I had a great workout this morning and as a result I noticed this “enjoying my workout” thing is a new experience, a year or so, for me. While in school I went to the gym because I wanted to be “skinny”, then I got engaged so I worked out because I wanted to look good in “the dress” and then after the wedding I went to the gym because everyone else was doing it… it was more of a chore than looking forward to it. Bottom line… It was NEVER for me, but then it all changed last January. Its almost like all of a sudden something clicked inside my head and I can honestly say that I workout because a) I really enjoy it and b) I want to be in the best health as possible. Yes it is definitely nice to be in shape and look good but that’s just a side effect now and not the main reason. so I want to know… Why do you workout? Do you enjoy it or you feel like you should do it?
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I have now finished day 3 of the cleanse and I feel amazing.. mentally I am clear and sharp and physically I feel great. I definitely have more energy and have so far enjoyed the experience. I am really enjoying the food and am amazed by how yummy some of these raw recipes taste.
Today’s Log 1/20/10:
Breakfast:
- 20 oz of Green Juice
- 1 Pear
Lunch:
- Cauliflower Salad w/ Orange-Walnut Dressing
- Moroccan Spiced Carrot Soup
- Chocolate Coconut Chew
Dinner:
- Quinoa w/ lightly steamed spinach & zucchini
- SM Salad topped with Raw Tahini Dressing
- Gelareh’s raw soft serve ;)
Supplements:
Probiotics, Multi Vitamin, Digestive Enzymes
Helped my body detox with dry brushing
Water:
72 ounces
Excercise:
50 Min Spinning
Mood: 8 (on scale of 1 – 10, 1=not so happy, 10=sing and dance out in the rain)
Energy: 8 (1 – 10, 1=back to bed, 10=Climbing Mt Everest)
Total Sleep Hrs: 6 hrs
Notes about my daily totals:
Light Green indicates that I am just below or just above daily recommended value depending on one or two of the 14 elements reported.
For example Sugar and Carbs are directly connected. The RDA for Carbs is 45 – 65 % of daily caloric intake, and since I had a bit too much sugar my carbs will not turn dark green, but that’s ok because all of my sugar intake came from natural sources.. so I am not worried.
My total calories are light green because of my setting and really is an indication for me and my personal goals, otherwise 1,864 cal is perfect amount and this includes eating back my burnt calories from my workout this morning.
AND you guessed it… Dark Green means… I scored PERFECT in that category 
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I will be reporting back for Jury Duty tomorrow morning, so I have packed similar to Tuesday, The Kind Diet, Real Simple, Lunch, Snacks and Water.
Sweet Dreams!
I’m glad this cleanse has you feeling on top of your game! I workout because it makes me feel good. It’s my “me” time and I can get a little cranky if I can’t fit it in!
I originally started working out in college to get in shape and tone up, but I quickly realized how good it made me feel! Now I definitely work out to make me feel happy, strong, and healthy!
This cleanse sounds really great! I’m glad you are feeling better. Good luck with Jury Duty!
I’m the same way – I used to workout to be “skinny” and to burn calories. Now I am totally and 100% in love with working out b/c of how it makes me feel, it is MY time, and it makes me healthy!!!!
I’m impressed that your cleanse lets you actually eat–and not just sip lemon water or tea all day. It looks like the food you ate today was really healthy but not too little. It’s so interesting following you. As for why I work out, I do it because I’m rehabbing two bad knees and I want to be able to get my old life back (walking and standing without pain). When I’m *finally* better, I’ll work out to make sure my knees don’t revert back to this painfulness.
Wow, that dish that is pictured looks super yummy!
I definitely work out for me. Sometimes I’m a bit tired and dont really want to leave the house, but I’m usually motivated when I think about how great working out makes me feel.
I’m glad the cleanse is still going well! Try not to get too caught up in the numbers, it’s different for everyone
I work out because it feels good!
Your food always looks so fantastic.
I workout because it makes me feel good. I feel stronger, and more confident. I personally do not care what anyone else thinks when they look at me, I care what I think.
My workouts used to be all about losing weight, but theyre not anymore. Thats probably one of my biggest accomplishments.
have fun at jury duty!! i agree, working out is miserable if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. now i work out because it feels good to be strong and it’s energizing, helps my mood and also my sleep at night
Previous post. Dry brushing. Awesome. I do it. Not faithfully but it’s great when I do.
Your food photo on this post = brilliant.
Exercising and a lightbulb going off…AWESOME!!!
I love to work out! Well, I like to run, if that is considered working out too? I do it every morning, and it totally rejuvenates me.
So great to hear that you’re enjoing your workout now and don’t feel like it’s something you “have” to do anymore.. I’ve been active all my life and therefore always loved working out.
Your eats sounds amazing and dinner looks stellar! I really want to do a cleanse as well but would ideally take one week off of work so I can dedicate my whole energy to it.
I used to hate running. It hurt! But now I really do enjoy it. Even when I don’t initially want to get out there, I always feel good once I get going!
Your photography is beautiful! Your quinoa dish is magazine-worthy!
Sometimes I do it because I love it and sometimes it is a chore! Depends on the day
The quinoa looks fab! I agree, if you aren’t exercising for yourself and always doing it for others, then what’s the point? It also helps when you find something you really enjoy doing, like running or biking. I used to workout more out of habit than anything. I danced (ballet) for over 20 yrs. When I was no longer able to fit it into my sched or find adequate classes, I turned to the gym. I hated it. But now I exercise b/c the way it makes me feel and the changes I can make to my body by lifting weights.
Love your question! Even on days when I feel I have to workout just to workout, I end up enjoying the time to myself! I consider my workout time-me time.
gosh how beautiful your food is. talk about one sense compensating for another.
bon courage!
-The Paris Food Blague
working out clears my head and prepares me for my day……need and love it!
Great post. Exercise should be fun, not work.
Your dinner looks yummy
In college I was obsessed with working out, to the point where I sometimes went twice a day! Gross. I didn’t enjoy my workouts either, but I usually had something to study while I worked out, which actually helped. Now I workout when I feel like it, and I do whatever I feel like doing. Sometimes it’s pilates, other times it’s yoga, sometimes I just want to lift, other times I want to use the elliptical! It’s nice, I’m not anxious about it and I enjoy it. I’m glad you do too
I think the key to enjoying your workout is finding an exercise you actually like. I hear people say all the time that they hate running…okay so don’t run! Do what you enjoy, be it swimming, kickball, volleyball, the elliptical, yoga, whatever! But find an activity that you like and then exercise doesn’t become something you HAVE to do but something you WANT to do!!
I am so glad you enjoyed yourself!
Yeah, I definitely work out for my own sanity! (and for the sanity of those around me, aka my husband!)
I workout for me for many reasons: the energy it gives me, the confidence I feel afterwards, the pride at completing one little “project”!
I really enjoy it but I also feel like I really need to be going, haha…so I guess a little of both!
Hey, thanks for commenting on my blog! I’m really enjoying looking through yours and especially learning about how the cleanse is going. I wasn’t able to join this time unfortunately, but it looks like it’s really making a difference. Your meals look spectacular.
I definitely work out because I enjoy it! I am selfish and love that ME time!
great post- i used to just workout for me and my health, but hten i got obsessive and it was all about calories. this hiatus from working out has taught me that i should love exercise for the right reasons and i believe my relationship iwth it will never be so unhealthy again
yay
Glad to see Day 3 went good for you! Your picture of your food is amazing!!
I will have to try the orange walnut dressing. I made tahini dressing last night and had it on my salad today. Just delish.
Day 4 and I’m going strong on level 2 of the cleanse.
Originally I began working out because I loved it. Then it was to stay skinny. Now it’s because it makes me feel on top of the world.
i just love the feel of a good workout…i feel strong and beautiful, with plenty of energy when i’m done!
I started working out in HS to be skinny, got to obsessive levels with it, toned it down a bit, and now do it for the way it makes me feel- full of energy, healthy, and focused! Great work with your cleanse!
I workout because it is my quiet time. It is one of the only times of the day when no one talks to me. And I like that.
i don’t really love working out but i do it to keep depression at bay.
It has taken me years to get to this point, but I finally do work out for me, to be strong and take care of myself. Maintaining a healthy weight is just a nice by-product.
Sounds like the cleanse is going really well!
I still teeter back and forth from going to the gym because I love it and going because I know I have to. But once I go I am ALWAYS glad I did. So in that sense I am doing it for me because I feel amazing when all is done.
That’s great. I don’t necessarily like working out sometimes, but I always like the feeling afterward. I think that’s a huge part of what keeps me going.
I started working out heavily in high school to be skinny, but shifted my drive to be healthy now that I’m older and wiser
I try to view it as me time – time to catch up on TV shows, listen to new music and focus on doing something that is taking care of myself so I can take better care of others.
I love the exercise question. And I love that you love to work out for you!
I have to say that for quite a few years, I worked out for “external” reasons. But now it’s really about how I feel and to be as healthy and “young” as I can be. Being an “older mom” makes me really want to be as healthy and energetic as I can be to keep up with the toddler… 
I hope you are enjoying your weekend!