Pittsburgh Nesties
ryanthegirl
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Tell me about how you keep in shape. What's your workout?
Casey's movie is over and I'm tried of feeling frumpy. I now have some time to dedicate to working out. In the past, I belonged to a gym and attended group classes 5-6 days a week. I really enjoyed classes like Boot Camp, Zumba, Step, and Strength Training. As much as I would love to renew my gym membership, most classes don't start until 6 which would not allow me to get home until around 7:30 and G goes to bed around 8. I want to get back in to shape, but I don't want to sacrifice all of my free time with G.
I'm not a fan of running, at all.
What do you ladies do?
Ryan & Casey Married July 17, 2004
Gabriel John Born February 23, 2012
Re: Tell me about how you keep in shape. What's your workout?
Because right now I have no clue how to squeeze exercise into my life. I fear it means giving up knitting group or teaching or all of my other "me" time activities.
Are there late classes at the gym? Or what about the weekend? I totally understand not wanting to be away but sometimes it's good to do something for yourself especially if its for your health. I usually go to a 7:15 class Monday and Wednesdays. Dd goes up to bed around 7:30 (with half hour of bedtime stuff like reading). Dh and I alternate bedtime so those are the nights he takes her up. So I leave around 7 and am really only missing out on a half hour. Then I go on Saturday morning.
You could also try DVDs at home. I don't like them as much but I was doing Jillian michaels a cour years ago. Last year when I was doing Zumba every day I could only do class a few nights and did the rest using the wii Zumba.
I also started running. I know you said you hate it but that's what I thought too. I've come to like it. And I feel like it gives me the best workout of anything! It's made a big difference in toning of my legs. And overall I just feel so much more FIT from running. I feel a million times healthier..it just is such a great overall work out for me
I like Zumba so going to that is my "me" time. And do that a couple nights during bedtime for dd.
Like Amanda said it just has to become a priority. For me, I had to get over the initial hump. Once I start working out I feel better and it becomes addictive. So I want to do it. Not to say some nights I'm exhausted and don't (like last night!). It really does become personal time for me that I enjoy. Some nights when dd is having a meltdown it's nice to leave the house, throw on my music and go run for 30 mins!! I don't have a ton of other me activities though. So instead of reading or watching tv for 30 mins I get in a run instead
I typically do the DVDs at night after the kids are in bed. Not optimal time, but I like to maximize my time with them, and I don't like getting up early so it works for me.
Biking is a fun family event for us. We got a bike trailer for the kids when Nolan was a baby and it has worked out great. DD is almost 5 and they're starting to get a bit crowded, but it still works. We pack a snack and hit the montour or panhandle trail for 60-90 minutes. We typically go 7-12 miles and it's fun--doesn't feel like exercise at all.
To answer Amy's question...if I'm committed to working out, the extent of my me time is dedicated to that, school work/class and that's about it.
Cooking and baking are other things I enjoy, so I try to make nice meals on the weekends (DH cooks during hte week since he's home) and I try to incorporate the kids into baking so it's fun for all of us.
Other than that, a few minutes on pinterest is all I get :-)
I also try to use little pockets of time in the day for small things - planks (and might as well do some push ups while you're down there) and squats mostly. I've carved out one weeknight where I go to the pool right after work to swim laps. I get home an hour later and the boys do their own thing for dinner. Jude calls it "boys night." The fact that it's a Monday helps with any guilt because we've just spent the weekend together.
The other time to consider is your workday. What's your flexibility like? Can you get outside for a walk or a run? I'm lucky to have a gym here - I can pop in for 20 minutes to do weights without getting so disgusting I can't go back to work.
My "me" time is usually the time I spend commuting or cooking. Does sleeping count as me time?
If you're looking to lose weight, I can share what every nutritionist, dietician and gym trainer has told me - all agree that it's 80% nutrution and 20% exercise. So basically like Amanda said - calorie counting. If you're looking to not drop any weight, then you'd only have to burn as many calories as you consume. If you're looking to lose weight you'll need to burn 3500 cals a week or 500 a day on average to lose 1 lb a week. If you want to gain muscle, stregnth train with weights.
For me, what's made a huge difference in seeing how many calories I burn is wearing a body media sensor. It syncs to my iPhone and I can see how many exactly calories I burn daily, how many steps I take, and when I input my food / log my food, I can clearly see if I've over or under calories. It honestly was very eye-opening to see there are times during the day I don't move at all, and calories burned vs. what I thought I burned were very interesting.
My time is limited too, so I try to do exercies at home & in my work cube with some hand weights. Even lunges, squats, etc. Heck, last night was the first time I was a the gym in 2 weeks. I squeeze in cardio when I can, but I'm not a huge fan personally of classes. I use the cardio machines and weight train when I do get to the gym.
Basically since my time is so limited, I have to plan ahead each week and pencil it in as an appointment (and pray nothing happens with the kids that would interfere with the workout time). I think it takes some experimenting to see what works for you and your family. It's hard to fit everything in!! I hope you find something that works for you!
I hated running and used to get annoyed when people would suggest it, because I was NEVER going to like running. It wasn't until I stopped quitting the C25k every time I started, and committed to completing the program, that it actually clicked for me. It is also the only exercise that helped me lose weight (finally). I like it because I can do it wherever and whenever, alone or with a friend. I could go on and on and on, but I am just glad I didn't give up on it because as hard as it was to get here, it really has made a difference in my life in so many positive ways.
The times I work out vary...either early a.m., during lunch, or evening. (So basically any time of day, lol) I just have to make it as high of a priority as my other activities. You don't need to carve out hours every day. Start small, like one day a week for 30 mins, then go from there. I have a 15 minute morning workout pinned...even starting with something like that will help get you used to making the time.
I totally understand about feeling like you're missing out on time with G. With Mason, I had a much harder time making the time to work out because I hated losing more time with him...but as a result, I was pretty unhappy. After Garrett was born, I was committed to making it a part of my life. It took a while, but eventually it wasn't as much effort to make the time. I also wasn't weighed down by missing out on that little time with my kids, because what was the point of more time with them if I was feeling neglected and unhealthy?
When I work out or do social things, it's part of living a good life. I don't need to call it anything special (not sure why, but I don't like "me time") I just do it! I try to live a life I want for my kids to live...I would hate to have them grow up and feel guilty about exercising for 30 minutes a day a few times a week! When I looked at it that way, it seemed kind of silly for me to think I didn't deserve time to work out
or do other things.
If you don't like running, don't force yourself - I only brought it up since you said you struggle with finding the time, and it's one of the easier activities to fit in with a busy schedule. Treadmills can be super boring, but they do have different treadmill workouts where you change your pace/incline throughout, that might make it more interesting or enjoyable for you since you have one at home. (Here are some examples: http://www.pbfingers.com/work-it-out/treadmill-workouts/) Even going for a run/walk in a local park (and you could take G) might make it more enjoyable.
Are there any 24 hour gyms that might work for you? They may not have late classes, but you could go and to the elliptical, bike, etc. There is usually a weekly Fitness post - you can check that out for ideas/motivation/support. Find something you like, start out with manageable goals, and eventually you will find your groove where it's easier to find the time!
Meghan gave some great advice. Start small - one day a week and see how it fits into your schedule. With me I felt better when I ran so that was my motivation to find time to fit it in more regularly.
I've done Beachbody workouts for over 2 years at home (Chalean Extreme is my favorite along with Turbofire, T25 and P90X) and it helped me lose 30lbs and got me back to fitting in jeans I wore in college. Let me know if you'd ever like more info. Shakeology is always my morning go to breakfast.