A really busy weekend has reiterated how hard it can be for Mums to achieve fitness. My boys are becoming more and more demanding, needing to be entertained all the time. They have energy levels that I find unbelievably hard to keep up with. I certainly don’t feel fit enough to be in the toddler zone and today I feel a bit depressed about that. After two months of moderate illness, I feel wheezy and a bit tubby. My legs ache when I walk up the stairs and I don’t really like what I see in the mirror. So, today I have decided I need to take action.
I’ve been focussing on how much I weigh and how cakey my muffin top looks. I think a better approach is to measure how fit I am and how far I can run. My mood is also a good indicator. If I feel lethargic and grumpy, I know that my mind is out of shape, as well as my body. I need to remind myself that fitness is achievable for Mums and getting out of breath climbing the stairs is not acceptable at 34. Before I know it I’ll be another year older and a few pounds heavier. So, I have to quit moaning and stop making excuses. A touch of tiredness can be overcome with a brisk walk and I need to prioritise. It doesn’t matter if the toys aren’t put away, they’ll only get them out again tomorrow.
My action plan for this week looks a bit like this and I think most mothers can achieve this, even with mad toddlers and a full time job to contend with.
Monday
Up at 6am – Lunges, squats, press ups and burpees
Evening 7.30pm - Exercise DVD once the children are in bed and husband is swim training.
Tuesday
Up at 6am – Lunges, crunches, plank, squats.
Lunchtime - 12pm – brisk 3km walk with a colleague.
Wednesday
Evening 7.30pm – Gym – 3 machine circuit to include interval training on the bike, the treadmill and the cross trainer, for 45 minutes.
Thursday
Up at 6am – Lunges, squats, press ups.
Lunchtime – 12pm – Run with colleague, approx. 3 km.
Friday
Take the boys for a long walk.
Evening 7.30pm – Pilates or other fitness DVD.
Saturday
Run – time tbc.
Sunday
Run – time tbc.
Posting this in Body in Bloom affords a certain level of obligation to carry it through. I will post updates every day and, without boring the socks off you lovely people, will post changes in my vital statistics. Maybe it will motivate someone else to aim for fitness, not just a slimmer bod.
Watch this space.
‘Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.’
Jim Ryan
I’ve been focussing on how much I weigh and how cakey my muffin top looks. I think a better approach is to measure how fit I am and how far I can run. My mood is also a good indicator. If I feel lethargic and grumpy, I know that my mind is out of shape, as well as my body. I need to remind myself that fitness is achievable for Mums and getting out of breath climbing the stairs is not acceptable at 34. Before I know it I’ll be another year older and a few pounds heavier. So, I have to quit moaning and stop making excuses. A touch of tiredness can be overcome with a brisk walk and I need to prioritise. It doesn’t matter if the toys aren’t put away, they’ll only get them out again tomorrow.
My action plan for this week looks a bit like this and I think most mothers can achieve this, even with mad toddlers and a full time job to contend with.
Monday
Up at 6am – Lunges, squats, press ups and burpees
Evening 7.30pm - Exercise DVD once the children are in bed and husband is swim training.
Tuesday
Up at 6am – Lunges, crunches, plank, squats.
Lunchtime - 12pm – brisk 3km walk with a colleague.
Wednesday
Evening 7.30pm – Gym – 3 machine circuit to include interval training on the bike, the treadmill and the cross trainer, for 45 minutes.
Thursday
Up at 6am – Lunges, squats, press ups.
Lunchtime – 12pm – Run with colleague, approx. 3 km.
Friday
Take the boys for a long walk.
Evening 7.30pm – Pilates or other fitness DVD.
Saturday
Run – time tbc.
Sunday
Run – time tbc.
Posting this in Body in Bloom affords a certain level of obligation to carry it through. I will post updates every day and, without boring the socks off you lovely people, will post changes in my vital statistics. Maybe it will motivate someone else to aim for fitness, not just a slimmer bod.
Watch this space.
‘Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.’
Jim Ryan
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