Oh, you just knew that this chapter was upon us after our frank discussion about self-care. I just want you to know that I am not just being Miss Preachy and I promise you that I am making serious changes with the help of this book. The changes I am seeing in myself are making me a much happier mommy.
Here are some things I have been working towards:
1. In the evenings, I am doing something quiet like knitting, reading, or spending time with my husband. I am trying to slow down in the evenings instead of running around for no reason. The same is applying to our daytime routine as well. I am trying to focus on the kids doing more stuff at home with me and less running around. Less running around= less money spent!
2. I replaced some things that needed replacing. Without going into details, I recruited my best girlfriend to go shopping with me and I finally forked over the money and threw out items that needed replacing. It was huge- like, a HUGE deal.
3. I made appointments and kept them. I visited my chiropractor, got my medical massage, kept a follow-up exam with my doctor, and went to my annual. I should be just about perfect after all of that.
4. I am purging a ton of stuff out of our house- three carloads so far! This stuff has been weighing me down and needed to go. It is mostly clothing, but I have been adding items little by little, as I see it, to the trunk and then taking a load over to the Goodwill each day. This is so good for my emotional well-being and it is creating more space in our home too!
Today we are going to talk about exercise or the lack of exercise in our lives. Since I have had Emily, I have not been exercising, and I can give you excuse after excuse for why I have not been engaging in regular exercise. It usually starts with, “I am so busy…” I am petite and people can’t necessarily tell that I don’t exercise regularly, but I am sluggish by midday and my body isn’t toned anymore. I have back problems and regular exercise would really benefit this, but I always have an excuse for why I can’t do it. Really, there are a hundred reasons why I SHOULD exercise and a hundred reasons why I DON’T exercise.
In the book, “How Did I Get So Busy?” the author offers these suggestions for making exercise a regular routine in your life.
1. Give yourself a range of success. Just as the author recommended in the self-care chapter, she reminds us that we don’t have to do everything perfect. Make a goal, but don’t beat yourself up if your goal was six days of exercise and you only managed three. Make three days a minimum goal for yourself and do the best you can and make it something that works for you.
2. Make it quick and convenient. Try aiming for just thirty minute sessions and do what fits best with your schedule. If going to the gym doesn’t work for you right now, stick to a workout DVD. If you can’t manage either, try a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Whatever you do, make it something that is easily doable and can be done in a short period of time.
3. Multi-task when you exercise. No, the author isn’t suggesting we do our bills, but to use this time to meditate or listen to music to make the experience more enjoyable.
4. Take a class, form a group, or get a trainer. If you liked the idea of setting up appointments for self-care, this might be a great idea for you. She suggests making an appointment with a workout buddy or friend to help keep you motivated. Your workout buddy could even by your child, spouse, or another family member- whatever will help too keep you motivated.
5. Make a plan you’ll actually follow. Start small, build your confidence, and be consistent.
6. If you fail, try again. She quotes Winston Churchill who said, “Success is the ability to move from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” Don’t beat yourself up, but be honest with yourself. Keep trying and don’t give up.
7. Start your day with exercise. Stop trying to squeeze it in when you have a full schedule and make it your routine when you wake up. Before you go to bed, put your workout clothes, shoes, and a bottle of water right next to the alarm clock. When you wake up, slip on your workout gear and head out the door for a brisk walk, pop in your favorite workout tape, or find an open area in your house to do a few sets of your favorite exercise. Use this time as your planning time, quiet time, or “me” time and enjoy energy all day long.
Sound Off: Do you make exercise a priority in your life? How have you worked this into your schedule?
Follow-Up Sound Off: Did you do something to care for yourself this week? Report back and let me know if our discussion helped you at all!
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11 Responses to “You Knew It Was Coming….Exercise & You”
It is so inspiring to read how this book has changed your life! I really need to read it even if I can’t get it at my library. I made and kept my appointment with my dermatologist – this was huge for me because I have not been getting my annual skin cancer checks like I should, and was using excuse after excuse to postpone this important check-up. Thanks for the inspiration, Amy!
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Thank you for this inspiring post! I am going thru my google reader now & dumping some time consumers. I have also decided when I get my van back from the shop, I will drop the 3rd row of seating into the floor & fill that back w/stuff I have been asking DH to get out of the house! I can take the clothes to Goodwill & non-clothing items can go to the local boy scout troop’s yard sale
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I do make a habit of regular exercise. I found, long ago, that it kept me from sinking into depression…. It also helps with allowing the occasional “splurges” without feeling guilty about it!
My favorite exercise is running…but I’ll do the elliptical trainer in a pinch! However, I cannot multi-task with running! Unless you count clearing your head as multi-tasking! Its hard to fit in with three small boys, but I do manage!! I think we can all find time for things that are truly important to us!
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Amy:
Wonderful post (as usual!). Thanks for the kick in the pants I have been needing. I was walking everyday from September thru December and I felt so good. Then I stopped. And now I don’t feel as good. I am definitely going to find a way to fit it in. Thanks for the inspiration.
-Nancy
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I am the poster child for that book–I bought it like a month ago, and haven’t cracked it yet!
Even though I’m 31 weeks pregnant, I am TRYING to exercise, which means going to the gym 2x a week and walking on the treadmill. But I do look forward to getting back in shape after the baby is born. I had my daughter 19 months ago, and since I was about 5 months pregnant with her, I just haven’t done much, and I can feel it. I lost all the weight I gained with her, but I just didn’t feel great.
Oh and speaking of purging, we’re finishing our basement, emptying the office to turn it into the new nursery, and I could open my own goodwill with all the stuff I have given away. I contemplated a garage sale or ebay..but then I realized that I didn’t want to profit from my excess. Why reward that kind of behavior? It will all go to good use, and in the future I will have more self-control. It feels good to get rid of so much “stuff”!
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I know what you mean…recently,I starting going thru my kitchen and pulled out 3 boxes of stuff I don’t use.Then a week or so later it was the bedroom,the living room and my youngests room.It DOES feel good to rid yourself of clutter.
As far as exercising goes,I was one of those too skinny,too peppy exercising
types that everyone hates..lol.Unfortunately an old injury worsened and I can honestly say I am not at all skinny and peppy fled with my sleeping thru the night…lol.
I do still exercise but its one day at a time and I don’t push myself like I use to.
10-20 Squats while I’m cooking dinner or leg lifts while typing on blogs is where I’ve had to regress but, it’s a great start for many.
Glad to see the book is helping you out like it has!
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Thanks for this post, Amy. Before my son came along, I was very faithful about exercising. In the warmer months, we walk multiple times a day because we can run most of our local errands on foot! However, I know I need to do more than that, including stretching and yoga. I even have a DVD that has various 10-minute workouts so you can do just one if you don’t have a lot of time. Can I seriously not set aside 10 minutes for this?! Thanks for the reminder!
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Amy – I really commend you for making changes that will help make less stress for your home!
On exercise, I do at least 5 days a week and have my “fat burnin’ Friday” snack where I talk about my success for the week and small tips to help along people’s journey! I feel like exercise helps with my physical and mental health and I need it to keep up my stamina with raisin’ my younguns! I do most of the tips the book suggests with the help of Sparkpeople.com. Great resource for people interested in beginning their own health & fitness journey!
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I wanted to leave a tip. If you or any of your readers use netflix.com you can view workout videos directly from their website! Search for a series called 10 minute solutions. Each DVD (which you can watch online instead of order) contains 5-10 min workouts in a variety of different styles, ie: dancing, kickboxing, pilates, etc. So a great place to start would be 10 minutes at a time! It’s so easy to complete 10 minutes that you will find yourself wanting to do 10 more! I love it!
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Thanks Amy! I went and joined a gym this week and have my personal trainer evaluation tonight. I got REALLY out of shape & gained a lot of weight moving away to start a business w/my husband and it has really affected me mentally & physically, as well as, emotionally! I look forward to getting back into working out regularly; I was feeling so good before we moved away & happy too! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Good for you!
I too am trying to get the house decluttered some. It really does weigh you down having all that extra STUFF to shuffle around and find a home for.
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