How do you make time for exercise? Share your ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Charmaine on September 5, 2009 at 6:53pm

Every day, usually after supper, my teenage daughter and I go for a walk with our dog. We walk up hills and then down the same hills, for about 40 minutes. We also share a newspaper route, two times a week, with many stairs. (Though she receives the paycheque, I do enjoy the exercise and making her job less time-consuming).

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Permalink Reply by bonnie on September 5, 2009 at 7:13pm

I have gone from where I couldn't walk to walking
4 miles 5 days a week. I walk our kids to school
and home. It is nice because going there i get to
talk with the kids and coming home in the morning
I have time for myself. Same in the afternoon going
to the school i've time for me coming home i talk with
the kids about there day. For me excise is a must even
if i don't want to do it. I have excise for my back to stay
pain free for life.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Shepard on September 6, 2009 at 8:21am

High fives to both of you, Charmaine and Bonnie! By making physical activity part of your daily routines, you're increasing the likelihood of sticking with it. By being active with your kids, you're teaching them about healthy living by example. Keep up the great work, and thanks for sharing!

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Permalink Reply by Joanna Trusdle on September 6, 2009 at 12:26pm

Hi Beth - Like you, I find I have to just make the time, no matter what or how I feel. When I consider skipping, I remind myself how good it will feel - and I will feel - when I'm finished exercising. I also remind myself how good my jeans feel on me now that I have lost those extra 'love handles'. It works for me.

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Permalink Reply by Charmaine on September 6, 2009 at 1:27pm

My favourite exercise is bike riding. There are many trails where we live. I usually go with my teenage daughter. My youngest one is learning to bike ride, so I sometimes go for short bike rides with her.

My husband, son and daughters don't enjoy bike riding as much as I do, which disappoints me. But the teenage daughter will go "to be nice".

Her favourite exercise is still hiking uphill with me (which we do every day). At least we don't have to worry about rain, then!

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Permalink Reply by Coni Constantine on September 7, 2009 at 3:30pm

I agree with Joanna. How I feel and look is what keeps me on track with my workouts. I schedule mine ahead of time at the beginning of each week to make sure they get done. If it's on the calendar I know I will do it! As a personal trainer and fitness coach you might assume that it is always easy for me to fit it in but that's not always the case.

Bonnie- I'm right there with you about exercise and back pain. Recovery from a serious injury almost 10 years ago is what made be commit to a fit lifestyle. So far so good and it has kept me pain free too!

Charmaine- That's awesome that you live in a place with so many trails! I would love that.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Shepard on September 8, 2009 at 3:29pm

Coni,
Isn't that the truth - even for fitness professionals, it can be a challenge to fit it in. For me, the biggest transition in my exercise routine was pre-kids and post-kids. Before kids, I could work out whenever I wanted to. With kids, blessings that they are, I have to work out when it works for my family. Thankfully, we all love to be active & hike here in the Pacific NW, so alot of our family time is active - and my husband is great about covering when I need to head to the gym or run.

Thanks for sharing - it's important for people who are struggling to fit it in to hear from others who make it work.

Coni Constantine said:

I agree with Joanna. How I feel and look is what keeps me on track with my workouts. I schedule mine ahead of time at the beginning of each week to make sure they get done. If it's on the calendar I know I will do it! As a personal trainer and fitness coach you might assume that it is always easy for me to fit it in but that's not always the case.

Bonnie- I'm right there with you about exercise and back pain. Recovery from a serious injury almost 10 years ago is what made be commit to a fit lifestyle. So far so good and it has kept me pain free too!

Charmaine- That's awesome that you live in a place with so many trails! I would love that.

i

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Permalink Reply by Beth Shepard on September 9, 2009 at 8:07am

Hi Joanna,

Absolutely - staying focused on the payoffs is a great way to keep moving forward. Good for you! Keep up the great work! One thing I've noticed now that I'm over 40 is that sure, I still want to look good, but feeling good is a bigger motivator for me to exercise. I just don't have as many aches & pains when I'm working out regularly. Thanks for the reply and have a fabulous day!

Joanna Trusdle said:

Hi Beth - Like you, I find I have to just make the time, no matter what or how I feel. When I consider skipping, I remind myself how good it will feel - and I will feel - when I'm finished exercising. I also remind myself how good my jeans feel on me now that I have lost those extra 'love handles'. It works for me.

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Permalink Reply by Marnie Gaertner on September 21, 2009 at 8:21pm

I joined classes that I had to pre pay for. If I missed I am out the money. This is the best motivation I could find. I have been doing this for 6 years now and it is such a habit, I don't even think about it any more. I have to pay for 10 week sessions in advance, it really is a great way to stay committed. If I just went to the gym I know I would find excuses not to go, other things always come up. It really does need to be a scheduled event in your day.

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Permalink Reply by Keli Honsberger on September 22, 2009 at 1:26pm

Three days a week I do Boot Camp at 6am and am home while the family is just waking up. I have also arranged to carpool the kids to school with another family so I can get a run in or head to the gym. On days when I have my scheduled group runs, I coordinate with my husband to watch the kids. He knows that running, boot camp, races, etc. are my hobby and taking time to do them is non-negotiable.

I love hearing how creative other moms are for getting in their exercise! Keep it up ladies!!

Keli

http://marinbreakfastklub.wordpress.com

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Permalink Reply by Tawanna Browne Smith on October 17, 2009 at 9:15am

I think finding some sort of exercise that you LIKE is important to maintain a good fitness regimen. Once you've done that, then you can start adding in things that you may not necessarily like but that may challenge you and force your body to make changes.

I wake up at 5 am in the morning to get my workouts in and over with for the day. If I have a late night or just can't seem to get up, I do it at night after the kids are asleep. My body is programmed to WANT to exercise now. When I don't get it in for the day, I feel a little crabby.

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Permalink Reply by Coach Jen on October 19, 2009 at 2:24am

It has been interesting to read all the replies. Way to go ladies! I recently ran the Portland Marathon with a group of long lost friends to raise money for a friend who is fighting cancer. I talk in the blog about how I managed the time with my family.
The benefits of exercise can go way beyond physical, and linking a cause only increases motivation. It's a win-win!!!
http://www.mamalode.com/2009/10/why-moms-miracles-and-marathons/

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