Glorifying God in my body: Finding motivation to exercise
I have a question about your morning run. How long have you been running? How far do you run? I am interested, because I want to take up jogging but I just cannot get motivated, any help or advice you can give will be greatly appreciated.Great questions, Rural Momma. I wish I could tell you that I've been running for years and that I run four miles every morning. But alas! I just recently began running again and I'm only up to between a half mile and a mile right now. I've never been a very athletic sort and so running a less than a mile without stopping three to four mornings per week is actually a big accomplishment for me (pathetic, isn't it?).
I recently took running back up again because I noticed I was feeling rather sluggish the majority of the time. While I was getting enough sleep most nights, I still felt tired during the day. I realized that this was probably a sign I was not getting enough physical exercise, so I began running and it's made a huge difference in the way I feel.
I'll be real honest and tell you that most mornings I try to come up with a dozen excuses as to why I can't run: I'm too tired, I got up late, it looks like it's going to rain... and on and on it goes. However, when I start to remember how great I feel after I run and how great I feel the rest of the day and how well I sleep at night, my excuses quickly melt away and I put on my running clothes and head out the door.While feeling more energized is a big motivator for me, my greatest motivation is that I want to be physically fit and healthy for years to come. I want to be around to see my children's children, should God will for me to live that long. And I want to take what measures I can now, to prevent as many health problems as possible later in life.
I don't have hours of time each day to devote to my physical health, but I can do what I can: running in the mornings, taking my vitamins, drinking lots of water, striving to eat a wholesome diet, getting proper rest... all of these things are little ways I can invest in my health now to reap the benefits later (in addition to reaping benefits now as well!).
Bodily exercise won't get me into heaven, but I do believe it will allow me a more vibrant and productive life here on this earth. My health is ultimately in God's hands, but it is my responsibility to make wise choices as a steward of the resources He has given me and to take care of my body as His temple.
I'd love to hear from the rest of you: How do you fit exercise into your schedule and what kind of exercise do you do? What helps to keep you motivated?
Labels: Health and Nutrition
posted by Crystal Paine at 11:30 AM
42 Comments:
I am not a runner. I've tried and failed miserably! But, alas, I've found another wonderful way to keep moving. I borrow Leslie Sansone walking videos from the library. She's done so many that I can choose a different one each week and not repeat for months. Another thing I like about these videos is that there is one for each available timeslot. I can walk anywhere from one mile to four miles depending on the time I want to put into it.
This summer I've finally taken advantage of our local YMCA. I take my toddler with me and he plays in the nursery while I work out/do some weights. Then I grab a quick shower while I'm there. I feel better and my son gets to play with new toys! More importantly, I have more energy and am getting stronger.
My husband and I have started holding each other accountable for our physical activity each week day. We both have terrible family history to live up to, (diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer!)We want to live a better life than we are seeing our grandparents live. It's hard to see them struggle through obesity. We have started with core Bible verses to keep us focused, we pray, and then we go run. Where we live we are lucky to have this great uphill two mile run. Its challenging and so rewarding once you get to the top! I couldn't do it without the support of my hubbie. :-)
I have been a runner for a few years now, but took a hiatus due to two babies being born a year apart. :) So I just really got back into it since January. I usually do about 2 miles, four times a week.
My husband is a teacher, so the best time for me to go is late afternoon. The biggest motivator for me this time around has been not putting ANY pressure on myself. In the past, I was very focused on how far I ran and what my time was, but this go 'round I decided just to shelve all of that and concentrate on just getting exercise. Which has made running SO much more enjoyable! :)
I feel so good when I get a little exercise in to start the day. I too, use the Leslie Sansone videos. I own the 1 & 3 mile ones and use them accordingly when I have the time.
I love Leslie Sansone! I've been doing her walking workouts for years.
We don't live in a very nice neighborhood, so as much as I would love to just get out and walk, I just don't feel safe by myself. Being able to exercise in my living room is a blessing!
What's motivating me is trying to lose baby weight! My daughter is nearly 4 mos. and I haven't lost a thing since she was 2 weeks old. (Whatever happened to burning extra calories nursing?) I used to walk about 3x/week. Now I'm doing 5x/week and hopefully will start seeing results!
But regardless of losing weight, I just simply feel a whole lot better if I exercise regularly. :)
Crystal-
Do you have Jesse watch the girls or do you push them in a jogger while you run? (maybe you already discuessed that and I missed it!) :)
Also, I am about to have a baby and hence start breast feeding. Does exercising affect breast feeding?
Thanks so much!
Good JOB! Before marriage and children I was a personal trainer. Having said that, since having kids I haven't really worked out at all...except some during my pregnancies. I am tring to get back on track with my workouts since I am almost 6 wks postpartum. I do find it difficult it find time though with a 5 wk. old and 15 month old....and my husband is deployed currently. :( I don't know how you run while lactating. I always find that its really painful. Instead I use the elliptical trainer and do various floor excerises while my 15 month old daughter tries to mock me..LOL.
Keep up the good work. Working out does make you feel so much better during the day doesn't it?
I can't seem to get in as much activity as I'd like, but I figure something is better than nothing! So lately I have been marching in place whenever I can during the day! I walk in place in the shower, while I'm doing dishes, etc. We've been pitting cherries lately so I've even been marching in place while I stand at the counter doing that. My husband's workplace handed out pedometers for a health challenge they were doing, and he let me borrow it one day to see how many steps I am getting in during the day. My total was not as many as I had hoped! So marching in place during the day gets me moving a little more than before. My hope is that every bit helps!
Crystal, I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! :) Ya' know, there's a 5k race coming up in August -- you should enter -- you just might be up to 3.1 miles by then! lol Really -- I am proud of you for taking care of your body! :) Good job!
I am 37 years old, have 4 (soon to be 5) children, and I have diabetes type 2. For exercise, I walk each morning. My 2 year old gets up really early while everyone else is still asleep. So, I put her in the stroller, and off we go. I walk for about 30-40 minutes now each morning. It helps my blood sugar levels tremendously! And, it just makes me feel good all day long. Now, when I dont go out for my daily walk, I feel really sluggish the rest of the day. I can really tell the difference.
Crystal, I recently started the "Couch to 5K" program. You can see it here http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
It is designed to take someone who doesn't run at all to running a 5K in 30 minutes in 9 weeks time. I just finished week 1 and it really is a great program! I am not a runner at all, and I have got a bunch of pounds to lose, but it is something that I can do. It really eases you into running and it only takes 20-30 minutes three times a week.
Ashley
I agree about the videos from the library. I've found it's a great way for me to stay motivated with new and different workouts. It's extremely hot here right now, too hot for me to get outside and walk with my daughter in the stroller, so videos inside are my current exercise of choice.
My mom lives in a small town nearby, and when we visit, I will sometimes pay for a one-day pass to her gym. This gives me a chance to work out in a "real gym" and a chance for my daughter to enjoy some grandma time.
I am not a runner, but enjoy walking. I work full time, so between keeping up with the cleaning and everything else that needs to be done to run our home, I walk during my lunch hour. I get in a little less than two miles in 45 minutes and use the last 15 minutes to eat my lunch.
I also work out at a gym three times per week and lift weights during that time. Our health insurance pays for the majority of the monthly cost (as long as we go at least 8 times per month) so it only costs us about $8 out of pocket per month for this great facility.
I have had a hard time getting myself to the gym, (I can come up with every excuse not to go also), but have noticed the pounds creeping up again, so it has become more of a priority to make sure I stick with it!
My husband and I rearranged our budget a little (about a year ago) for me to be able to afford a gym membership at our local YMCA. The YMCA membership costs a little more than most places, but has CHILDCARE (ages 6 weeks until they turn 7)! You get as much as 2 hours per day M-Sat. for childcare. This has been such a lifesaver for me. My health is tremendously better, though I was never overweight, I was definitely out of shape. My children get some socialization with other children their ages and I get to work out knowing they are being taken care of.
Now that I have a pretty good routine, I LOVE going and look forward to the days I get to workout. I've also gained half as much weight so far in this pregnancy (27 weeks) as I did with my other 2.
I've always been an excerciser because, like you, it makes me feel more energetic. These days it's post partum pounds that's keeping me motivated. Our baby's 6 weeks old now so it's now or never. I do Leslie Sansone videos and alternate other days on my elliptical machine.
I recently heard about a running program called "Couch to 5K" that I am hoping to get going on here very soon. It's supposed to ease you into running and then at the end of three months, you should be able to run a 5 K!! We'll see! HA HA
I have three children ages 13, 9 and 6. We take walks in the morning for about an hour. My two younger ones ride their bikes, and they have walkie talkies so if they get too far ahead I can tell them to slow down (we live in a safe neighborhood). It is a wonderful time of fellowship with my oldest daughter as well as some great excercise! It does help me feel better, too! Keeping my kids involved helps keep me motivated because they always ask me "are we walking today?". Unless it is raining, we do!
way to go ! In high school I was on the track team. I would place in the top three for all races!! After having nine blessing, I can't even run for 5mins. I am gasping for air !!! My hubby laughs and tells me I am not 18 any more ! I need to shed about sixty pounds from my blessings. Any ideas ladies? I am so out of shape! and really need to get those pounds off, in case God blesses us with more little ones.
Our apartment building has a long corridor that the kids like to run in and bike in. Chasing two small ones up and down that is great exercise, as well as walking to the laundry room and back a few times a day to switch my load or two of the day. I also walk or bike all over town since we are about 3 blocks from all the stores, our bank, our library, and only 6-8 blocks from our best friend's houses and my folk's and the 2 nice parks in town. Saves on gas too!
I posted last month about the couch to 5k running plan we've been doing: http://joyoffrugalliving.blogspot.com/2008/05/works-for-me-wednesday-running-plan.html.
We've now finished this initial plan and are moving on to the next goal - doing a 10k. Another good site for running, beside the one listed in my post, is halhigdon.com. He has all levels and distances.
I've found that having the plan and checking off our accomplishments has been very helpful. Doing it with my husband has been great too. I feel so much better these days.
Good luck, and thanks for sharing with us.
Jennifer
I walk 2 miles 3-4 days a week. I also add in an exercise video 2 days for strength training. Walking or strength training, I spend 30 minutes each day exercising. You are right that exercise makes us feel better and gives us more energy!:)
Before we got married, my husband and I both had memberships at a health club, and I worked with a personal trainer 2-3 times a week. Then we married, left our higher paying jobs and moved so that my husband could become a Youth Pastor, and we could no longer afford the gym. We were sure we could stay fit by working out at home... we were wrong. We just found too many excuses not to, and it was really hard for us to stay motivated. We've really been suffering from the lack of consistent exercise. This week, we took advantage of a free one-week trial offered by a local health club, and it turns out that they were having a terrific summer special. For just $10 a week, we could get a couples' membership. This is the nicest gym in town - brand new, state-of-the-art equipment, tons of amenities and great classes, and the owner's a Christian. I looked over our budget (it's TIGHT!)and realized that now that our garden is in and beginning to produce, I could cut back on our grocery budget and we could totally afford this! We are so excited to be back in the gym again - just walking in the door motivates me. The members are real people living healthy lifestyles - it's not a "flesh factory" like some other gyms I've been to. Already this week our energy has skyrocketed - I'm much more productive during the day, and I can't wait to get up in the morning and hit the gym. This was a real answer to prayer!
I so needed to read this this morning! I am trying to get motivated to run, and need to allow myself a "small start", before I expect to be able to achieve alot. Thanks for the reminder that 20-30 minutes, a few times a week, actually does help :-)
Good view on a good topic, Crystal.
We negotiated a pretty good deal at our gym a few years ago and I don't know what I would do without that membership. I try to go every day (it works out to be 4-6 days a week, depending) first thing in the morning. The kids get to play with other kids, I get a break and start the day with "me time," getting the endorphines going and starting my metabolism right just after breakfast.
The classes are good, but I like the time doing cardio the best...I bring a Parenting magazine most days, but usually just let my mind wander, thinking about everything and nothing and clearing my head.
Working out so often, I rarely need to count calories which keeps my stress level down. I'm not naturally thin, but working out keeps me fit and lean(ish) and feeling good. It's completely addicting once you get started!
I have been using a pedometer and walkertracker.com the last two months. This has been really motivating for me to have a daily/monthly goal and actual progress! My usual day (as a full-time employed wife) involves one 15 walk in the morning and a quick stretch. In the evenings, I add at least one "mile walk" video plus some more extensive stretching/yoga. My work keeps me busy, trotting up and down a flight of stairs every 30 minutes at least. Those steps add up!
When I feel adventurous, I tackle a Firm video for strength training.
Our family has had Y membership for over a year. Our monthly fee comes out of our entertainment budget because our Y offers so many things that we can do together as a family like swimming, playing games, and running on the track. I try to attend group classes because its more fun for me to exercise with other people than alone, but when I'm not able to I run in my neighborhood, sometimes early in the morning before my husband goes to work or in the evenings when he returns. Excercising is important to me for health reasons and I do make it a priority. I just try to be very flexible about what I do and when I do it. And I also realize that a week may go by that my schedule just did not make time for exercise, and I try again the next week. I just don't give up.
What a great post, Crystal! I love your balanced perspective on physical fitness.
Since I gave birth to our 3rd child just 7 weeks ago, this is definitely an area I'm working on (getting back into "shape", that is). Like you, I don't have huge amounts of time to devote to fitness, but I try to do some kind of exercising on a daily basis- sit ups, walking, or an exercise video in my home (my girls enjoy doing this along with me!).
My biggest struggle by far is finding the time (and sometimes the energy) to exercise.
What a great post. I have always struggled with motivation to exercise, and I find that I do better when I am in a group setting or doing something with a purpose. So, I am riding my bike several miles to and from work twice a week. I am finding that I am really enjoying this much more than I thought I would.
When I was in high school cross-country, I learned a few tricks that helped me. Having workout clothes out the night before makes it easier to run in the morning (some people even slept in workout clothes). It is helpful to run with someone else. Finishing something can be motivating, so choose a time (and take a timer) or a certain route before you start running so you know when you'll be done. Variety helps. Warming up really makes a difference, so do a few minutes of brisk walking or slow jogging before running. Intervals can be more effective than a steady pace.
I also find it helpful to pray, meditate on scripture, or enjoy God's creation while running.
I am totally a 'gym' person -- I need the motivation of others working out beside me! lol That said, I just wanted to encourage anyone that WANTS to be in a gym, but thinks they can't afford it -- if you have a local YMCA near you -- check out their scholarships. The Y will not refuse anyone for financial reasons. They will give up to a 60% discount if there is proven financial assistance needed. :)
I've been running (on and off, I must admit) for about 6 months. I've found that running in the evening works best for me. My fiance is also an evening runner, so when we get married (in 25 days), that should work out nicely. I often come up with excuses not to, but I really do enjoy running. The farthest I've run so far (without stopping) is 2 miles (on a treadmill). I'd love to run a 5k at some point, so I guess I'd better get more consistent.
I go to a Pilates class with a friend. It is in the evening and it is lovely to be out on my own for an hour a week. Pilates is also great because unlike a lot of exercise you can do it when you are pregnant (as long as you have a good teacher) I am 8months pregnant now it is is great for stopping me vegitate on the sofa!
I've never been a real motivated person as far as exercise goes, but it has been a real burden lately to take better care of the temple God gave me.
I now get up at 5:30am each day and head to "Curves". My hubby is still home to stay with the girls while their sleeping and I feel really charged the rest of the day.
As an added benefit, our girls know that I am getting up in order to take better care of my body, and that sets a good example for them.
This was very timely, Crystal. My exercise is so sporadic it's almost non-existent. I ran track and cross country in school and loved it, and I need to pick it up again. Loved the link in the comments for the Couch to 5K program!
A few years ago the Lord brought into my life a mini trampoline.
I can't tell you what this little contraption means to me and my family. Before I was married my Doctor told me I had chronic fatigue. I was having a hard time just getting through the day never mind exercising! This website has information on mini trampolines helped tremendously in my recovery and taken me from a size 8-10 down to a steady size 4.
http://www.healthbounce.com/
Jeromy and I hit the gym at 5:45am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and at 8am on Saturdays. His motivation is purely me. If I'm out of bed with my sweats on, then he has to get up too. Also, his father had a heart attack at the age of 44. That's always in the back of his mind.
My motivation is mostly to stay at [what I feel is] my comfortable weight without having to diet (meaning; yes you CAN enjoy that meal, and yes you can even have dessert!).
Other motivations are feeling stronger, healthier, toned, and more alert during the day. (I used to fall asleep reading to my former nanny charges, and I also regret not having more energy for more lively activities with them. It was kind of funny though, I'd be nodding off during a sentence, and the 3-year-old in my lap would be like, "Keep reading!"
My dream is to own a treadmill and some a resistence system (like bow flex or something), but for now our gym membership is well worth it for the health benefits!
We start with the treadmill for 30-35 minutes. Jeromy runs 3 miles while I walk briskly at the highest incline. I despise running, and this gets my heart rate just as high, so I love it.
After cardio we hit up some machines. I do the hip abductor/adductor, leg press, leg curl, lap pull down, bicep curls, and bench machine. That's it! Oh, and we have an exercise ball at home (don't you LOVE those!) for sit ups and stretches throughout the week.
To be honest, I can't stand working out. It's hard. But so far we have kept it up, even on vacations. Staying with the routine is my best advice. Also, putting out your clothes in the morning and drinking 8 ounces of water upon waking. Gets you ready to go! Just don't think about it. Do it, and before you know it, you're done!
I love working out and running especially. In fact when I got pregnant I was training for a marathon!! :)
Right now I don't find much time to run (read: none). I walk sometimes. My husband works long hours and has a long commute, and he's training right now (he runs--and wins--5ks). Once his running 'slacks' a bit in late October, I'll be more able to work out! But we did recently purchase a used jogger stroller and so I want to start getting out in the mornings before it gets too hot to run!!
I have horrible feet (bad ankles surgery on both) so running is definately out for me, but I do enjoy walking briskly around our neighborhood. I used to be in the habit of doing it early in the morning but since the start of this year I've really slacked off, which is pretty evident from my waist line. This post has motivated me to start up again. =) Thanks Crystal!
-Jen K.
I have to tell you that because of this post I got up and walked this morning before the kids got up and while my husband was getting ready for work (my "dead zone" when I usually read blogs!). And God blessed me with having EXTRA time between when I got out of the shower and the kids got up! I hope I can make it a habit!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I am fortunate that my gym offers child care. I try to go 4-5 mornings per week for 1 hr. I have started and stopped exercise routines for years, and I can honestly say that the only time I am successful is when I am exercising for my health, and not for the sole purpose of losing weight. My heatlh, being able to keep up with my 2 year old, my sanity/stress level and wanting to be around to see my family grow are my main motivators to exercise. I also find that I feel worse for not exercising than I do after exercising. Great post, thanks for sharing!
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