OT - Beginning Exercise - YouLookFab Forum

OT - Beginning Exercise

Theresa

I have a confession to make... I have never in my life formally exercised and have honestly told myself that I'm skinny so it doesn't matter... BUT I know this is a big fat lie that I have been using to let myself get away with staying lazy.

Now, I've noticed almost all of you guys have an exercise routine and it seems to play an important part of your lives, and seeing as I'm trying to give myself a bit of a style makeover, I think a body makeover would complement this well - I think these things go hand in hand really.

At 30, and being asthmatic, my Dr and I both have agreed that I need to do something sooner rather than later about this. Her suggestions have been to just get out there and start walking.

However, what I think I need most, is some way of making myself do it, and stay committed.

We don't have public transport, and I live 10klms from town, so I do drive everywhere...

So, what I would love, is to hear some stories from you guys about how you did it? How did you make exercise an important part of your daily lives? Has it just always been that way or did you really struggle to start with?

I did run for a bit in high school and loved it, and would love to run, so I'm intrigued by the C25K programme, but only have 2 child free days per week, so not sure how I'd do it a 3rd day each week with a child in tow, and those 2 days are consecutive so don't know if that's even ideal? Of course, getting the motivation and sticking to it has to come first I think...

As usual I suspect my biggest hurdle is the fact that I overthink everything, and need to have a big ole plan in place...

So, motivational sources, and personal success stories PLEASE???!!!! I KNOW this has to happen in my life NOW, so any tools to make it easier for me would be SOOOO greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH

16 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Theresa

Queen Mum

Veteran

Theresa-
as a fellow over thinker and perfectionist I am constantly fighting the battle of waiting for the ideal. If you want to run and only have 2 days a week, then run on those 2 days. It's better than nothing.
is there a gym in town that has affordable membership and childcare? I don't have childcare issues anymore, but am really motivated by group classes, or even planning to meet with a friend to workout together.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's a struggle for me every day, but chronic joint problems make it really important for me. For me, it was just about finding something that worked for me. It has to have a built in motivation (ie be something fun, that I like), and also be something that I can do at home with the kids here (since they are always here), or at a time/place that I can get to without them. I've had a huge progression with exercise and then come full circle. I started with just some yoga at home, then moved onto other exercise DVD's, then I joined a gym and used the equiptment. I started taking classes and really loved them, but scheduling issues and my joint problems have brought me back to working out at home- with my Wii and some simple exercises.

16 years ago

Susan

(website)

Active Member

Theresa, Good luck with your fitness journey. I have a million and one excuses for not exercising. Time is always an issue, but even if you can only squeeze in 15 minutes of gentle stretching before dinner or can do a brisk walk during your lunch break, all of this helps. Also, is there anyway that you could incorporate your child/ren into a work out? There are loads of baby joggers, and if your kids are old enough, they can bike along side. I used to jog with my kid sister (14 years junior), who'd bike in front of me on the sidewalk. You can teach kids good habits this way too!

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I don't have any sound advice Theresa, just try to do what you can when you can. Remember running after the girls at the park is great exercise.

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Theresa I am by no means an expert as I am the queen of procrastination and making excuses. I find exercise is a bit of a vicious cycle...the longer you haven't done it for the harder it is to do again etc...

I find that when I've been a bit remiss the best way to get going is to start off with walking. Pretty much everyone can spare 20-30mins to go walking, even if its just around the block. Take your kids with you. Doing just that is alot better than doing nothing, and from there the only way is up, right?

16 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Thanks girls,

Kim its nice to know a fellow overthinker/perfectionist!

I phoned the two gyms in town yesterday, one was an absolute no-go, and the other seems really good, but just have to find the $$ each week... will look at my budget later.

I live one block from the beach, so my plan was to go walking on the beach every day, but I quickly realised that anytime I do that with the girls in tow, they just want to play or swim and it just doesn't work for them and I to do it together - so now beach trips are for fun - sandcastles, swimming etc.

I'm thinking the gym might be the best option for me though, because the girls are too little to walk/ride along side me, but too big to want to stay in the pram for long, but the gym has a creche for 2 hours each morning, so on the 3 days I have my youngest she could go there.

Actually, at the gym, the lady who gave me a tour said the best thing to do was book a personal training session once a month (or however often you can afford it) as your ongoing motivation - your trainer will know if you haven't been keeping up the work and "punish" you... I really felt a connection to the lady who gave the tour (and she's a PT), so I felt like it would be a good place for me.

But, you know what I just realised... I don't even own a pair of exercise shoes!

So, I'm about to head out now and see if I can buy myself a pair of shoes for next to $0 LOL I can't even go for a walk without shoes!

Thank you all for reminding me that anything is better than nothing though... I do feel like I have to have a proper regime in place and can't deviate it from it... silly perfectionism LOL

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Theresa- let the girls play in the sand at the beach, and walk or jog in the sand around them. that would be great exercise!

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Childmindng at the gym sounds like a good idea Theresa. Gyms can cost a lot of $$ though can't they? Ugh! I prefer the outdoors too, especially when you're by the beach! Is there anyway someone can come with you to the beach one or twice a week to keep an eye on the kids whilst you duck off for 30mins for a walk? Even hiring a babysitter to do that for an hour would be cheaper than the gym, wouldn't it?

16 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

The gym is just under $20/week, and for 2 kids, baby sitting would be about the same...

But you know what... I'm such a dunderhead at times. I just remembered that our main beach (almost 10klms up the road) has a designated 10000 steps path along its esplanade - its a beautiful scenic walk.

What I should do is just drive up and walk along it every week day. If I only have the little one with me, she would probably be quite ok in the pram if I give her food - I just couldn't do it if I had them both cos then it would be a nightmare LOL

I have to go up on there on Monday, so I'll check out exactly where it begins and ends, but I think that's probably the best option for me - small amount of $$ to drive there, but a proper walking track along a beautiful beach - what more could I really ask for?

But I wouldn't have thought about it if I hadn't been rambling away here and thinking of my options... so THANK YOU for baring with me and helping me sort this out.

Actually, my not often used blog, should become a little diary for me to record my efforts in and I'll link it to my profile so I feel like I'm accountable (not that anyone reads my blog really LOL)

16 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Theresa- be careful trying to find cheap exercise shoes. You really need good support for exercising. I know money doesn't grow on trees (atleast not at my house) but if you're not investing in a gym membership you might consider investing a little bit in good shoes. I love Asics and at full price they are about $100, but since I have found what I like, I can usually find last years model at Zappos or Online shoes for closer to $50. Please don't buy shoes at a bargain store, you could possibly cause yourself injury.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Theresa, walking sounds like a great idea! I also had the thought that you could get some exercise DVDs, they're not too expensive and maybe you could find time in your schedule to do them?

I do have a suggestion about making exercise (or anything really) a habit: write it down, and reward yourself for consistency. After you've done 10 days of exercise (even if it's not every day), give yourself a treat. Then after 20 days, another treat. And so on...

16 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

Walking along the beach sounds perfect. I've never had a regular exercise routine either and prefer integrating exercise into my life so I stick with it. I don't like gyms, but that's an individual preference and they really work well for some people.

I don't know if your lifestyle would allow a dog, but they're a big motivator. I walk a few miles a day with our dogs (mainly because if I don't they're a pain in the butt!). We have nice dog parks where they can run off leash and I get exercise at the same time. Walking with your kids would be great also. Maybe go the same time each day, before or after dinner sounds nice, and just get in the habit. Get them used to the idea that it's walking time, not play time, maybe set up a reward at the end of the trail or something?

Do you do any yoga? You could do that at home, even with your kids. It's not all that aerobic (although you can work up a sweat!), but it does tone and stretch your muscles plus it's very relaxing!

16 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Queenie good point about the shoes and something I had been thinking about. It will be a good month + before I can buy good shoes, so I tried on a few pairs of cheap ones yesterday. I did buy a pair that felt as good as my old fancy joggers, but I will be relegating them to yard work once I get proper ones because I suspect they sure aren't going to last like my good ones did. I just don't want to wait another month to get started properly... (hmmm impatient as well as perfectionist and overthinker!)

Medusa that is a great idea to set up specific "treats". I'm going to record it all on my blog but I am going to think up some treats now too!

I do have some exercise DVD's here somewhere - I'll have to see if I can find them - I think I just get distracted at home and do other things Pretty sure I had a yoga, pilates and ballet conditioning one.

Actually, that's probably my biggest thing - I need to make it a habit that as soon as I've dropped the girl/s off, I exercise - all my other jobs can wait...

Thanks for listening to my rambling!

16 years ago

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