Tips for fitting exercise in your day

[wagonmonkey]

I have been thinking about this for the past year or so, and have learned some tips and came up with a few of my own. Just thought about sharing them with you (of course when we are already one week into the challenge- hee hee- seriously, not planned as a handicap). I would love to get some other ideas from you guys as well to help me out.

Ok, I am not an expert with exercise or a doctor, so obviously, the usual disclaimer to consult an expert stands. These are things I have started due to common sence (or it seems to be common sence to me). A couple of weeks ago I was watching a tv show about dieting and exercise on tv and they said that between the same mass (weight) of muscle and fat, the fat consumes 1/50 th the amount of energy that the muscle does. Needless to say, I turned off the tv and did some weight exercises. Increased muscle means a higher metabolism.

My tips (feel free to provide yours!):
I believe the thighs are the largest muscle group in your body. Build them up and your metabolism and stamina increase. It is very easy to factor in a few squats and pliees in a day. I usually do them when doing housework. Just take a short break, do about 10-20 in a row. Go back to what you are doing. In a while do another repetition. Do as many as you are comfortable with.

If you don't have some already, buy some small arm weights. Have them close to where your children are playing (but safely stored so they don't pick them up and drop them on their toes). When playing with your kids, pull them out and do some arm weights. Play inbetween repetitions for a break. Work your way up to longer repetitions and heavier weights. 5 minutes of this a few times each week and you will notice a difference.

An obvious one, take your lo for a walk. Make sure if they are able to walk, take them out of the stroller or wagon once in a while to let them walk. Best to get them used to walking early. Better for their overall fitness in the long run, rather than having been used to being carted around everywhere. My 3 year old jogs everywhere with us and refuses to use the wagon, even for walks of 5 km or more.

Play outside with your los. Go to the park, or hang out in the back yard. Bring a playground ball and kick it around. When they are older, teach them how to skip rope. Go to the local playground and climb on it with your kids. It is great for your strength and range of motion. Play tag with them. Go on the swings. Anything that is different movement than you are used to.

Invest in some 10 or 15 minute workout DVDs. I am finding I don't have the time to do long workouts. I hate coreography so the traditional aerobic workouts are not for me. I have discovered that interval training is much more to my liking, as are weight training workouts. It is much easier to commit to 10-15 minutes than it is to 30-45 minute workouts and easier to continue with them.

If you have a VCR or PVR or something to record off the tv, record some exercise shows. I did this a few years ago and found it was great for variety. The show I picked had a bit of everything: aerobics, boxing, step, rebounder, muscle conditioning, yoga, you name it. Great to find out what I actually like to do.

Use your stairs. If you have stairs in your home, or even outside your home, use them. Walk up them, then go down and then up until you are tired. If possible, pick up the pace.

Sorry for the long post, but thought it would be good to share. I could also use some extra tips myself since I am NOT a gym kind of gal!

[matilda s mum]

thanks wagonmonkey - a good starter for ten...
though must admit to having a giggle at the idea of you doing ballet moves while doing your housework! would love to see that one!

one of my tips is to alternate the side on which you carry your LO to vary the weight distribution and work out both arms - not just one!

doing simple things like pelvic floor exercises while cooking!

and doing sit-ups first thing in the morning to get you going and get you thinking about your abdominal muscles - that way you are more likely to remember them and pull them in throughout the day to stabilise your core muscles.

[wagonmonkey]

Great ideas MM! I know I am soooo bad for carrying my little girl on the same side. Gets that side strong, but not the other!

Yeah, around the house, I don't really care how it looks. It is funny because the kids imitate me sometimes, bobbing up and down!


Also forgot, when I heard the tip of doing the squats, it was from a mommy. Pick up your lo, hold them against your chest and use their weight for extra resistance! Now that's a workout!

[Rachael1]

Good ideas there.

I take Evie for a walk every day at least once, mostly twice (one just before lunch and then usually another one to meet her dad from work late afternoon either before/after dinner.)

I do sit-ups once I put Evie to bed. I have wood flooring/tiles on the downstairs floors so need the carpet on the landing! The routine there kinda helps me to remember.

Hubby just bought a Wii for us. We've been playing tennis for an hour once Evie is in bed. Might have to give it a rest tonight tho cos me arm is flippin' killing me!

[Claire76]

I take Finlay for a walk every day up to our local high street, we are out for about an hour and I am walking the whole time so that's good. But one thing I am going to start doing is instead of sitting on my backside watching my fav TV programmes, I will use my stepper machine thingy and do that whilst watching instead, that way I'm not missing what I want to watch and I am exercising when I would normally be piling on the pounds!!