So today was a good day exercise wise. I didn’t go overboard because I knew if I did I would probably get discouraged. I headed over to the gym after work and decided to do some cardio. Thanks to the current issue of Shape magazine, I followed a pretty moderate to difficult workout. Basically, you start off easy, work your way to the highest peak of difficulty you can and then ease back to where you started off. You can basically do this on the treadmill, bicycle or elliptical machine.
The workout lasts for 33 minutes. Here is the chart from Shape magazine:
Warm up for 0-2 minutes at an RPE of 4
Increase the intensity for 2-7 minutes at an RPE of 5
Add a little more oomph for 7-11 minutes at an RPE of 6
Keep making it harder for 11-14 minutes at an RPE of 7
Push it even more for 14-16 minutes at an RPE of 8
Go all out for 16-17 minutes at an RPE of 9-10
Decrease the intensity for 17-19 minutes at an RPE of 8
Ease up some more for 19-22 minutes at an RPE of 7
Take it down a notch for 22-26 minutes at an RPE of 6
Lower the effort again for 26-31 minutes at an RPE of 5
Cool down for 31-33 minutes at an RPE of 4
What is RPE? It stands for Rate of Perceived Exertion which is the level of intensity. So 4 would be moderately easy where you can converse comfortably with little effort and 9-10 is the highest peak of effort in which you cannot talk at all.
You can either do this workout at the gym if you’re a member or one, or the cardio workout of your choice outdoors.
Personal thoughts: I was able to do this! It wasn’t very difficult and mentally you can do it if you believe you can. Motivating yourself and constantly telling yourself you can finish this helps. Just think about why you want to be in shape and who/what motivates you. When I finished I did 2.08 miles. 
My name is Susan. When you think 'fitness' you think exercise and sweating. But there is more to life than that. Eating mindfully and being happy is also important. That is what this blog is all about. 
