Ways This Busy Working Mom Sneaks Exercise into Her Schedule - A Blog

I have found that with two kids in several different activities covering every night of the week, and also with being involved in activities such as weekly game groups with friends, book clubs, and writing groups not to mention the 45+ hours a week I put in at my full time job outside the home - going to the gym or even getting a solid half hour of exercise in each day is a rare occurrence.  To compensate for this I have started sneaking in exercise in small bursts whenever I can throughout each day. 

One day sitting at my desk I realized that was mostly what I had been doing, jut sitting at my desk.... all day... way too much!  SO I googled "desk exercises" thinking maybe there was something I could do during the day, little things while still at work, to help me start getting into better shape.  There were TONS of exercises available for me to choose from, and they ranged from subtle (no one could tell I was doing them) to not so subtle (that is okay everyone in my office trying to lose weight or get into better shape). 

Some of my favorite "desk exercises" include leg lifts at my chair, lunges and squats every time I get up to fax something and a really cool exercise where you do a sort of reverse push up bracing your arms on the arms of your chair and lowering your body toward the ground then raising yourself back up using your arms.  I do these several times throughout the day while I am working.   Another one I do is the stomach muscles workout where you are squeezing your stomach muscles and holding them while controlling your breathing.  All of these are relatively low impact but still effective toward upping your total time exercising daily.  I noticed they sell under desk stationary bicycles and it is my goal to eventually get one to use with everything else I am already doing.

A higher impact exercise I do throughout the day is great to get the blood pumping - I will stand up and stretch out a little then jump up and down ten times or so until I feel my heart pumping a little faster.  This one is great in the afternoon when I am starting to get a little drowsy - it helps to wake me up some.  I also try every hour or so to get up and walk a brisk lap through our small building.  Getting the exercise in at work helps me to enjoy my evenings with my kids and husband more instead of worrying about when I can fit in a "workout".

As I have been doing these things they have motivated me a little further.  I volunteered to help out with my daughter's soccer team and they made me coach.  This is my second season coaching now and I love it.  I have to be there twice a week anyways since it is a league where you can't just leave your kid there - a parent HAS to stay during the practice.  She gets mad if I try to read or use the time for anything else plus I love watching her so coaching was a logical thing for me.  I love teaching the kids and playing games with them to show them the fundamentals of the game.  In doing this I am getting more time with my daughter as well as tons more exercise as well.  IN her league they do not have officials but rather the coaches run up and down the field with the kids watching them and keeping track of the game.  It has been great for helping me achieve more exercise as well.

We also have been trying to increase our exercise at home with the kids.  We got a Wii and a Wii fit.  We love playing the games with the kids.  We also LOVE to take the kids to the park on the weekends to play frisbee golf or to go geocaching.  Sometimes we will also take our kids to just walk around the Air Force Base Museum or the Boonshoft (science museum). 

Overall I feel like I am getting more exercise then I would have if I had went to the gym on a regular basis, as I am making a conscious effort to be more active whenever and whereever I can.  I am halfway to my goal weight and feel like I can make it all the way.   I am happier, healthier, getting more time with my family, and I HAVE MORE ENERGY then I have had in years.  Even though it is not traditional forms of exercise, it is still working great for me and fits my busy schedule. 

  I hate having to wake up when I am tired instead of sleeping till I am ready to get up, without anything extra my day already starts at 6:30am everyday - I realize I cannot "plan" to get up early and work out - it just won't happen!  Sleep is not something I am willing to sacrifice, and I have managed to work around this.  You just have to have the will to find a way.  In my opinion there is no such thing as not having enough time - you just have to make the effort to find a way to make things fit without having to sacrifice too much to make it happen.  Know your limitations, know your options and work it out! When you pick something that fits you AND your schedule it is way easier to stick to.

 I find feeling good about myself to be very empowering!