(I snapped this shot last Tuesday when we were finally able to see the sidewalk clearly after all the snow. Ian and Janie decided to take a break from from riding their tricycles to "give them a snack". Snow was the drink and grass was the snack. I love the kindness both kids showed to their beloved rides.)
Easy to talk about, but much harder to do is the "E" word - Exercise that is. For 6 years I darkened the doors at my local Curves 3 times per week to exercise. The pounds slide off after 2 pregnancies and it felt great getting dressed not having to worry if things would zip. I switched to working out at home with the Hers circuit training machine and did well for about a year. Then I hurt my wrist last January by slipping on some ice in my driveway. That was all it took to derail me from my long-standing routine.
This January I decided to commit to starting up my exercise routine again. Shopping for new "tools" was a lot of fun. I purchased a few new DVDs (yoga and Jillian Michaels) and a book promising 12 minute workouts. The workout book has been the most useful addition to my collection. I figure that I may not have 30 minutes to work-out but surely I can squeeze in 12. The catch (isn't there always at least one?) is that I am supposed to do cardio workouts 3-4 times per week. Apart from chasing the kids around that hasn't happened yet. There is always a reason not to (the weather is crummy, it's too late in the day, etc) and I am looking for ways to actively work out and engage my kids too. Too often I find myself being the coach while they do the active part. Long walks and tricycle rides have a way of turning into a forced march which is definately not what I want to teach the kids about exercise. Suggestions are welcome!
Anticancer Note: To reduce inflammation it is recommended that you walk 6 times a week for 30 minutes at a time.
Hi Aly! I don't know if this would help, but I recently dropped 45 pounds with the assistance of a pedometer and even though I don't have children, I frequently baby-sit my niece (5 years old), my nephew (4 years old) and Carl and I's god-daughter (2 years old). I know it takes a lot of energey to be a mom, but remember, every little step you take counts on the pedometer!
ReplyDeleteWhen I baby-sit, I try and think of really fun, interactive games the kids and I can play at home or the park. Duck, Duck, Goose is a favorite, as is Hide and Seek, although I only recommend this one in a smaller, confined area, such as an enclosed backyard.
And if all else fails, I just find a large, unencumbered space where everyone can run freely without injury and let the kids chase me around. They love it, I love it, and it has the added advantage of tiring them out when whomever I'm sitting for arrives home.
I always look at my pedometer and find I've amassed more steps while baby-sitting than I usually do. It seems having kids is a great way to shape up. And I definitely credit my niece, nephew and god-daughter with their unknowing assistance with my success. Good luck! And you have a beautiful family. :-)
Amee,
ReplyDeleteWhat type of pedometer do you use? I've looked into them in the past and was overwhelmed by the variety.
Heck, I'm doing Curves. Its the only way to get my mother to exercise. It works, but its a time eater. An hour each day we go, oy, and $34 a month. I get up gladly and willingly though at 5:50am (to slip it in when they open at 6:30) because it makes that much of a difference in my day and my mother's day. An exercise partner, as you taught me, can make the seemingly impossible possible.
ReplyDeleteI'd personally rather do yoga at home and bike. Yoga you kindof have to learn from someone else, but you can do it in the yard or living room or whatever whenever as long as you're not too self-conscious. We still bike down here, yay. But really, just consciously deciding to chase the kids for a game is instant cardio. It takes the openness to look beyond the fear that you'll always get stuck playing with the kids and never get anything done. Scrubbing and cleaning and gardening I think should all count too. Ok so you can't really scrub with kids, but gardening can be a family activity. Walking out to a compost pile or sending a kid to is a daily task that gets us out.
We do walks under the guise of exploring. Big yard helps, a lot. We get way more exercise at my mother in law's quarter acre. Just kicking balls and throwing and fetching frizbees. You can make your own frizbee golf course, as simple as you want. And then you have to walk back and forth. And it can be fun too...
When C needs a run he loves to get "timed". I can get him running back and forth for a good 10-15 minutes that way. That is something we started on the sidewalks in Fayetteville. The older they get, the more responsible they are about it.
I just realized I misspelled "energy." LOL. Oops. Aly, I highly recommend anything by Omron. Being married to a computer geek, I did my research before I purchased one and consistently found that any Omron pedometer received high reviews. The one I use is the Omron HJ-150. I think you can find that one at Walgreens for about $20. It's a great investment and I found that seeing those steps go up was a great motivator to keep walking! :-) Good luck and I'm really enjoying your blog! Since losing weight I've really enjoyed living a healthy lifestyle and I love reading tips from people that enjoy the same. :-)
ReplyDelete