OMG, exercise totally isn’t that bad!

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Disclaimer: I never thought I'd be one of those people who looks forward to working out. I've read it a thousand times about how people grow to enjoy it. I thought it was BS. It's not.

So here I am, into week 3 of my #iwillrockthis challenge. I'm trying, sticking to my no-sugar/no-soda diet, and I may have hit a plateau of sorts… I did *awesome* in week 1, losing almost 10 lbs, and then only about 3 in week 2. I can't see a difference, or feel a difference in how my clothes fit, but I *can* feel it in some other ways; when I put my hands on my hips, it feels a little different, for example. (A bonus slash drawback to my height that that I can gain 13 lbs and it doesn't show. But it doesn't show when I lose it either. Sigh.)

I'm not getting frustrated, though! Just working harder.

My duathlon is on Sunday, so I've been doing a lot more run/walking and biking in preparation. I've found that the soundtrack I train to makes a huge difference in my motivation and willingness to get out there and “just do it.”

My friend Ann Marie's advice to me (she runs half marathons, so I listen to her about these things) “Turn all of the shoulds into musts.” And what do you know? It totally works! It's not “I should probably go run.” It's “I must go run. Now.”

But the playlist doesn't hurt! 🙂

Here are some of the tunes that are keeping me moving, and why:

• Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga: This is absolutely because of #operationglory last summer at Blogher. If you don't know, it's the flash mob I participated in, a choreographed dance to this song. I simply cannot sit still when I hear it, and that feeling hasn't faded in the almost 12 months since the big event.
• Girlfriend (Remix) by Avril Lavigne feat. Lil Mama: I'm a little embarassed about this one, but complete honesty, right? 🙂 I'm sure I would have loved this song in high school, if Avril hadn't been in diapers or something when I was in high school… it talks about liking a boy, and thinking that she would be better for him. Remembering that version of me pushes me forward. I'm doing this for her. Plus, super fun to sing/dance along to!
• Bei Mier bis du Schon by Janis Seigel: One of my favorite tunes from when taught Lindy Hop, the slow buildup of this song is an excellent way to start off! Chills every time I hear this one.
• 500 Miles by the Proclaimers: Makes me pretend that's exactly how far I'm capable of going!
• Dontcha Wish Your Girlfriend was Hot Like Me by the Pussycat Dolls: Because I aspire to be the “me” they're talking about
• You Better Run by Pat Benetar: Duh.

So there are some of my favorites! What do you listen to when you're working out?

I think I'm pretty much ready for Sunday… I just found out the other night that there's no music allowed on the course, so I'm a little concerned about doing it without my tunes, but in talking to other runners/cyclists, no music is the norm, and the energy of the other participants and people along the way helps fill in the “quiet.”

I also need to hope for no flat tires…. I got one last night, and Jamie had to come rescue me, because it was dark and I couldn't see anything… I've only watched a tire get changed once, so I'm gonna go ahead and hope that it's a non-issue! 🙂

I'm really interested to see what my weigh-in is next week… I'm certainly working out more this week than I ever have, so I'm really curious to see if it shows on the scale come Tuesday.