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Guest Post by Judy Shriner | Originally posted August 2014
Who says you need a sports bra on to workout? Every little bit helps, so if you can throw in a few squats while picking up your little one’s fork (that she threw on the ground for the umpteenth time then laughed in your face), your butt will thank you later!
The days are getting longer and the temperatures are warming up. Now that the sun is out and warm, it’s the perfect time to form healthy habits and either start getting active or get back into being active. Here are 7 tips that can help lead you to your goals.
Bottom: Judy and oldest daughter, Bryce at an early morning race
1. Start Slow
Rome wasn’t built in a day. How many times have you heard that? A lot? Well I should hope so, because it’s true. Don’t lace up your running shoes and attempt to pound out a 6 mile run without any prior training. Take. It. Slow. Try walking for 15 minutes and increase the time each week.
2. Find a Buddy
Having a friend who enjoys being active can make all the difference in getting out the door. It also makes your workout fly by when you have some to talk to. Find a friend you have similar interests with and build from there. If you aren’t sure where to start, try posting on Facebook or Twitter when you are planning to go for a walk and see if anyone wants to join you. Lexington Mommy has an awesome Facebook group! Try posting in Lexington Mommy (Not So) Secret Clubhouse!
3. Schedule It In
Even if you don’t find a buddy to exercise with, scheduling your workouts can ensure you don’t overbook yourself. Block out some time in a planner or on a calendar app in your phone. Scheduling in your exercise can also help show you what works and what doesn’t. Did you plan on hitting a weightlifting class at the gym but never made it? Perhaps swapping that activity with an exercise DVD at home followed by a short walk with the dog will be easier to make happen.
4. Include the Family
Get your husband involved! See if your kids want to kick the soccer ball around after dinner! You will be more apt to get moving if your loved ones are moving as well.
5. Create a Vision Board and/or Log Your Small Accomplishments
This is my favorite! Figure out what motivates you or what you want to accomplish and build a vision board. It can be as simple as a picture of you from years ago where you felt comfortable in your own skin, to something excessively detailed like a smattering quotes, clippings and other Pinterest worthy images ModPodged onto a poster board. You can also keep a notebook boasting your workouts. Log how long you were active for and how it felt.
6. Sign Up for a Race
I walked my first 5k. And hated every second of it. But since that Crooked Creek 5k race up in Chapin, I’ve done everything from an 8k to a sprint triathlon. Getting over your fear of competitive races can really help build a passion for working out. Plus it’s a great way to increase your wardrobe with all the race shirts!
Editor’s Note: Seriously. You CAN do a race! Judy talked me into one and then two and then more. My two goals every time were to finish and not be last. Accomplished both every time! And had fun doing it! If I can do it, YOU can do it. Love, Kati
7. Lay Out Your Work Out Clothes
Yank out your cute running shorts, matching top and over priced sports bra. Lay them out on your dresser so when you wake up, there is no fumbling for your clothes. Again, if you are a visual learner, seeing your clothes can help inspire you to exercise.
Bonus Tips!
Combined from an earlier post Judy wrote for Lexington Mommy
Walk every day
Make it a priority to get outside, especially on the sunny days. Did you know that getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your face, arms, back, or legs is enough to generate your body’s vitamin D needs for a week? A WEEK. And what can a little sunlight do for you? It can help strengthen your bones (we women need that!), allow you to get a better night of sleep, and it really does help make you happier. Strap that baby into a carrier or stroller and take a walk around the neighborhood. Set a time each day and try to stick to it.
Play with your kid
Sounds like a given, huh? But if you’re a mother of two (or more), when was the last time you were actually on the floor playing with your children? Get down and become that silly mom, hold a plank while the little ones crawl under you and shower them with kisses each time they pass by your face. Also, remember when dancing like a fool was fun? Blast Pandora’s Disney station and rock out with them. Throw in 50 jump squat while you’re dancing, they’ll think it’s a new dance move.
Make quiet time a law
You put the youngest down for a nap and now you have the preschool staring at you, silently praying you won’t enforce their quiet time… Enforce it. Enforce it for their sake and for your sake. A child’s day is filled with so much stimulation. Their little brains are still developing and are in desperate need to recharge. You also need a break. Yes, you do need to clean. Yes, you do need to prepare dinner. Yes, you do still need to bake those egg-free cupcakes for your child’s birthday celebration tomorrow at their school. But hello?! Stop forgetting about YOUR needs. You need to take care of yourself (and your sanity) first.
Start with the quick, easy to do at home work out below:
Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes and push through a quick workout. Start with this:
- Climb the stair for 1 full minute (don’t wake the sleeping baby at the top!)
- Squat 10 times
- Perform 10 push-ups (use a coffee table or table top to perform incline push-ups if need be)
- Lunge walk around the house
- Repeat the entire circuit until your kitchen timer goes off.
You’ll end up having MORE energy by fitting in a quick workout and after a few weeks, you’ll start to see your the changes in your body.
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