April 29th Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Fitness and Fashion

Oh, wow...Katy Rose is on to me!  I cannot keep up a schedule!  I'll be chugging along doing great with this amazing routine that includes everything I want to accomplish and then Bamm!  It all goes out the door and suddenly I'm lying around on the couch reading the National Enquirer and eating fudgesickles!  Do you guys have this problem?  Have you ever come to yourself in a puddle of chocolate with celebrity magazines strewn all around you?  Well, I have and I'm ready to change.

I've been wanting to include more real life in my blog, and especially more topics that we all can relate to.  I'd like to be a positive light for change...beginning with me.  I've already made a pledge to start posting what I spend in my budget.  But today, for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday, I'm going to talk about Fitness and Fashion.

1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why?   When I'm being good, I either walk at home or I go to the gym and walk on the treadmill and use the weight machines.  I've also bought an amazing book on stretching.  One thing I've noticed is that walking outside at my home where I can walk up and down my driveway which is a hill tends to get me in better shape than walking on a treadmill.  Stretching makes me feel great, too.  My main problem is not wanting to take the time to do it.  I'm working on a new schedule or routine right now and I'm trying to figure out what time of day I'm most likely to succeed at an exercise program.

 2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image?  I've never trained for a marathon, but working out with weights makes me feel strong.  I feel good about myself when I see that definition.  I have an odd problem.  I am not one of those people who sees themselves as bigger than what they are.  I'm one of those people who see themselves as smaller than what they are.  Which is good, really, because it makes you feel better about yourself.  I guess, on the inside, I'm still the slim girl I used to be.

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion?  Functionality, but...I did buy myself some workout wear, knit shorts and tanks in colors I like.  It makes me feel "professional" to be lifting those weights in real workout gear.  Sounds silly, but it works.  It kind of puts me in the mood.

 4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness?  As a woman, there is a cultural perception of what I 'should' be doing for everything, so why should fitness be any different.  This is funny and I've got to share it.  I found this status on Facebook:  "A real woman always keeps her house clean and organized, the laundry basket is always empty.  She's always well dressed, hair done.  She never swears and behaves gracefully in all situations and under all circumstances.  She has more than enough patience to take care of her family, always has a smile on her lips, and a kind word for everyone.  Post this in your status if you, too, suspect that you might be a MAN!!!!"  This cracked me up.  I do think there is a cultural perception of perfection out there and it includes our level of physical fitness.  We live in a world where Marilyn Monroe, a virtual goddess, would probably be considered too soft and out of shape.

5.  Dream big...what would be your ultimate fitness goal.  I would like to be able to walk for a few miles, up and down hills without getting out of breath.  I'd like to regain more of the flexibility I enjoyed when I was young.  I would love to see some definition in my arms, legs, back and stomach.  Not big lumpy muscles, but small tight definition.  I'll admit it.   I'd love to stand in front of a mirror and flex my biceps!

I'm linking up with Katy Rose at Modly Chic for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday and Java at Never Growing Old for the Friday Blog Hop.  You can scroll down and click on the FBFF badge to learn how to be a part of Fashion Beauty Friend Friday.  You can also scoll down and click on the Follow Friday Forty and Over to join the Friday Blog Hop.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit and have a wonderful weekend!