I know how important exercise is. I know all of the benefits. And believe me, I know that I could use some of those benefits right about now! There is just one slight problem....I absolutely have no motivation! Exercise to me, is well, not always fun. I know I need to just get up and do it and make a habit of it. Then maybe it will be fun again.
Here are a few more issues:
- I have tried gym memberships. I don't go often enough and it is painful to see the money wasted.
- I have bought home workout videos. But trying to work out with kids at my feet or tugging on my shirt or wanting something every other minute, only discourages me more! Not only do I turn if off, I am then ornery at my kids for just being kids!
- I don't like to run. This makes going on a morning jog not so desirable!
- Because I love shopping and clothes, I have bought "cute" workout clothes in hopes that I will be excited to wear them and therefore, exercise in them.
I haven't always been this unmotivated to exercise. I just need to get back into action! I have a goal to drop at least ten pounds in the coming months. Oh, and I would like to shed a few inches from the not so loved areas of my body!!
I know many of my readers are avid exercisers. So to you, am I a lost cause? I need some suggestions. Have any of you had similar experiences? How do you exercise with kids and not get frustrated and just quit? Please send me your words of wisdom.
All I need is a gentle nudge.......okay maybe a hefty shove! Nontheless, I am ready to do this!
16 comments:
I know what you mean about the big "E". :) I had a goal to get up early to exercise -- before the kids woke up -- but that didn't happen but a few times. I had to be realistic. So now I exercise during nap/quiet time. My oldest doesn't nap, so I let her watch me exercise (I do Tae Bo with Billy Blanks usually) and when I'm not using the stretch bands or the lighter weights, she tries exercising right along with me. When my kids were a lot younger, I put a child gate in the hallway so that they were forced to stay out of the living room. I made sure they had a lot of things to do, though. :) It's definitely not easy to keep the kids out of your way, but if it's a habit, they'll get the idea and eventually learn to leave your legs alone (yeah, I had kids crawling on me when I was trying to do sit-ups. :) ). :)
When I do sit-ups/push-ups, etc. I consider the children extra resistance, making the exercise more beneficial. The older kids often exercise along with me, and they are in charge of staying out of my way so they don't get kicked or something. I usually try to exercise when Josh is available to hold Sophie and keep Ryan out of the way. But if he's not available, I put Sophie in the bouncer and encourage the older kids to play with the younger kids. Since we've made it a habit, they know that I will not help them with anything while I'm exercising. It's my time and they can wait a half hour or get themselves their own drinks. I know. It sounds harsh. I have also explained to them how exercise can make me healthier and happier and I'll be able to do more for and with them if they leave me alone for a half hour or so every day. Good luck! I'm trying to drop another 20-25 lbs. We'll cheer each other on!
I'm trying to get back in myself...almost a month off of the gym from sick kids constantly! BUT...I've learned that probably 80% of losing weight is changing your food habits and while you still need to exercise, even if you just change a few key food habits, you can lose that weight!! BIG ones, take a 1-2 break from treats! Then when you reintroduce, ONLY have them very occasionally. Don't eat past 7pm...this is HUGE! And eat only protein and veggies for dinner. For exercise motivation I would find something you love and commit to something SMALL, 10 minutes 3x a week and then increase your goal from there. Try rollerblading or riding a bike. Get a trailer for the little ones to ride behind you. If you make small goals and increase them each week you'll be successful. Personally I keep committing to 5gym workouts a week, so if I miss then I can still get 3 workouts in, but my kids have kept me from there for too long...so I'm remotivating with you!
I have also loved my new cookbook. It's the Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. Everyone in the family has loved the new recipes. It has made a huge difference for me. I haven't changed everything to low fat, because kids need fat. But just throwing in a few new dinners and changing my lunch and snack habits have helped me lose a lot of weight, even being unable to exercise because of illness.
Tif has a marathon blog that I can't find right now. Her friend Jen posted these runners rules that I just loved. One of them says that the later in the day it gets, the harder it is to excercise. That I know to be absolutely true. So whatever works for you, do it early. There's my 2 cents. :-)
You've got to read either Five Factor Fitness or Five Factor diet books (which I have and you are welcome to borrow). This workout really helped me loose the weight after my last pregnancy. The workout is given in detail in the book and it only takes 30 min. It's a very efficient workout with cardio and weights. 5 min of cardio, 10 min of stregnth training, 5 min of abs, and at least 5 more minutes of cardio. I use a jump rope, or make up a short aerobic routine....anything to get the heart rate up. It tells exactly how many reps, how long and how to constantly adjust the workout so it's harder for the body to adjust to the workout. It also has very good nutritional advice. The workout is 5 days a week (Wed and Sunday off) which sounds like a lot, but it's only 30 min. I'm not tempted to skip working out cause it's so short. When I get up in the morning I put on my workout clothes and then I get about my routine of the day and when I have a 30 min window open up-I just start the workout cause I'm alreay dressed for it. If you want to get really serious about the food he has recipes and guidelines. And you get a cheat day to eat whatever you want. I really like this cause I don't have to come up with anything-it's all laid out for me. Sorry this ended being so long.
ok...my suggestion is to start just walking. Walk in your own neighborhood. Walk with friends. I remember doing this and we sort of kept each other motivated. Actually, my friends would throw pebbles at my bedroom window if I wasn't outside at o-dark thirty. But seriously, some of my dearest lifelong friends and memories are with those I walked with. If you push yourself for the first little while you'll miss it when you don't do it. You can always work more into your routine later, but it's just a matter of starting. Put a big "x" on your calendar the day you start and keep marking it off. You'll be amazed at how motivated you will become.
I'm sorry, I will be no help to you whatsoever. Because I feel EXACTLY like you do. I need motivation too. I have enjoyed these comments. Great post.
I'm definitely not an expert and I struggle with losing weight. For me it's a continuous recommitment. I have to recommit myself every week if not every day. I love all the comments that have been given, and I especially agree with the one about changing your eating habits. I find that no matter how much I exercise I really don't see the results I want to unless I change my eating habits. When it all comes down to it the best thing that has worked for me is counting calories. Make sure you are getting a balanced diet, don't eat too many sweets, and count calories. You lose weight when you are burning more calories than you are taking in.
Another funny motivation I have discovered is to report on my blog how much weight I lose every week. The accountability factor really motivates me because I don't want to report that I haven't lost anything. Good luck!
You really look great- are you sure you have weight to lose?
I am wondering about taking a dance class. You have always loved that. Don't know if that is possible in the area where you. Just thought this would be a different kind of suggestion and it is something that you love. Are there some CD's that you could get that you could dance everyday on the dance class that you would be taking.I went to Miss Utah last weekend and one thing that all the girls did was a very difficult workout to music. I don't know what that is called (you would) but it sure used lots of calories. Grandpa and I said that we felt very worn out just watching them. You could even make up your own routines and let the boys join in. Grandma Roush
I believe that it is called kick-boxing, but I am not sure. I have heard that term used before but not sure it that is the term used, but the girls were all doing it in a formation. Grandma Roush
I know you said you've tried the gym...but did you ever go to a group fitness class? That was probably the first thing that I did which made all the difference for me. The classes are scheduled every week, you put it on your calendar, take the kids to the kids care, and your workout is done AND fun! I also agree that you just have to start somewhere...walks are great. Get a friend. Do workout videos WITH someone else. Join the gym WITH someone. Sign up for a race. Even a 5K...it forces you to run! Also, what you eat is probably 100 times more important than how you workout. Check out fitmepink.blogspot.com for more workout ideas. Good luck...just start until it becomes a habit! Do it at the same time every day! And remember that it really can be fun if you set goals and work to reach them!
My biggest motivation has been my ward workout group. If it weren't for them I don't think I would be as motivated to kick my butt everyday. There is something about feeling the burn with a group that makes it so much more bareable. One evening I had the inspiration to get the women in my ward to do workout videos at the church, and it will be one year on April 7. We are going to celebrate our victories on our anniversary by having a girls night. It's a great motivator and I have become such close friends with them, plus the word is spreading and more women come all the time, and the kids leave us alone because they have friends to play with, Oh and it's FREE if you all put your videos together, or find one you all love. We do P90X:)
Don't quit! I'm like you too. I don't have kids... it's just the big "L" word, LAZINESS! What I try to do every other night before I go to bed is do sit-ups and push-ups. Also, STAY MOTIVATED!
Find a friend to go with you and go. Go for a walk, not run. I push my kiddos in the stroller, it adds extra effort/reward and they are happy and not bugging me or interrupting. Go for a bike ride, it doesn't seem so much like exercise, especially if you go with someone and have someone to talk with while you ride. I have a bike trailer for my lil ones and they love it. They get snacks and drinks and scenery, I get a great workout. Having a friend to work with is great, it helps keep you going when you aren't as motivated. If you want, call me, I'm most always up to go, I need the exercise too! Once you get going and lose some weight, you get more motivated!
Problem solved. Move back to Utah and join the women's class:) Sorry, probably not so helpful. I don't know Megan, everyone is so different. For me, I don't like to exercise by myself. So I have a gym membership but I have to do the classes. They're fun and upbeat and I do a different one each day so I don't get bored. I get all my kids off to school & head over. It's a lot harder when you have kids at home still. But some places have a daycare. Just a thought.
Post a Comment