Exercise!

As a brand new mom, or as a seasoned mother, it is vital that we exercise.  I could go on all day about the health benefits of exercise.  But I want to focus on one thing only: your mental health. 

Ever have days when you could scream?  Do you ever feel like you change 25 diapers, do six loads of laundry, and can't remember the last time you used the bathroom?  Some days motherhood is overwhelming.  In the beginning, the physical demands are enormous.  We feed, bathe, clean, change, rock, nurse, feed, change...it's downright exhausting.  I get tired just thinking about it.  Throw in the lack of sleep and added weight...it's tough.  I hear people say all the time, "I'm just too tired to exercise."  I promise you that if you exercise you will have MORE energy.  I promise.  You can't control much in the early years of motherhood.  Taking care of babies is never-ending.  But you can take steps to control your health, your mental health.  Exercising gives you a break, it clears your head.  It feels good to move.  Find something you love to do and find someone to exercise with.  Walk, skate, do yoga, run, jump rope, swim.  Find something.  If you have a parter or a group to exercise with, you will be more likely to keep it up.  You will feel better mentally and emotionally.  This surely makes for a better mommy!

I challenge you to start exercising to improve your mental health!

Be lifted!

Philippians 4:13

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.

Keep Moving!

This week, I took my 2 and 4 year old for their routine yearly doctors examination. Even though we had watched the Berenstein Bears go to the doctor, my kids still didn't like getting their shots - and that's definitely an understatement!

One thing my doctor reminded me of was the importance of daily hard exercise - she suggested one hour per day.

So right after the appointment, we headed for the playground and ran around together too. Phew, I felt better for doing what the doctor ordered and realized I need to take my kids out more!

I noticed one family whose children were riding bikes but they were sitting in the minivan. What a shame I thought! They could have been exercising right along side of their kids and making a better memory together.

I know many moms stress out about fitting exercise into their schedule. How about making exercise a habit for you and your growing kids? When they run, you run too! You'll stay healthier as you keep moving with your energetic kids!

"Out of the mouth of babes and infants You have ordained strength." Psalm 8:2

It's Never Too Late to Exercise

Last week, I did a Losing Weight After Baby podcast with one of my favorite people in the world...MY MOM!

My mom has been my cheerleader all of my life. If you were to meet her, you would probably say something like, "Wow, is she that happy all the time?" She is the most joyful person I have ever known.

I guess you could say her primary way to burn calories for most of her life was through laughing. But now things have changed! For the last 4 years, she's been coming with me to spin class, twice a week, faithfully! This is quite a miracle because for the first 55 years of her life, she has not exercised at all!

So you see moms, it's never too late to make exercise a priority. My mom has set aside 2 hours each week for exercise and it's been a huge benefit. She feels healthier and knows her heart is getting stronger. And the older we get, the more important this becomes.

Don't worry about your past. Think of my mom. If she can start exercising after 55 years of doing nothing, you can start too!

"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things
which are ahead, I press toward the goal..." Phil. 3:13-14

-Arlene

But I Don't Feel Like Going to the Gym!

I am by no means a morning person. If it was up to me, I would roll out of bed at the crack of 8 am and treasure every last minute of sleep. But last month, my husband and I joined a gym close to our home. My goal is to get there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning before the kids wake up to exercise.

This Wednesday when the alarm rang, I wanted so badly to turn it off and say "Forget it!" and go right back to bed. Who needs to workout when one can sleep? But then I thought about how I would regret the decision. Before the workout, I never want to go. But after the workout, I always feel re-energized and ready for my day.

My husband's old boss gave me a helpful tip. When you're lying in bed, having that conversation with yourself about how you don't want to wake up, just get up and go to the bathroom. Once you're in the bathroom, you'll be more awake and more able to make that decision to wake up. So when lying in bed just think, "I just have get myself to the bathroom." Baby steps right?

Even when you don't feel like going to the gym or exercising at home, think "mind over matter." Take a baby step to start and you'll be glad you did!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13-Arlene