My legs are sore. So is my butt. I’ve drunk more water in the last week than I probably have in my entire life. I’ve turned into one of those people who compare nutritional values of items at the grocery store just to go stand in produce section and fill my arms full of vegetables. And that’s nothing compared to the time I spend in front of the citrus fruit picking through those round lovelies to find just the right one.
But you know what? I haven’t felt this great in months!
What changed? I decided to make fitness and health a priority in my life.
Last week on my friend Ginger Calem’s blog, I declared my intentions to do the WritersButt Challenge. (If you haven’t heard of WritersButt – you MUST go check our Ginger’s series. It is totally worth it!)
Seriously, I can already feel a difference. I know a huge part of it is the water. My husband has told me many times that I don’t drink enough of it and water is essential to a person’s body. It has a tons of benefits. Boy, was he right! Since I’ve been drinking up to 100 ounces a day, I’ve noticed that I’m eating less and I have a lot more energy.
Then comes the Potty Squats. I can feel the burn. Don’t believe me? You try doing 10-15 every time you go to the bathroom – it adds up. And with all the water I’m drinking, I visit the bathroom more often – so that means more squats.
I’m also eating more protein for breakfast now. Omelets, scrambled eggs, eggs on whole wheat toast, oh yeah. Not only is it yummy, but its filling too. Plus it gives my body fuel to get my day started.
But I think the most amazing aspect of this whole challenge is the enormous amount of encouragement and support I’ve received. The comments on my post at Ginger’s blog made me cry and laugh all at the same time. I’ve never been on the recipient end of that kind of thing, and its humbling to know that so many people are cheering for me. If I could have reached through the internet, each one of you would have gotten a huge hug!
I’ve had several people tell me that my story inspired and motivated them. They, too, are paying more attention to their health and getting back to working out. My pal, Emmie Mears, had the great idea to support each other and share our daily accomplishments. We are all going to tweet about it using the hashtag #WANAfit. So come join us and share your health goals, advice, tips, and accomplishments. And don’t be scared to ask for help or support – that’s what we are here for. I have no doubt that together we can succeed in being more healthy and fit.
And don’t be shy here, either. I’d love to hear your own stories, workout challenges, goals, and tips. Share them in the comments with me – please!
Yah for you & a good start! I started carrying water around with my everywhere when I first started writersbutt, Ginger is the water ninja. Now I feel like I’m forgetting something if I leave the house without it. I do squeeze lemon or orange into it throughout the day, and sometimes add cucumber slices which is really yummy!
I get my nerve block in my lower back tomorrow and then can start working out again, so I’ll be joining you guys in the twitter feed soon!
Shannon, I wish you the best of luck with your nerve block. I know back pain is not fun and I hope this will help relieve your symptoms.
“Ginger is a water ninja.” LOVE IT! lol
Cucumber slices – now that’s something I’m going to have to try.
Thanks for stopping in!
Jennifer, what a great week you had. You sound so enthusiastic and lively, I’ll bet your whole body and brain is humming with happiness. WTG! I’m cheering you on!
Sheila,
My body and brain really is humming with happiness, and lots more energy! And its helping with my writing, too. BONUS! 🙂
Thanks for your support!
Well, you know how happy and smiley this post makes me. 🙂 You are ROCKIN’ IT Miss FAB!! Keep it up. Add is push ups and some of the workouts in the early WB posts. I hope we’ll touch base when I’m in TN. All good things are happening.
Don’t look back!!
HUGS
I made the Water Ninja smile! lol
Ginger – thank you so much for all you’re doing for me. I’m so grateful.
I’m checking out the earlier WB posts to find those workouts today, so I’ll be adding them in too.
We will definitely be touching base while you’re in TN!
This is fantastic! I have also taken a step back to my workout program. I have fallen off this week being away from home, but plan to jump right back on again. I felt so great working out again. I have had a water bottle glued to me for almost two years now. I feel naked if I don’t have one with me. I always stash one in my purse before I leave the house. I should be checking in at Gingers WriterButt!
Debra,
Isn’t it amazing how good it feels when we get our bodies moving?
My purse isn’t quite big enough for a water bottle. Hmmm… this means I get to go purse shopping doesn’t it? 😀
Yes, check in at Ginger’s WritersButt or join us on Twitter with the hashtag #WANAfit and/or #Writersbutt. We can keep each other motivated! 🙂
WTG Jennifer! That sound you hear is me cheering you on!
Thank you so much, Lynette!
well done, Jennifer. sounds like it’s really working for you.
So far, so good, Louise!
I’m hoping I can keep it up as things progress. I’m learning its all about breaking bad habits and creating new ones. 🙂 It can be tough to do that but its totally worth it!
Hi Jennifer!
When I first read your letter over on Ginger’s blog, I couldn’t help but feel inspired.
And now I too have achy legs.
The first day (Friday) I started Writer’s Butt, I ended up doing well over 100 squats… I’ve never done more than 20 in a day. I could barely stand on Saturday. It was painful. But rewarding.
The challenge is hard, but I feel like it is do-able for when I’m at work. Which is the real plus of Writer’s Butt for me.
Good luck to you with this lifestyle change – it’s a big one, but it will be so worth it!
Dahnya,
I’m so glad you are joining me in doing the WritersButt workouts.
My legs were soooo sore the next day, too. They felt like jello. LOL! But you’re right, it is so worth it.
100 squats – AWESOME! You’ll be seeing (not just feeling, haha!) the result in no time!
I love that this challenge is so easy to fit into a busy daily schedule. That’s what is so great about it. Anyone can do it, anywhere!
Keep up the great work!!
what a great system – the water and the squats. the perfect “loop” – must give that a try…
Suzanne,
It really is a great “loop” system. Ginger was a genius to think it up! If you want, you can find out lots more about it on Ginger Calem’s blog. She does a WritersButt Wednesday series – great things go on over there!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lucky you aren’t with her in person. She had me doing pushups on the street on our walk. And I did them! Without complaint? What is this power Ginger has?!?
Now on to the important thing, here, Jennifer. I’m not hearing much about the wine at the end. Ginger gets wine. Is she not sharing? Do we need an intervention here?
Liz,
Ginger is a Water Ninja with mind control powers! How awesome is that? LOL!
Wine? I get WINE too? Ohh.. this just got so much better!
Hey Jennifer, you’ve had an awesome week. May it be just the first of thousands. You go, girl!
Thanks so much, Pru! I couldn’t have done it without all the support!
Sounds like you are doing awesome! I am bad at drinking water so I am working on that and on eating breakfast(which I like to skip). Keep at it:)
Kara,
The water was tough. I wasn’t one to drink much in the way of beverages to begin with, so adding that much of anything was hard. But water – its so… tasteless. That made it even more tricky. But if you squeeze citrus fruit in – makes it much more yummy. And then I’ve also been doing mixing different citrus fruits for variety. It helps. That and knowing I have to answer to Ginger if I don’t do it – she has mind control powers… just ask Liz!
I’ve been eating lots of eggs for breakfast lately, and let me tell you. I have felt better and had more energy in the mornings than I used to. Lots of protein to keep me going!
Thanks for the encouragement and for stopping by!
Awesome post, Jennifer! So glad you’re feeling the burn — I actually love that feeling and knowing it’s my body telling me I’m doing something right.
Rock on!
Thanks, Emmie! I feel the same way. The burn is good!
Ooh, you’re off to an excellent start, Jennifer. Congrats on handling the water requirement and doing those squats.
Burn, baby, burn. Disco Inferno! Awesome update. Awesome chick. ‘Satisfaction in a chain reaction.’ OK, I’m off the disco now, but still cheering you on 🙂
Awesome, Jennifer! Don’t stop. We’re with you.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Jennifer, I’m so enjoying reading about your journey. It’s so inspiring! I’ve rededicated myself to my fitness goals too and will definitely be using #WANAfit. Great idea, thanks.
So happy for you that you’re noticing a difference in how you feel already! That’s so awesome, Jennifer! We’re all rooting for you each step of the way. 🙂
Good for you, Jennifer!!! I’m completely excited for you, and I’ve heard of these Potty Squats, but not I’m inspired to try them.
I’m posting about my own gluten free journey back to health tomorrow. It’s AH-MAZING how important it is to put healthy things in our bodies!
Good for you for taking back the control. 🙂
Hi, Jennifer! You are inspiring me to give better health a good try again. Not quite there…but getting closer. Between thyroid issues, gluten intolerance, and some residual problems from a car accident (not major, just annoying), I’ve pretty much given up on dieting. The only way to separate me from any excess pounds is a surgeon wielding a liposuction tube…or a genie in a bottle. 🙂
Now a few things…is it possible that the iron in the egg yolks is helping you feel better (do you take a good multi vitamin?).
Potty squats??? LOL! Never heard of them, but they sound painful.
And finally, I know what you mean about plain water. When I first started increasing my intake about 10 years ago, I bought some Watkins coconut extract, and put a few drops in each bottle. It gave it a sort of creme soda flavor. But, surprisingly enough, you will get to the place where plain water tastes DELICIOUS! At least I’ve come to love it (as long as it isn’t my well water…can we say YUCK?).
Keep up the fantastic…hmm…don’t want to say work…progress is better. 🙂
Jenny…I’m with you on not being inspired to do anything called potty squats (but the name did make me chuckle). If you don’t see a comment from me tomorrow, please assume I forgot and REMIND ME please. I’ve fallen off the gluten-free wagon for the past few weeks and need to climb back on (need some inspiration).
Yea!
Well done you! I keep water next to me all the time too! Been thinking of you all week! You can do it!
Great start, Jennifer. It’s great to hear you’re feeling better already. Drinking more water really makes a difference.
And thanks for the reminder about the Potty Squats! Water and squats are a brilliant loop. I’ll also check out the WANAfit tag. That’s a perfect way to support each others with health goals.
I’ve been running behind all week so I’m only now getting here, but I think this is awesome, especially the #WANAfit hashtag. Writing can be hard on our bodies because we drink too much caffeine and don’t move enough. Time to unite to get healthy too!
The wanafit #tag is a great idea. I can’t get my poor head around the wanatribe thing and can’t find conversations etc. I should point out I’m in creative mode so logic is not functioning in my small brain. Been doing the potty squats and can’t walk today(!) But I know enough to keep doing them and I’m drinking tons of water too. Which means even more potty squats! What have you done to me, woman!