A Mile In Your Shoes

                                                                         image Real Simple

I took a little break from my exercise routine for a few weeks recently. Mainly because all of my energy was going to moving my family while still keeping up with the day to day. I was going by the French philosophy of getting my exertion in without actually putting the work out clothes on during those weeks. Plus, I found it difficult to fit in really substantial meals during that crazy time.

But then we threw a week long trip to see family in there, and some illness. So it stretched a little further than I had planned.

I find that I need to exercise for a mental relief from stress. I believe this is true for most people.

But it is getting more and more difficult to actually make the trip to the health club. I feel bad making Walker go to the child care center an excessive amount of times while I work out because he already spends so much time there on Wednesdays. We are at the pool for two hours for all the kids swim lessons.

But last week, I finally did get a bit of my routine back. I went back to my weight lifting class. Body Pump. I ran a little bit. But mostly I have started using our in-home gym.

I currently have very little equipment.
Mostly weights.
But I have found some ways to get a good, heart pounding work out in with what I have.


Do you remember the Jump Rope For Heart event in elementary school? We would gather a team, grab a jump rope, and sit out on the hot baking asphalt for the jump-a-thon. I am amazed when I think back on how we could just jump, and jump, and jump....

Let me tell ya, it is a different story these days!

I recently read a post on this blog about getting in shape using a jump rope. You don't need any equipment but a rope, and a little space.

So I have tried it this week. The post suggests jumping for ten minutes a day. She talks about how it can change your fitness level. So I took the challenge.

*Let me throw out a little warning to all you moms...

*Don't just go start jumping without abandon!!*

The pipes are not as strong as they were pre child birth if you know what I mean. Ha!
But as I have diligently jumped over this past week, I have found that even in that amount of time, things seem to have gained some strength in that area.

I have jumped for ten minutes, in one minute increments. I stop and do lunges, squates, and lift weights in between jumping sets.

It is hard! But it feels so good after.
So maybe find a rope, and try it! Let me know how it works for you, and if you have any tips for me. Del says he is going to do it, and we will have a jump off. I have to beat him!

Another little experiment I tried this week was wearing a pedometer. My sister does this here and there. But I had never measured my steps before. Then I saw one at the store and thought "Why not just SEE how far I walk day to day?"
So I wore it for two very average consecutive days. I did forget to clip it on at 6:00 AM, when I get up, the first day. But I remembered after taking the kids to the bus. So I figure I averaged about 8.5 miles counting the busy morning shuffle, over a two day period.

Both day's activities were just the ordinary routine. The first day I actually took an hour nap, and the second day I did my jump rope work out for half and hour. I was very surprised to see how far I walk on a daily basis!

 I will thank in part, living in a home with three stories. Up and down, up and down those stairs all day long, really adds up! Plus, the pedometer makes me think I can do a little more to add to my steps in the future. I can set a goal of my milage, and by being just a little more conscious of my distance, I will get a good walk in, almost without noticing!

It got me thinking how I had better take care of myself, because no one else is going to show up to walk those 8.5 miles to keep my family, home and life running... but me! So I had better be up to the task!

I do believe that exercise may be needed in addition to the normal task oriented walking every day, depending on the person. But this definitely makes me a little less irritated about running up the stairs for a forgotten item, just ONE more time!

It is fun to see how many miles you walk! Give it a try!