So our friend will join us and we will each do one of the three legs. I will do the swimming, which I love and am so excited to get back in the pool. We only have two months...so I better get my buttsky off the couch and stop blogging so much. It's a good thing my Tuesday nights have recently opened up:)

I have done a couple 5k runs in the past, and I think those are a great way for someone to start out. I am not a strong runner, so 3 or so miles is just perfect for me. I love it because it involves everyone and every member of the family can participate...no matter, age, gender, physical ability. Some people, the really good runners, run super fast the whole way and make all the rest of us look like out-of-shape smokers, others run/walk, and some just walk. My parents even did a 5k with me on Thanksgiving day last year! It rained the entire time but we had so much fun and they had a great time speed walking the whole way.

The atmosphere is wonderful! There is upbeat music playing and often times prizes and food are handed out after the event. It's so great to be there with friends and family and share the achievement with them. Everyone is there to have a good time...there really isn't any competition, except maybe with yourself and achieving some personal goals along the way. That is the great thing about having a friend by your side. Not only will they motivate you and help you achieve those goals, but they will chat with you the entire way, making the time just fly by.

There are also events for the kids as well. Usually a half mile or so. My kids have done a few of these, which are usually free or little cost. It is such a fun way to introduce the mindset that exercise is fun and a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. Something I hope I am teaching my own kids. Parents are more then welcome to run along side the kids or push the little ones in strollers (we always run with ours) It's a great family activity, full of fun and exercise!

The only downside (if you want to call it that) is the fee to register...prices range from $20-$80 depending on what type of event you are doing. The plus side is that the money usually goes towards a good cause such as AIDS, breast cancer, etc. The event fee also usually includes a small gift bag and commemorative t-shirt, which is always fun:)

So I guess what I am trying to say is...

If Michael from The Biggest Loser can do it, I'm pretty sure anyone can do it. So find an event in your area, grab a friend, your spouse, your nutbars...and just do it! You know you want too.

Bob and Jillian would be so proud.