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Monday, May 07, 2007
(Am I the only one that remembers those cheesy 80's videos and work-out equipment for young girls?)Anyway, if you're anything like me, you sometimes walk past the mirror and think "gee...having x number of kids sure makes your body different." In fact, one of the many things I looked forward to about not being pregnant again (no more babies for us) is that after having two kids in two years, I can finally start working my way back to a decent weight.
I've been plugging along on my own, eating healthier, exercising when I can and the weight is slowly coming off. (I've lost enough weight that even my jeans from before Elnora was born are too big. Finally went and bought a new pair last week and they're already sagging again. Good thing mom has a sewing machine!)
One of the things that I've been trying to do is get out and walk more. Finding time to exercise is tough between two jobs, nursing, nap times, potty training and life in general...but I know it's something that I HAVE to do.
Thankfully, there are some good excuses to walk around the village. We've got a butcher shop on the other end of town and we buy our meat there. (Mmm...good quality all natural Amish stuff...not the industrial processing plant meat of grocery stores.) I've mapped it out and it's about 3 miles round trip if I put the kids in the stroller and we take off. My goal is to walk there twice a week for fresh meat. (mmmm....fresh meat.)
I'm also aiming to get Elnora to the playground twice a week. (About 2 miles round trip) If I can add a good hour of cleaning to the schedule twice a week that will give me good exercise 6 days out of 7. (Even God rests one day a week, I should be allowed to!)
So, instead of having a blog carnival this month, I'm teaming up with my fellow breastfeeding bloggers (Tanya, Andi, Sinead, Angela and Micky) to create a team in the WOMAN Challenge. Tanya from the Motherwear blog and I are co-leading a team in the challenge. The idea is that beginning on Mother's Day (May 13th) and running for 8 weeks, you vow to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
That might mean walking, swimming, cleaning, chasing your kids...anything you want. As long as you're moving. If you register at the site, join our team and upload your progress everyone will get tracked together and we can watch our progress on a route from San Francisco to Washington D.C.
Our team, The Breastfeeding Babes, is open to anyone. You don't have to have a blog, be breastfeeding, or even be a woman!
If you're up to the challenge, here's what to do:
1. Sign up here. If you choose to count your activity in steps, you may get a free pedometer (while supplies last).
2. Follow the directions for joining a team, and join the "Breastfeeding Babes." Note: You may have to search for teams in Massachusetts to find it.
3. Starting on Mother's Day, track your progress on the WOMAN Challenge website.
4. Tell your friends and encourage them to sign up!
Labels: Life as a Mom
This site will map any walking/biking route in the world.
www.gmap-pedometer.com
You can also save routes and see how many calories you burn.
Awesome. We just did a major overhaul of our kitchen pantry, fridge and freezer and switched to healthier meats, fruits and veggies. Nothing like kick starting an exercise habit to go along with it.
While I have just one (for now, I think), I was a bona fide gym rat before the baby. You know...five days a week at the gym, usually two hours at a time. :) Since I work full time, I feel like I need to be spending quality time with the little guy when I'm off of work.
Now that I'm not so tired, my itching for the gym is back. I've had to split it into chunks, mostly around my work schedule. You know--weights at lunch, maybe stop by and jog a mile on the way to pick him up after work. I miss being able to spend a couple of hours working out...but that's life.
Nevanna, agreed...I find myself saying "when they're in school, I'll have time to go to the gym" and then I remind myself that it's five years away.
I can't wait five years to get in shape, gotta start working on it now. So, I'll do what I can.
At least I do have the flexibility of working at night and taking a walk during the day...especially helpful in the summer when it's steaming. With the kids getting me up before 7, early morning walks shouldn't be a problem. ;)
This is my first visit to your blog but I HAD to comment!:) I used to have Get in Shape Girl!! lol:) Yes, SOOO cheesy... ahhh, the memories:)
Well i joined the breastfeeding babes group because I am pitiful when it comes to how little I exercise- I'm hoping this will help me get excited about excercising and getting my butt off the couch!
Thanks, Jennifer. What a great idea. I know that walking will actually give you more energy as time goes by. That's a GOOD thing! So..would someone pleeeeeze use that energy and walk an extra mile or two for me? I really could use it! :-) I'll keep everyone posted on how much I lose from all that donated walking.
Hugs to all!
*I can just hear all that giggling out there! Admit it, ladies! You wish you were the first to ask for walking donations!*
Oooh, I *needed* a kick in the pants! I'm on your team! :)
I am so happy to do this. I have a head start, as I have been walking every day with my dad for the past few weeks. I do need this extra nudge to get me moving. I am trying not to gain any more weight before my big wedding next month. This should help make sure the dress still fits on the big day. I am also pushing a double stroller with two 25 pound babies in it on half of my walks every week. Good job to all of us who are loving ourselves and our families enough to get healthy (healthier).
I had get in shape girl too! THANK YOU for bringing back that memeory. ROFL!
I have to say that I stumbled across your blog by googling Get in shape girl for a friend of mine who was starting to feel like she was the only person alive who had heard of the videos and exercise stuff that came with it. She will be glad to know that she is not going crazy.
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