Exercise?
ByI told you that I didn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions or set any specific goals for the year. However, I really do want to try to exercise more often.
I wish I enjoyed exercising more than I do. I often use my asthma as an excuse not to exercise…but ultimately I know that consistent exercise would be good for my lungs.
My other really good excuse for not exercising is that I live in Nebraska and being outside for any activity other than scraping ice off of the windshield is not really possible for about six months out of the year.
If I had to pick a favorite form of exercise, it would be my mini trampoline. I can use it inside, any day of the year (as opposed to this one, but boy that sure was fun). It’s easy on my knees and shins…it’s good for the immune system. It actually feels pretty good. WHY do I not used it regularly? I don’t know.
Have any exercise advice for me? Are you good at exercising? What is your favorite form of indoor exercise? What time of day do you exercise? How in the world do you motivate yourself to exercise regularly?
Hey, actually….does typing count as exercise? I am pretty fast at it and do it quite regularly. How about switching out laundry? Running up and down the stairs a million times a day to get what I need? Aha! I’ve got it! Nertz! I can totally work up a sweat playing Nertz!
And here I thought I didn’t get enough exercise.
Okay, but really…any advice on the above questions would be great.
—————————————————
This post is linked to Backwards Works for me Wednesday.
I’m up here in Canada – and we are also in a deep freeze for at least 6 months of the year. And I CAN’T STAND the cold! I have long johns and snow pants and all the snow gear you can possibly imagine for those times I can’t avoid going out. (My husband thinks I’m hilarious). I’m active outdoors during the summer months, but during the winter I count running after 3 boys under the age of 4 as my exercise. The number of times I dash up and down the stairs, around and around the living room, plus “weight-lifting” that many pounds of children – it’s a mom’s equivalent of a home gym!
[Reply]
I so agree. I was in the Air Force and I had a regular exercise program at the base gym (very convenient, free, and state-of-the-art machines, plus a strong commander-directed suggestion to stay physically fit.) Then when babies came just taking care of them was my exercise. Now that my babies are 12 and 14 (ahem) I need to exercise a bit more. At my age I’m beginning to creak a little. I’ve always hated running with a passion, but my exercise of choice is bike riding. An indoor bike is a great way to read. Exercising in place is very boring.
[Reply]
I think that it’s all about ACCOUNTABILITY. I have plenty of motivation – a wedding in September, a trip to Florida in November, and running 2 miles in 16 minutes as part of my black belt test (which isn’t for another 2 years, but I have to start preparing now!). I have at least 80 pounds to lose – I can do it (Phil 4:13) but I know from personal experience that I have to have accountability. Maybe you would be interested in having some type of exercise accountability reporting . . . each day we ‘report’ what we did and for how long – - I walked on the treadmill for 5 minutes – - that’s it, no lengthy details.
Same subject – different twist . . . When I plan my menus, I try to ensure we’re getting a varied choice: Chicken on Monday, beef on Tuesday, Meat-Free on Wednesday, etc. Maybe we could take this approach with exercise – Rebounder (or jump roping) on Mondays, Walking on Tuesdays, Weight-Lifting on Wednesdays, Bicycling on Thursdays, etc. I know that we all don’t have access to a gym or all the equipment at home, but we all have great minds and we could be creative!
One last thought – - I heard a lady recently say that she committed to moving 30 minutes a day. Some may not be able to do that – I know that when I first started walking, it was tough getting up to 5 (yes, FIVE) minutes. Maybe you could start with 5 minutes a day for 5 days a week. The next week, up the time limit to 10 minutes, then 20, etc.
[Reply]
ExerciseTV is really great. You can workout at home and they actually have fun exercise videos with celebrity trainers who are extremely motivating! My favorites are the Yoga and Pilates videos but they offer tons of other workout-types as well. You can also check out exercisetv.tv for free downloads and workout plans!
[Reply]
Having both parents having heart issues is a great motivator for me. I also know I do better with variety and discovered Faithful Workouts on TV. Because it’s challenging and different daily I can stay motivated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vqP7dywK44
[Reply]
I’m determined to exercise regularly this year. I need to lose about 15lbs. and I’m hoping it will help me sleep better and vent the built up homeschooling-3-kids-in-the-winter frustration. So this is my strategy. I use a few different workout videos. The FIRM has some good ones. Plus I have one of those 10 minute pilates dvd’s from WalMart. Sometimes the library has ones you can try out. Also, if you join Netflix, they have TONS of workout dvds and you can keep them as long as you want. I trade with a friend of mine. DISCLAIMER: I am NOT super coordinated. My family frequently comes into the room to laugh at me. But never the less, it feels so good to do something for just me and I tend to be less cranky. I’m trying to squeeze in 30 minutes just after bathtime/before bedtime prayers at least 4-5 days a week. I’m also finding that this helps me resist the “kids are in bed and now I will raid the fridge” temptation. Good luck with it!
[Reply]
Mine is to lose weight. I’ve done pretty good so far but I have more to go. Good luck with yours :D
[Reply]
Cleaning your house is good exercise and keeps your home looking nice :) A two-for-one sale!
I lost weight this past year using Weight Watchers Online program–basically cutting down the amount of food I ate. Just have to stick with it, clean the house, and lift Kettlebells with hubby (consistently) and I think I have found what works for me.
Oh yeah, and chasing around our two toddler/preschool boys, yeah that counts as my daily exercise too!
[Reply]
My wife and I have been working out with kettlebells for the past year and have gotten great results. It’s very intense and challenging, but you can get a good workout in a relatively short amount of time. Working out together helps to keep us accountable for our progress and make sure we don’t slack off.
Ken Whidden, DC
Emerald Coast Chiropractic
[Reply]
Hi Laura!
I’m a little behind on reading up on your blog, but wanted to chime in about exercise. I have been doing Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred and it is great. She is not boring and from warm up to cool down the total time is about 25 minutes. She has 3 levels and you just work at your own pace and move up a level when your ready. If you have Netflix you can check it out through them before you buy it.
Amy:o)
[Reply]