Thursday, March 25, 2010

Suggestions from the readers


I'm sure that all of us know that we need to keep our bodies healthy and that part of that is getting enough exercise. The hard part is finding the time and energy to do it. For me, just taking care of my 3 kids and trying to stay on top of the dishes and laundry takes most of my time. Then of coarse once the kids are in bed I'm too exhausted to want to exercise! So I am wondering if any of you have found an answer to this notorious mommy exercise issue.

How do you find time and/or energy to exercise?

14 comments:

Paty said...

I found that what works best for me is to exercise first thing in the morning while my girls are still sleeping. If I don't do this, then usually I feel too tired later in the day and end up skipping on the exercise. I usually just fast walk on the treadmill for like 30 min.

Unknown said...

I am also terrible when it comes to exercising. But the other day some of my tenants invited me for a yoga session, and I loved it! I know I won't build up my muscles with yoga, but my breathing and flexibility will improve. I still need to make it a habit, but I will work on it. Maybe I'll buy a yoga video so I'm able to do it at my house and whenever it is best for me.

And when the warm weather comes, I'll be more motivated to do something outside like going on walks.

Aline Carson said...

Yeah, I think the best thing is to have a treadmill at home and do it before the kids wake up. You really need the motivation and will power to do this though. Because for me each minute of sleep is precious. Jasmine has been waking up a lot in the middle of the night lately and I just wake up exhausted. And the only reason I wake up when I do is because the kids wake me up. Otherwise I'd stay in bed longer.

Liesl said...

Aline, I'm with you! Every moment of sleep is precious to me! But hopefully soon I can get more sleep and I would LOVE to get out of bed and exercise and read scrips before they wake up.

Dri, I love Pilates! Yoga doesn't do as much for me, but I like it too. Have you ever tried pilates? I do a movie called "Stott Pilates - intermediate". I had a personal trainer that introduced me to that after I had my 2nd child and that got all the baby fat off and toned me up in just a few months. The prob. is that the kids think I'm fun to jump on and play on while I am on the ground doing it.

Liesl said...

Paty, I need you to come over and push me out of bed so I can do that, lol! But I agree that's the only time of the day that I am going to have the energy to do it!

Unknown said...

Pilates? Never heard of it, I'll look it up! Thanks

Aline Carson said...

As soon as my toe gets better I'll start exercising! ;)

Paty said...

Well, there are times when I definetely don't have the energy to exercise and I'll just skip it for the day. Oh, and when I say I exercise first thing in the morning...that's around 8 or 8:30 am. My girls don't wake up till 9am so I can sleep in if I want to, but usually end up waking up around 7. However, it's nice to have the freedom of staying in bed longer if I have to.

The Tchongas said...

I love pilates!
My favorite thing now is classes at the gym. Right after having Olivia I didn't want to exercise because in my head it meant time away from her, but now I have a discount at golds gym through work and daycare there is free with this deal, so I go, take her with me, she plays with her little friends, and one hour later, we go home. I am SUPER excited for summer because I love being outside! We are planning some hikes and park activities, so it'll be easier. during the winter here in UT it kinda sucks to go anywhere. But I think having some workout dvds are helpful when it's too cold outside. I have winsor pilates, the biggest loser cardio max and jillian michaels 30day shred, all of which are awesome! :)

Liesl said...

Yes, you have to try Pilates!!! They are a lot like Yoga but more aerobic. Lots of ballerinas and gymnists do them.

Kika, I am going to rent those pilates dvds and try them :) It's always fun to try new ones. You are lucky to have a gym membership with daycare! I've tried gyms and like the child free workout, especially with instructors...but I am really self conscience and feel uncomfortable working out in front of others. I know I shouldn't but I just can't help it. And I love outdoor workouts as well! Today I am headed to walk around a small lake with the kids. I can't wait till all of them are old enough to enjoy hiking with me. Every now and then I get brave and take the kids on a hike but always end up carrying them and their stuff; not too fun.

Aline, tell your toe to hurry up and get better!

Mara Rúbia said...

Ahhhh... Eu sou tão enrolada pra me exercitar... Na academia, nunca fui muito fã de fazer musculação, sempre gostei mais das aulas, que são mais animadas e dinâmicas... Portanto, não tenho muito ânimo pra me exercitar sozinha em casa... às vezes eu ligo o videogame e fico dançando naquele tapete... (hahaha... já queima algumas calorias)... Mas no final, acabo só fazendo algumas caminhadas umas 3 vezes por semana...

Liesl said...

Mara, I love dancing for exercise too...sometimes it's all I can do WITH the kids and they love it as well. We have to make sure all the curtains are shut though so that no one will see how bad of a dancer I am. ha ha ha.

Heidi Miller said...

I am also all about having a treadmill at home and doing it before the kids wake up. If you don't/can't have a treadmill at home, do what I did to lose 18 pounds after my last baby . . . do other intense combination cardio/weight workouts. Circuit training is what I have heard it called. If you workout hard, you really only need 30 minutes. Jillian Michaels has some great workout videos out there that are actually fun and not cheesy and range from 20 to 45 minutes long. Don't get her Biggest Loser ones, get the actual Jillian Michaels ones. Anyway, good luck. It takes a while to start the habit, but you can do it! Btw, ALINE . . . how do I get my picture up at the top as well since I am a contributor? Do I send you a pic of me and the kids?Let me know.

Jenny Taylor said...

I also do the DVD's at home.Or try to anyway...I have a Pilate quick workout that lets me pick 10min workouts,or combine them. I usually end up doing 30 min.I try to do them 3 times a week, but have been quite a slacker and haven't done any this month!The time I try to do them is usually when my oldest is at preschool, but it doesn't always work!