Posted 11:04 pm Sunday, October 07, 2012
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A few tips to squeeze exercise in
By Coshandra Dillard
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
This week’s column is short and sweet, because the solution to this problem is simple. I have had a tough time making time for exercise, as my morning and evening routines have changed. So I had to check myself. I recalled interviewing people who say, “Take time for you,” and stress all you need is an hour a day.
cdillard@tylerpaper.com
This week’s column is short and sweet, because the solution to this problem is simple. I have had a tough time making time for exercise, as my morning and evening routines have changed. So I had to check myself. I recalled interviewing people who say, “Take time for you,” and stress all you need is an hour a day.
I also reflected on my columns where I pointed out that although it can be difficult, no life is too busy for exercise and eating well.
Easier said than done, right? Well, with the help of some faithful Fit City Challenge supporters, here are a few suggestions that may be of help to me and other busy mothers out there:
n “Exercise with your children. A walk or stroller push around a park is lovely this time of year. A game of hide and seek can get the heart pumping! A scavenger hunt at the mall or grocery store can make walking an adventure. Make a list together of things to hunt for.” — Carmen Sosa
- “Find a studio, gym or trainer that allows you to bring your children. If your children are older, they may even be able to work out along side of you for free or sit by themselves and keep busy with a book or toy. Otherwise, look for places that have childcare services available. Many places offer this for free or for very cheap with a membership or package.
“If your child is involved with any kind of extracurricular activities, you can utilize that time for you. Drop your child off and then go the gym or meet with your child. There is no reason you have to be everywhere your child is all the time. You deserve you time, too.
“If your child(ren) is/are too young for extracurriculars then do the buddy system workouts. Find a ‘like-minded’ partner who will be willing to trade off babysitting duties with you, so you can both have your workouts. You watch their children one day while they workout and vice versa.
n “Exercise with your children. A walk or stroller push around a park is lovely this time of year. A game of hide and seek can get the heart pumping! A scavenger hunt at the mall or grocery store can make walking an adventure. Make a list together of things to hunt for.” — Carmen Sosa
- “Find a studio, gym or trainer that allows you to bring your children. If your children are older, they may even be able to work out along side of you for free or sit by themselves and keep busy with a book or toy. Otherwise, look for places that have childcare services available. Many places offer this for free or for very cheap with a membership or package.
“If your child is involved with any kind of extracurricular activities, you can utilize that time for you. Drop your child off and then go the gym or meet with your child. There is no reason you have to be everywhere your child is all the time. You deserve you time, too.
“If your child(ren) is/are too young for extracurriculars then do the buddy system workouts. Find a ‘like-minded’ partner who will be willing to trade off babysitting duties with you, so you can both have your workouts. You watch their children one day while they workout and vice versa.
“And, of course, there’s the evening walk, bike ride, backyard soccer, driveway basketball and dog walk with your entire family. Family fitness is a good thing, too.” — Lacey Lafayette
- “My 8-year-old rides her bike with me while I run these days. When she was younger, I wasn’t above going to the track and letting her play in the field while I ran circles around her. That age, when she was too big for a stroller but not big enough to tag along, was a challenge, and babysitters at 6 a.m. are hard to come by.” — Vickie Smith
- “Work out early! It’s the best time to fit it in because we get busier as our day goes on. And unfortunately, working out is taken out of the schedule to fit more things in. Join an early morning class. Do a DVD. Tabatas are great. Do it early before your house starts to wake up and then your time to take care of yourself is gone.” — Lance and Christy Dunton
- “Workout early before the kids get up. Also, I have an 11-year-old who goes to work out with me. It is good for her to know how important fitness is, and good quality time with your kid. My daughter and I walk the treadmill and discuss school, etc.” — Leah Williams
- “While my daughter is in piano or soccer practice, I would run around that neighborhood and try to get some miles in during that time frame. I also just started P90X and wake up earlier to work out before I have to get her up. You always find time to do something you love.” — Rebecca Dickson
- “Wear a weighted vest around house while cooking, cleaning, chasing kids.” — Beth Turner Price
- “My 8-year-old rides her bike with me while I run these days. When she was younger, I wasn’t above going to the track and letting her play in the field while I ran circles around her. That age, when she was too big for a stroller but not big enough to tag along, was a challenge, and babysitters at 6 a.m. are hard to come by.” — Vickie Smith
- “Work out early! It’s the best time to fit it in because we get busier as our day goes on. And unfortunately, working out is taken out of the schedule to fit more things in. Join an early morning class. Do a DVD. Tabatas are great. Do it early before your house starts to wake up and then your time to take care of yourself is gone.” — Lance and Christy Dunton
- “Workout early before the kids get up. Also, I have an 11-year-old who goes to work out with me. It is good for her to know how important fitness is, and good quality time with your kid. My daughter and I walk the treadmill and discuss school, etc.” — Leah Williams
- “While my daughter is in piano or soccer practice, I would run around that neighborhood and try to get some miles in during that time frame. I also just started P90X and wake up earlier to work out before I have to get her up. You always find time to do something you love.” — Rebecca Dickson
- “Wear a weighted vest around house while cooking, cleaning, chasing kids.” — Beth Turner Price
