Getting Moving
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Health on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 9:05 PM
This is my current exercise program: nothing.
I don’t live a totally sedentary lifestyle. Keeping up with my kids and running a household means that I get a fair amount of physical activity. Thanks to my 27-lb toddler, I think my biceps are currently stronger than they’ve ever been.
More exercise in my life would be good, though. I know I’m happier when I’m in better shape. I’ve noticed that on days which include some focused exercise, I’m generally in a better mood. And frankly, I’d like to be able to push the stroller up a hill without being out of breath before I get to the top. I feel silly when that happens.
The problem with exercise, however, is that it requires a resource that is scarce when you’ve got children: time. Especially since our second child was born, it seems like my husband and I don’t have a minute to spare on evenings or weekends. Even a family walk is hard to manage most days.
I do have some downtime during the day, and I sometimes pull out my T-Tapp DVD, but I’ve found that it often comes down to a tough choice: doing the workout with my toddler hanging off my leg, or doing it during the precious hours of his nap. Neither of those choices is optimal for me.
Recently I found out that some friends of mine, two moms, do what they call a “workout trade.” They get all the kids together and one mom watches them while the other one has exercise time, then they trade. I might be able to find someone to do this with, but I’m not sure I’m committed enough to the idea of regular exercise to make it happen.
That’s what it comes down to, in the end: I don’t currently exercise regularly because it’s not enough of a priority for me to make the life changes necessary to fit it in. I’ve been feeling the pull recently, though, and I think it’s time for me to figure something out and really commit to making exercise a regular part of my routine.
Is exercise a part of your routine? I’m sure all of us moms face the time-scarcity problem - have any of you found unique or helpful solutions? Got a testimony or insight on the topic of exercise that you’d like to share?
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