Group Discussions

Working out

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  I've very active and have crazy schedule all the time. I also have asthma and need to do cardio every day to be able to function without a sudden feeling in the middle of the night that I am being chocked. I've tried many different approaches. I tried working out in the evening, during lunch and in the morning. I always found that in the evening and during lunch it's too easy to get distracted and have a meeting or go out with my friends for a meal. The only time I am able to consistently workout is in the morning. So I have a rule now, I don't do any breakfast meetings and get up extra early to go to the gym. I also made sure that my gym is very close to my house so that I don’t have another excuse not to go every day. Try that if you are really driven to get and stay in shape! Does anybody else have any other tips? I'm always looking for more suggestions. Thanks.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Victoria on 11th April 2007
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  I have shocked to discover that as a mother, I get an awesome work out without going to gym. With two young boys, almost 2 years and 4 years, I am constantly running around after them. Even in the house, upstairs, downstairs I get my cardio. I get my weight training picking up carrying my 35 pound toddler around. I am also back to being in the best shape of my life.
  
  So for any other new mothers or newly again pregnant moms, the good news is, here's one mom who doesn't really have time for the gym at all. My kids are my gym and it's actually a lot more fun. Truly multitasking - working out with the kids and the pregnancy weight is long gone!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by boysmommy on 18th April 2007
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  I find that enlisting another working mom friend to join me at the gym and to "remind" me to go to the gym is very helpful.
  
  We both work from home and it is easy to get sucked in and to forget about the gym. Knowing she is on her way there gets me out of my tunnel vision because I don't want to let her down - and vice versa.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Aliza Sherman on 22nd April 2007
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  The only time I have right now typically is between 9 & 10:30pm. So that's when I do it. I'm more dedicated now than I have been since college because if I don't I just don't feel good & I've really learned to make a point of doing it when it works in a day -- whatever point that is...

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Susan on 5th May 2007
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  I just started getting up at 5am every day (my alarm used to go off at 5:50). I manage to get about 20-25 minutes either walking outside or on my elliptical at home. Before this, I showered at night (due to not having the time in the morning) - now I have to shower after exercising, then do hair somewhat, so my 50 minute bonus got me only 20-25 of exercise.
  
  Several of my team at work are also on Weight Watchers now, so we're trying to keep each other in line.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Delney on 9th May 2007
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  Wow, Delney, that is pretty inspiring - good for you! I am waking up at 6 to do this, and finding it very difficult.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 10th May 2007
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  I usually run/walk every evening. My mom goes with me so sometimes I'll take the dog and run with her for about 5 blocks up and 2 back where I meet my mom on the same route. We continue the 2 blocks I came back then the other 5 back to the house. It's really a nice workout and I feel absolutely wonderful. I've lost 39 pounds since October. I had my daughter in late September. I've never been a thin girl, and I'm still far from it, but those numbers are so awesome it's hard not to get a little confidence. The only other thing I do is portion control. I will only eat a small plate (like 5-6" diameter) of food. If you eat at a regular pace instead of super fast, you get full faster. It's not really about killing yourself with exercise as I used to attempt before I got pregnant.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Marcia on 11th July 2007
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  About three months ago, I suddenly realized that I had a potential 'vacant' spot in my day, between 5:00, when the last child leaves, and 5:45, when my husband comes home. We would eat about six. It wasn't really 'vacant', it was more 'a bit slower'. I was using that time tidying up after work and fixing dinner.
  
  
  I tweaked my day so that, on those days when it's my turn to cook, I make dinner during nap time, and clean up in the last half-hour of my work day. (The tots help.) It wasn't a big change, really, but it means I can bomb out the door at 5 prompt, get back at 6, and have dinner with my family at 6:15, a fifteen-minute shift. (Like you, Victoria, I've made sure to pick one very close to my house: I can walk there in 12 brisk minutes - my warm-up and cool-down.)
  
  
  This schedule may not work for everyone, but I suspect more of us have a possible 'exercise window' in our day than we realize. Take a look at your day and see what can be tweaked. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by MaryP on 26th July 2007
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  I am lucky that my kids are old enough that my oldest can stay home with them while I exercise. I used to run outside, but this Fall, I think I am going to enroll in yoga classes while my kids are in school (I work from home), and use that as my "lunch hour."

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Caitlin McDonald on 27th July 2007
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  I just got a yoga DVD and am doing yoga for the first time in my life! I can't believe what a good work out it is, and I can do it at home too!

  Flag as inappropriate Posted by Jen Creer on 29th July 2007