Nutrition Know How

I challenged my fellow bloggers to try something new that excited them for exercise or increased health benefits.  I didn’t know that I would have so much to write about.  It all started with this great new DVD I purchased, called “Squeeze It In.”  It’s a great workout video that convinces you that exercise can be fit into a normal “Mom” day, without going to the gym.  It also promotes an incredible webpage that gives you tons of ideas to stay motivated.  I love the squats while you’re blow drying you hair in the morning—they call them “Hot Squats!”  I have found new muscles that haven’t been used in years.  I sincerely recommend this.

By pure chance, my son’s Scout troop went on a bike ride on one of our local trails in June.  Since I am the only adult in the family who owns a bike—I got to go.  What you don’t know is that I haven’t ridden my bike in over 13 years.  I had to dust it off before I used it.  Amazingly—it was a ton of fun.  Now we have plans to incorporate a family bike ride/Dad run into our weekly routine to shake it up at home.  A sore toushy was the only problem.  How great it was to feel the wind in my hair again.  I just need to get over the death grip on my bike!

One non-exercise thing that I really find helpful—new recipes and meal ideas.  I have a family who would be happy with the same five things every week, and breakfast for dinner is a necessity in our house.  So I go through magazines, newsletters, websites (thanks to my great job!), and the newspaper.  I also work with a great bunch of friends who cook!  And they are GOOD cooks.  So, I picked up a few Weight Watchers magazines.  They had some great new recipes to try.  I am back at it (much to my families concern), trying at least one, if not more new recipes every week.  Last week I tried a breakfast pizza on a whole wheat crust with low-fat cheese and three eggs for the entire pizza.  It was a keeper!  Maybe there is hope for them yet!

Finally, my friend Alice introduced me to a term that I  truly LOVE!!!  I am a Baby Boomer.  Sad to say—but yep—I’m getting older.  BUT!  There is hope.  There is a new term out—ZOOMERS!  These are Baby Boomers who take their health very seriously, and embrace their age—and their health, so that they will live longer.  I love this!!!  Yep—I’m a ZOOMER.  I will succeed at being healthier.  I will succeed at losing weight!  I will have more birthdays!  If you’re still keeping track—I’m at 60 pounds.  I have been at a plateau this summer—but will overcome that too!  As I always say—if I can do this—so can you.  So grab your grocery cart and do a few lunges while shopping next time.  Women will think your weird, and men will follow you around!

If you’ve read the last two articles posted you may be noticing a trend.  This month we all agreed to write about how we are challenging ourselves to become more physically fit.  So for the last couple of months I’ve been training for the Gretna Days Resurrection Run.  I am not what you would call a natural runner and it isn’t my favorite form of physical activity.  But in this stage of my life it’s one of the few physical activities I could find time to fit in.  After putting my kids to bed I can just put on my running shoes and step outside for a run.

My goal was to run twice a week for two months prior to the July 17 run.  Sounds easy enough but sometimes this was a real challenge and man Nebraska is humid in July.  A few times I walked and ran during my lunch breaks.  I’m sure people thought I looked funny running in dress clothes and running shoes. 

The two mile mark was near my house and my husband, kids, and mom were there to cheer me on.  That definitely made it all worth it and motivated me to keep running.  My 4 year old had a huge smile on his face when he saw me.  He handed me a bottle of water as I ran by.  I see why people get into running.  It is a great endorphin booster and I may just have to try to sneak in another race this summer or fall.

I start my ride on a down hill, luckily. Most mornings, it’s still a bit cool out and the breeze is refreshing. As I make my way to the trail that takes me to work, I watch the passing cars and think to myself, “Look at me, I’m biking to work!”

The city of Omaha kicked off the Bike Omaha Commuter Challenge on May 17th, encouraging more people to leave the car in the garage and commute to work actively, using a bike. I’d always thought the idea of biking to work sounded great, but how could I actually make it work? For some  good advice I turned to Activate Omaha’s cycling resources page.

Before my first bicycle commute, I planned. I checked out the roads and trails that I’d be taking to get to work, that way I would hopefully avoid any surprises. My first day of commuting I found myself breathing a little harder than I thought I should be and struggling to make it up the last hill before I reached the office. It never seemed that big in my car! Funny how biking makes you pay attention and notice your surroundings. Locking my bike up, and heading into the office with my helmet and backpack, I felt proud. I was excited to have set a goal and to have reached it! It’s not possible for me to bike to work everyday, but I try to go at least once a week, sometimes more, and unfortunately, sometimes less. I ride when I can and plan to continue riding to work even after the challenge ends in August.

I’ve found that one of the best parts of commuting to work on a bicycle is that I’m getting exercise with a purpose. So often I put off exercising because it is an “extra thing to do.” Since I have to get to work one way or another, why not also get my physical activity in for the day too!? This way, I have eliminated my excuse to skip my exercise.

Another great part about biking to work is that it makes me feel free. I get to feel the air flow by me, sun on my skin, and my muscles working. Hands down, that is way better than sitting in my car at a stop light.

My husband will be very happy with my blog this month and he deserves all the accolades I’m about to bestow.  I’m able to exercise after my second child because I have a very supportive husband.  He knows how important it is for me to exercise.  I’m sure he’d add that I’m always a little happier after a good workout so he benefits too.
 
Back when my daughter was born, she and I would go on an hour long walk together after work.  When she was 6 months old, I got a jogging stroller and we started running together.  It was great.  We had a lot of fun together.
 
In March of this year, I gave birth to a son.  My stroller walk approach was great when I had one child, but with a two year old and an infant, I’m lucky if we can make it the 200 yards to our neighborhood park.  At this stage, I have to find time away from the kids to get a good cardio workout.  I count all the lifting of them I do during the day as my strength training workout.  

I tried waking up early to exercise before the kids were awake, but then my son decided to wake up early too.  I finally had to admit that I needed help. 
 
I told my husband that I was getting frustrated and wanted to find a way to workout.  I didn’t have to workout every day like I used to.  I’d be content with setting a goal of working out twice a week.  He offered to help me have some time to invest in myself. 

My routine is a little different than it used to be too.  I love to run outside, but there are times when I use the home gym so I can help my husband if needed.   We have an exercise area in the basement with plenty of exercise DVD’s, a treadmill and an elliptical machine. 
 
Making time to exercise is a challenge when you have very young kids.  Asking for help, whether it’s a supportive spouse, extended family, or a good friend, can make all the difference.