Fitness Series: Wrap-Up and Confession Time

Did you all have a chance to read the posts in my fitness series? Go on, check it out. I’ll still be here…

Now that you’ve read at least the intro, let’s gather round and chat. I’m gonna be real and honest about what I did during this month in which I had grand intentions of getting back on the fitness track.

And I failed. Well…maybe not entirely, when I read all the ladies’ posts about organic fitness or running with the kids and playing games as a family…But I definitely failed at setting up a routine for myself and trying something new, like kettelbells. Let’s face it: habits are hard to create! Given my lazy bum’s choice, I’d stay in bed until 7am and the read a little or blog a little, then think about having some breakfast…and then soon it’d be 9am and by then my time for doing anything alone is gone until 9 or 10pm. I’m not going to workout late a night.

I’m working on reminding myself that the exercise I do is helping. After all, I do spend a few hours a day lugging the baby around on my back while I run errands or cook or clean. He weighs 20+ pounds, so that alone is something like extra fitness. Once in a while I get a chance to go for a run on my own. The kids and I have gone for a hike or walk every single week this summer, so that is not only good for some amount of exercise, it’s a great way for me to model a healthy lifestyle to them, enjoy God’s creation, and spend time together.

I won’t lie, though, I wish I could do more, and I still really want to try kettlebells.

Why don’t I do more? I’m just lazy and distracted. This morning I was up with some time before the baby woke up, so I thought, “Hey, I could do a quick workout like what I’ve found on Pinterest while I wait for him to wake up!” And then I thought, “Nah, I’ll read that book I’ve been dying to read…”

I read.

Le sigh.

I *do* have some really neat-looking workouts saved on Pinterest, and I even saved some family dance-party workouts. We will be doing those, often.

And so I sit here, wondering how I get myself motivated to take those brief minutes for myself for the workout I want? This isn’t about getting a bikini-flat belly or “sexy summer arms”…summer is about over anyway and I hate bikinis for myself. It’s about my health, my personal fitness level, my comfort. I’ve long had lower back pain–something having stronger abs can fix. I’m not the tallest person on the planet, but when I stand up straighter, I gain a little bit of height. And no one grows up thinking, “I’m gonna be so lazy that I slouch all the time and shrink into a hunchback in my old age.” Nope. Nobody tries for that. If I shrink, I’ll be more than a foot shorter than Fence! THAT is short. I know that keeping my body in better shape will help me keep my posture better and help my back health in the long run.

I need a bit of an action plan! I say “a bit” because I’m prone to ditch plans that I can’t follow to the letter, but “a bit” of a plan is more likely to feel like a “guide” to me, and be more helpful. Yes, even if I make it up myself.

• I will wake up earlier than the baby when possible, and at least do some stretches and good posture/ab exercises (instead of blogging…like I am currently doing.)
• I will drink more water! More water is always a good idea, and infused water is so tasty that I will want to drink more. (must make some today)
• I will take advantage of opportunities to workout or run alone.
• I will make the most of all the times I have to be active with my kids, setting an example of enjoying being healthy and fit for them (especially my girls!)
• I will eat several times a day, which I’m reading is probably best for my personal underlying sneaky health monsters–but that’s for another post if I ever care to share. Suffice it to say, that practicing Natural Family Planning makes me very aware of some things which aren’t 100% right, and I think I know how to improve them. Eating healthier snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon will help. It will also with the slumps I feel at those times of day, giving more energy to be more active and engaged with the kids instead of wanting to hide away at the computer with a box of chocolate. (though, I am sure those days will still come around, amIright? We all need a little solo time and chocolate in moderation is A-OK.)

What are your tips for me? Anyone have a sure-fire motivation to share? Talk to me! I need inspiring.

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