CALL FOR ENTRIES:
Do you swing your baby behind your head, hang them by their ankles and do tricept presses with them? If so WE NEED YOU!
I want to do a big post on using your kids as exercise free weights. We need pictures and descriptions and recommendations. Hopefully we'll have enough ready to post by next weekend.
Thanks!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
We're Not the Only Ones!
The Daily Herald (my favorite periodical!) had an article on exercising for the whole family. Instead of giving you a full recap, I'm posting the link here:
http://www.heraldextra.com/special-section/article_e99082ba-b36c-5242-be9b-362f5953f434.html
Enjoy!
http://www.heraldextra.com/special-section/article_e99082ba-b36c-5242-be9b-362f5953f434.html
Enjoy!
"Running" Errands
Running Errands with 3 kids in tow is not always fun. But it can be a great workout! If I'm needing just one or two things from the store, and the price is about the same anywhere (you know I'm a savvy shopper), then I"ll just buzz on down to the closest store. But why drive? Even with the kids in tow I'll take the stroller, or even better: The bike!
If it's not far and you don't need the hauling space and you have the time- get off your toosh and hoof it! I don't even let weather be an excuse half the time. If it's cold it's great for the kids to keep moving to keep warm. We took a quick (hour) trip to the library and it was great fun.
So take the first step- out your door, and run some errands using your body power, not your horse power!
If it's not far and you don't need the hauling space and you have the time- get off your toosh and hoof it! I don't even let weather be an excuse half the time. If it's cold it's great for the kids to keep moving to keep warm. We took a quick (hour) trip to the library and it was great fun.
So take the first step- out your door, and run some errands using your body power, not your horse power!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Snow Problem!
Welcome to winter in Utah! It's cold, it's wet, it's snowy, it's cold.
My neighbors think I'm crazy. The neighbor to the west offered to let me borrow her snow blower. I have yet to take her up on the offer. The last 3 times I've gotten out to shovel, she'll come out and remind me, "You know, you can borrow the snow blower...." I just smile and say, "Thanks! I really appreciate it. But I need the workout today."
And that's what I do. I shovel to my hearts content. Sometimes two or three times a day (I refuse to let 8 inches of ice build up on my north-facing driveway). It actually feels great to me, to lift and turn. I think of it as my "anaerobic exercise" for the day. It takes me around 10 minutes to do the whole thing, add 5 for sidewalks.
So get your booty out there! Say NO to the SNOW machines. Use the time to ponder your latest book, or what you're going to make for dinner, or the state of the world's fight against terror. You know, whatever get's you going! Or don't think at all and just listen to music.
Either way you'll find the snow is a great resistence trainer. So don't resist!
My neighbors think I'm crazy. The neighbor to the west offered to let me borrow her snow blower. I have yet to take her up on the offer. The last 3 times I've gotten out to shovel, she'll come out and remind me, "You know, you can borrow the snow blower...." I just smile and say, "Thanks! I really appreciate it. But I need the workout today."
And that's what I do. I shovel to my hearts content. Sometimes two or three times a day (I refuse to let 8 inches of ice build up on my north-facing driveway). It actually feels great to me, to lift and turn. I think of it as my "anaerobic exercise" for the day. It takes me around 10 minutes to do the whole thing, add 5 for sidewalks.
So get your booty out there! Say NO to the SNOW machines. Use the time to ponder your latest book, or what you're going to make for dinner, or the state of the world's fight against terror. You know, whatever get's you going! Or don't think at all and just listen to music.
Either way you'll find the snow is a great resistence trainer. So don't resist!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Kids are a Reason, not an Excuse
Okay, for those of you who don't know, I have 3 kids under the age of 6. Most of the time I'm down to just the two little boys, currently ages 3 and 1. And don't let anyone tell you that being a stay-at-home mom is a walk in the park. Because even though it is, I'm still busy as heck. When I quit my full-time teaching job to be home, I decided that I would treat being a mom/homemaker as my new career. But I this also means I have a hard time just dropping them to workout and then feeling like a good mom afterward. As I write I have Connor (1) sitting in between me and the computer poking the screen and periodically grabbing my ears and pulling me in for a kiss. Not say it isn't cute, just saying it takes work to get the job done.
So, to the point. You CAN workout with your children. That's right, ladies! Any guilt you may feel by "neglecting" your kids to workout is GONE! Here are some tips from me, but I hope that others will post their ideas as well:
1- Do the DVD!
I must have 7 different workout DVDs, and my kids like to do all of them with me. It used to be: wake up from naptime, workout with mom, have a snack. It's so fun to watch my highly uncoordinated Timmy try to do crunches. It's also fun when Connor jumps on me while trying to do Pilates. Just gives more resistence!
2- Go for a HIKE
Okay, so this can be harder in winter, especially if you're not prepared. But 3/4 of the year you can get out there and get your heartrate up while teaching the kids about nature. There's even a great book: "Best Hikes with Children: Utah" by Naureen Keilty. But to be honest, I've dragged my kids along on every hike I want to do. I started the beginning of the summer with easy, and worked our way up to "moderate" hikes. We even take them in winter, down around Moab where the snow isn't so deep.
3- Play a game
Last Tuesday it was snowing like the Dickens outside. So we made an obsticle course in our basement. We went over, under, around, tossed balls, played the piano....a whole sequence. Then we did it again and again as fast as we could. One mistake, though: now all Trinity want to do is build courses in our basement!
4- Multi-Task
No kidding! Like you need more practice at this! Ha ha ha! There isn't a woman I know who doesn't juggle two or three things at a time! But the other day I really wanted to be on my trainer. I wanted to listen to music on my new MP3 player. I wanted to watch a rerun of "Glee" on Fox. And Trinity wanted to play cards. So I did them all. "Glee" on the TV, music in one ear, me on the bike, and holding a hand of cards while playing "Go Fish" with my 6-year-old. Did she have fun? Yes! Did I get my activity in? Yes!
5- Just Dance!
This is seriously one of my favorite things to do. We turn on the music, and we dance like no one is watching. Even though we do it in the front room with the picture window and I have no doubt my neighbor's all think I'm totally out of my mind. But it's a BLAST! I hold Connor like he's my dance partner, the others run around us, and I practice my dance moves from high school: Cha-Cha, Waltz, Swing.....maybe I am crazy! But having this cute of a dance partner, how can I lose!?!
Okay, I'm sure I"ll come up with more- but Connor has progressed to licking my nose (messing up my glasses), dinner is ready to come out of the oven, Tim just fell off the counter, the phone is ringing, and Trinity needs help with her homework! Chao!
So, to the point. You CAN workout with your children. That's right, ladies! Any guilt you may feel by "neglecting" your kids to workout is GONE! Here are some tips from me, but I hope that others will post their ideas as well:
1- Do the DVD!
I must have 7 different workout DVDs, and my kids like to do all of them with me. It used to be: wake up from naptime, workout with mom, have a snack. It's so fun to watch my highly uncoordinated Timmy try to do crunches. It's also fun when Connor jumps on me while trying to do Pilates. Just gives more resistence!
2- Go for a HIKE
Okay, so this can be harder in winter, especially if you're not prepared. But 3/4 of the year you can get out there and get your heartrate up while teaching the kids about nature. There's even a great book: "Best Hikes with Children: Utah" by Naureen Keilty. But to be honest, I've dragged my kids along on every hike I want to do. I started the beginning of the summer with easy, and worked our way up to "moderate" hikes. We even take them in winter, down around Moab where the snow isn't so deep.
3- Play a game
Last Tuesday it was snowing like the Dickens outside. So we made an obsticle course in our basement. We went over, under, around, tossed balls, played the piano....a whole sequence. Then we did it again and again as fast as we could. One mistake, though: now all Trinity want to do is build courses in our basement!
4- Multi-Task
No kidding! Like you need more practice at this! Ha ha ha! There isn't a woman I know who doesn't juggle two or three things at a time! But the other day I really wanted to be on my trainer. I wanted to listen to music on my new MP3 player. I wanted to watch a rerun of "Glee" on Fox. And Trinity wanted to play cards. So I did them all. "Glee" on the TV, music in one ear, me on the bike, and holding a hand of cards while playing "Go Fish" with my 6-year-old. Did she have fun? Yes! Did I get my activity in? Yes!
5- Just Dance!
This is seriously one of my favorite things to do. We turn on the music, and we dance like no one is watching. Even though we do it in the front room with the picture window and I have no doubt my neighbor's all think I'm totally out of my mind. But it's a BLAST! I hold Connor like he's my dance partner, the others run around us, and I practice my dance moves from high school: Cha-Cha, Waltz, Swing.....maybe I am crazy! But having this cute of a dance partner, how can I lose!?!
Okay, I'm sure I"ll come up with more- but Connor has progressed to licking my nose (messing up my glasses), dinner is ready to come out of the oven, Tim just fell off the counter, the phone is ringing, and Trinity needs help with her homework! Chao!
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