How to Get off Your Bum.......

Find something fitness related you LIKE doing. Find things to eat that are good for you AND that you enjoy eating. Limit the stuff that is bad for you, but do allow them on occasion.

an object in motion really does stay in motion.

I feel for you! After the past year of trying to schedule in work out time, I finally realized that it was futile & I'd have to look at other options. Having 3 kids and working 3/4 time (plus house stuff!), this was no easy task. I finally came up with something ridiculously simple that has resulted in me having lost about 7-10 lbs since the start of the school year - and getting some energy back. I threw sneakers and work out clothes into my car and decided that whenever I found myself waiting for my kids while they do their various activities (ages 4, 5, 8), I would go for a jog (with dog in tow!). I've been doing this steadily about 3-4x per week, for at least 1/2 hour each time, and it's amazing the difference it's made. The first few weeks were the toughest, but once I got over the hump, I found myself looking forward to the run, even in the rain! By the way, running is not my favorite thing either, but if it the only thing I can do right now, so be it. Another thing you might look into is enrolling in a Zumba class where they have child care - it's an incredibly fun workout that makes you forget you are working out! I had been doing this until I moved away from my regular place and it became to taxing to travel there - I'll be going back one of these days! Good luck to you - probably need to get creative and find something that works without you adding more onto your already full schedule!

S.,
I think the hardest part is getting started! Once I start exercising regularly, I start enjoying it. The more sedentary I am, the worse it sounds to get going.

I truly thing that first you need to find a type of exercise that you somewhat enjoy. I have made a goal to do an hour of something active daily, and it does not necessarily have to be a "workout". If you hate running (and a quick aside about that- I used to hate it but love it now! It took a few months of hating it but sticking with it) then how about a walk? Sometimes I will take the kids to the park and walk/run laps around the playground. Hula hooping does not burn as many calories as running, but it is fun and it does tighten the tummy a bit. It is my go-to when I am not really feeling like a mega workout. I have also enjoyed the Turbo Jam dvds. Take the kids ice skating. Spend some time with the younger ones doing piggy backs, horsey rides, tag, etc. Sometimes, for me, I just don't feel like jumping around and doing cardio, but I am ok with something like yoga, pilates, stretching, or light weights; something that is low impact. You can get a lot of benefits even if it is not cardio.

It helps me to see a visual of my goal. On Pinterest . com, there are fitness pages and I will visit them and feel immediately inspires to go kick some butt and get in shape. Sparkpeople is also a good website. I also took some photos of me in a bathing suit recently (for my eyes only) and that helps me be motivated because I can see more clearly in the photos what I need to work on.

Another suggestion- fill up a pitcher of water each morning and make it your goal to drink the whole pitcher that day. The more hydrated I am, the more energy I have. You might be amazed at how little water you might be drinking each day. Cut out the sodas, especially diet sodas. For me, they really affect my energy levels.

Good luck!

See the problem is that we all plan on doing stuff. And our plan is never something simple like 'OK I'll take a walk around the block every day this week' or 'I'll drink water instead of soda from now on'. Nope our plan is 'I'll start tomorrow by jogging 10 miles followed by 50 push ups and an hour of aerobics and then just eat fish and 6 almonds for the rest of the day.' It's never easy and of course we fail.

Start off with one little change and do it for 2 weeks until it becomes part of your routine. Then add another.Do you have netflix? I found a ton of exercise videos on netflix and I stream one every day. They have a lot of dance ones so you and the kids can spend time dancing together every day. It'll be fun.

I find that when I get busy it's easier to grab a sandwich or pretzels to snack on. I've found that having apples in the fridge or veggies already cut up make it just as easy to grab something more healthy.

Cholesterol is a combination of diet, exercise, and your family history. You might be predisposed to have high cholesterol but making changes by added exercise and fruit and veggies could make a big difference. 18 yrs ago my cholesterol was 180 and when I had it checked earlier this year it was 90. Huge difference because I walk every day and eat better.

Little baby steps and you'll be able to do it.

walk. Can you take the kids in a stroller? On lousy days is there an indoor mall? Just walk briskly for 30 lousy minutes. It's an activity for the kids and you will have more energy after the walk. That's where I started.

I now eat healthy, exercise regularly, sell and take vitamins. I feel great! I am 25 years older than you are. Don't chalk it up to age. You CAN feel better. Let that be your motivator.

I would say (not because I always "do") to schedule in your time every day or week.
S., if YOU don't take care of YOU, who will?

Myself... I won't do it UNLESS it's fun.

My time is limited. WHY ON EARTH spend more time doing things I can't stand? (They gym is the epitome of b-o-r-i-n-g to me).

So I do fun stuff. For me that's swimming, snowboarding, sailing, surfing, (and other things that start with S???)... horseback riding, hiking, (no hockey, but handstands meet the pattern ;), gymnastics, dancing, taking the dog for a walk, etc.

FUN stuff.

If it's not fun, I might do something for a VERY limited period of time, but I won't keep up with it. Because I'm limited as to how much time I have. Pure and simple.

((Our weekend Troll is back... pay testy TessT no mind))