Post #200!
#7: Exercise.
Oh please. Like you didn't know this was coming. It's practically a given.
I'll be honest. Since I stopped teaching fitness classes, my exercise level had dropped to an extreme low. As embarrassing at that might be, it means I see eye to eye with those who find it hard to carve out time to workout. We no longer have a gym membership so finding time (and means) to workout can be a challenge.
That said, thank goodness for the invention of a stroller. Take your kiddo(s) for a stroll for an arm and cardio workout. And if you have a jogging stroller, you can attempt to run with your child. Let me share a little secret with you, though, about running with a stroller. Hills? Not the same while pushing a stroller. Pretty sure I was running in place trying to get up the hills near our house. I wiped my brow in relief that no one saw me looking like a hamster in a wheel, trying to get up some of those hills. Keep an eye on your kiddo though, mine threw a hat I loved to the wind while I was running and I didn't find it on my back track.
Kids too old to sit in a stroller? Have them ride a bike along with you as you walk/jog/run or pull them behind in a wagon.
Don't like walking alone? Enlist a friend to walk with you. Sweet P and I walked almost 4 miles! around a lake yesterday with our friends K and L. It was sort of on accident, since L lost her hat (do you see a theme here?) and a shoe! and we had to make another lap to find them. But once I got home, I was glad we went around again. Gotta love accidental exercise!
And if all else fails, turn on some music and dance the day away. Your kids will love it (and so will you). Plus, you'll get an ab workout from all the laughter that comes with watching each other dance around.
Seriously, though. Get some exercise. If possible, do it with your kids. Seeing you physically active (and liking it), tells them it's important to get moving (and that it can be fun). Our kids aren't active enough these days (and neither are we). The benefits of physical activity are endless and include having more energy, sleeping better at night, keep sickness at bay and improving your mood! So get your rump moving. Your body, your mind and your well-being (and even your family) will most definitely thank you.
Challenge: I'm aiming for at least 30 minutes a day (which is what is recommended, how many of us really get that?). What are you aiming for?
