So it is still wintertime (imagine that). My jumps that I am building are coming along well, and I may have to slow down my production, or make a set to sell before I am able to use them. Because my garage is getting full of jumps, which is not a bad thing, but if I keep this up I will have about 25 jumps to use this summer in my tiny riding area!
So while I am slowing down the pace of building my jumps, I still need something to do in the evenings after I get home from work. And since I have been really enjoying eating over the long winter, it is beginning to show. Ok, it has always been showing, but now I am going to do something about that.
I have always been more of a plus size equestrian. Not obese, but definitely overweight. And I have had a problem with balance too, especially while riding. So I was searching through the internet and looking for different ways to lose weight, and improve my balance. My search paid off, because I found a really fun website called The Athletic Rider. I actually found it through YouTube, and found a few exercises that are supposed to help improve balance. And I can say they are simple to do, and I have noticed a difference in my balance.
So then I started looking at more of her videos. And she really has a lot to offer. She also has an athletic rider boot camp that you can join. I know my limitations though, so I know that I would not be dedicated to a program like that this year, but maybe next year after I have been cooped up all winter again. You can check out her videos by clicking this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu1V30dxsp-Zug-sszI_jtw
There are many different exercises you can choose from, and the best part is you only do them tree times a week!
Another thing I have been working on to improve is walking. Walking is a great way to get some exercise, and we all do it already, so why not make a goal of doing it every day? I had a little help in this area, because for Christmas my daughter bought me a Fit Bit. So I have been making it a goal every single day to get in 10,000 steps. It isn’t easy, but the little device on my arm acts as a reminder to keep trying.
At first it seemed like a challenge to get to 8,000 steps a day, but I decided to make this a goal, and every day while I am at work I get up away from my desk and go for a walk. Sometimes I go down the stairs, sometimes I don’t. But what I have found is that by wearing the Fit Bit, I am always looking at how many steps I have taken, and it pushes me to do more. It makes it a lot easier to get to 10,000 steps a day, especially when I can get in those steps while I am at work. Then when I get home, the extra steps of cleaning the barn, and feeding the horses is just extra steps that will help me to slim down even quicker.
So hopefully by the time spring does decide to make its appearance I will be fit, and ready to ride, and not be embarrassed to be making videos while I am wearing my breeches!
