On Monday nights I spend an hour twisting my body into completely unnatural positions. I believe they call it yoga/Pilates. I won't tell you what I call it. This week, in between thoughts of, "she wants me to do WHAT? Yeah right!" and contemplating the certainty of my impending death, I wondered what you guys do for exercise.
Yes, I really did think of all of you while twisting myself into something closely resembling a pretzel.
Yes, I really was blogging in my head while listening to "positive energy in, negative energy out"...yada, yada, yada...WHATEVER! Come on. You can't tell me you don't find yourself blogging at strange moments. Please tell me I'm not the only one.
Besides the once a week torture session, I walk up and down the stairs to my computer. Don't laugh...it's something. I also walk right past my treadmill on the way to the computer and mentally beat myself up for not having set foot on it since we moved. Sigh...
OK, so who would like to answer my bloggity exercise question? What do you do to keep yourself in shape? More importantly, how do you keep motivated to exercise? You would think looking in the mirror would be enough to motivate me, but alas, it doesn't seem to be working. Please people, share your secrets!
Motivation...I got a small dose of that the other night. We went riding and I fell off my bike! Years ago, I would have had a huge bruise! Now, there is "enough" padding to make a softer landing. I am not sure that is a good thing!
When I started out 2 years ago, I could not and would not exercise without the accountability of my 2 friends who are waiting for me each morning. We meet at one friend's house for my first of many cups of *coffee* at 5:45am, and then we head out on our run (or walk) after that.
Thankfully the accountability has given way to discipline, and while I still can't say ,"Oh, yay! I get to run," I do appreciate the supposed benefits to my body and the great way it makes me feel (afterwards, of course). I only say "supposed" because instead of losing weight, I've actually gained....argh...
That's how I exercise...Irregurlarly.
During the school year I'm much more disciplined and use a Kathy Smith exercise tape, but during the summer (besides the fact it's soooo hot!) uh, not so much.
My husband is opening a personal training business within the next few months. I've said I'd love to be one of his first clients...for free, of course! Yes, accountaility would be great for me.
BTW, twice now I've heard Kathy Troccoli on your blog. She's my all time favorite Christian recording artist. I'm so glad you've got her on here!
Love,
Karen
http://www.surviving-motherhood.blogspot.com/
Well, honestly for the past few weeks...nothing. But before that I was doing a program called couch to 5k. It's a great running program to get back into shape. You can find it on www.coolrunning.com I was also doing some light weight lifting so my "tube arms" would get defined. I have done yoga a bit and I enjoy it. Now I am convicted to go back to the gym. Thanks for making me tell you what I'm not doing.
Tara
the mirror is my motivation. i'm not fat or even overweight but i have a very stretched out (3 kids) flabby tummy. i have not found anything that works for that (but i haven't stopped eating cake either). i walk at least 3 times a week, most of the time i can do 5 days. i do sit ups and lift weights (in my home --free weights). but i still don't feel like i'm accomplishing my goal to loose the belly fat. but maybe it is helping me maintain my current weight.
I need some motivation! Lately, I wake up achy and I've blamed our mattress but I really think lack of exercise is the reason. Perhaps I should check out some yoga type routine.
Oh girl, you should live in my house with a hubby that is a gym freak! He's at the gym 4-5 days a week for 3-4 hours at a time and actually loves it. So, I've tried to be good since I married him--I've tried the pilates and kick boxing and all of that. The pilates almost killed me. And, I hate lifting weights. I actually don't like the gym at all. BUT, I love to run. So sweet hubby bought me a treadmill so that I didn't have to run outside on the pavement and in the heat! I love it! I turn on my fan, turn up the Chris Daughtry and I run at least 4 times a week now. It has really made a difference in my slowing down metabolism!
Find someone that is the same height and around the same weight....watch them/hear about them lose 10 lbs....that motivates me!
(I'm talking Gayle here.)
I've started walking each day, but I am a big starter...not a big finisher. I'm 20 lbs overweight, and would love for it to faaaallllll off, ya know? you're not alone.
I just found your blog and smiled....I like your question and had to answer. I am a mommy to four little ones, ages 6 and under...I have two sons that can not walk, one due to being my special Mister and one cause he is a baby :) so....my "work out" is my kiddos.....carrying them, cleaning their clothes, shopping for them, kissing them, teaching them, and dancing with them.....ALL my God given work out.....do I love it? ABSOLUTELY!
Well, you can take one look at my picture and know I am not motivated by anything... You would think I would get motivated by something, anything, when it is hard to find clothes to fit, and you get out of breath just thinking about doing something, but alas, I still sit. Actually, I feel like I am a very busy person, just not busy in the ways that count physically.
I applaud your efforts to make time for exercise and hopefully, some day soon, I will find my motivation as well.
Motivation? My big giant butt. But that motivation doesn't keep me from having a bowl of ice cream most nights.
My favorite thing I've done (other than some machines at the Y) is a dvd I ordered online called Slim in Six. I think it is a well-rounded work out, there are three levels of difficulty, and the girl doing NEVER annoys me. THAT is why I like it. :) But did I do it today? Naaaah.
I feel the same way you do, I used to anyway. I recently determined to do something about my lack of daily exercise. So, every morning my 10 year old son and I head out for a brisk walk around the town. I posted a blog on it a few days ago...
www.promisechristianacademy.blogspot.com
Hilda
Ok, now I feel convicted!
I would say that I do NOTHING!
My mom brought over her pilates machine for me a month ago, but I haven't touched it. I have one DVD of 3 10 minute "QuickFix" workouts. You wouldn't believe how whipped I feel at the end of one of them, but hey, everyone has time for 10 minutes right?!? (Haven't touched them in 9 months anyway!)
I thought about jumping on the trampoline with the kids; it's a great workout, but after 4 kids, my bladder isn't thrilled about all that jumping if you know what I mean...
What I'd really like to do is get up earlier so that I can ride my bike before my husband goes to work and then shower and still have devotions. This week I'm working on the up, shower, devotions; hopefully I can add the biking next week. I'm tired of having my clothes feel tight, and I don't want to spend the money buying clothes that I don't want to fit! I've tried to motivate myself with the promise of a NICE new pair of jeans after I shed some weight, but that hasn't resulted in much as of yet.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
