Smarter Health: Smarter Way of Thinking

[Jenn D.]

Busy moms know it's hard to schedule anything that's not kid-, house-, or work-related. Mom-time flies out the window before lunch as the to-do list gets longer and longer. And, when we do get a free minute or two, we usually have a personal list of things to tick off like clean our closets, find summer sandals, renew our drivers license, or take a shower.

When you're busy, one of the hardest things to start, and stick to, is exercise. We see it as either a luxury (45 minutes of uninterrupted mom time!) or a chore (ugh, 45-minutes of exercise!). But it's time we realize it's a necessity. And if we start to think of it like that, we may just squeeze it into our busy days, just as we squeeze in laundry, dusting, e-mails, dinner, and a zillion other things.

I've been trying to lose weight for 9 months without the scale budging. About 2 months ago I decided to start running, I also signed up for this 4-mile race. I knew that to complete this race, I would have to run a few times a week. That changed my perspective on exercise, and it became a necessity more than a luxury or chore. I started scheduling it in every other day, and not feeling guilty about it. I finished the race, and I even started to see the scale move in the right direction.

What kind of exercise do you like to do? How do you squeeze it into your busy day?

[mrswillie]

I work out 6 days a week and take 2 walks a week with y family.  Usually I get up, get coffee and check my computer, then it's off to my workout.  I started with Wii Fit, and am now using EA Sports 2 9 week hard program.  We also have a treadmill, bowflex, elliptical, step machine and exercise bike.

[kgmmw]

I do Zumba 4 times a week and strength class twice a week for an hour each time.

[marie85]

Over the past 3 years I've done lots of things for months at a time. I did some light weight training , jogging, bicycling , jump roping, yoga and Pilate's. I stay more active with the kids walking ,climbing and playing at the park. I lost 40lbs. Been slacking on physical activity for a couple weeks. Need to start up a routine again. Thinking weight training and something cardio 3 times a week. Need to lose the last 10lbs.

[ceciliam]

I'm always changing it up. I like to do Kettlenetics, Fitness Evolved on Kinect, treadmill, free weights and recently I've been working out with our heavy bag (boxing)....it's fun!

[fraujones]

I don't exercise enough. I have an exercise bike at home that I use once in awhile. 

[lizzig]

 wish i could squeeze some exercise into my days.  it's so hard & when i'm finally done running around i don't have the energy.  the kids & i have been walking allot more recently which is better than nothing.

[Audreesmommy757]

i like running 

[othermom]

Also after I do my walk on the tread mill I use my two year old as a weight to lift. She loves it and gets mad if I don't do it