A Realistic Workout

So what is a realistic workout? This is something I have been struggling with and probably will always struggle with. I was never the athlete. I do not enjoy beating myself into submission. Goals and statistics mean nothing to me. The big question today is how to exercise when you're not good at it, don't have the time, don't have the drive, and especially when you're not always sure why.

Being a mom with lots of jobs and activities, I really don't have time for an hour in the gym every day. The good days are the days that I have 30-60 minutes off where I could choose to exercise (sacrificing other things I'd like to do during that time like cleaning, relaxing, napping, etc). So I need exercises that I can fit into all of the different types of days I have. The days where I don't have time, the days where I do have time, and the days that I have time but choose to use it for something else.

Here are some of the options I have had success with. Maybe they'll help you. (If nothing else, skip to #4, because I put the best tip at the end.)

1. Taking walks/runs. I am just not at the place yet where I can or will get up early just to go walk/run in the cold. So we keep this as a social option of exercise. My husband and I like to take walks/runs together when it is a nice day and we have time. It's wonderful to be able to chat and workout together.

2. Xbox Kinect Your Shape. My husband is a gamer, so we have some expensive exercise equipment in the house on our TV. There are several game stations that offer exercise games, but my favorite after trying several is the Xbox Kinect Your Shape. It offers all types of workouts. It looks at your body and tells you if you're doing them correctly. It also shows a very realistic (complete with fat bulges) view of your body on the screen as it works out. I've found this quite motivating. The game follows your statistics and gives you grades on your workouts so you can keep improving. It also changes up your workouts tailoring them to your skill level. The game is not perfect, but I've found that it gives me a good workout without going overboard and making me frustrated. It works you out like a workout video, except it's like having a trainer in the room that corrects your form. The bad thing about this game is you have to have time to do it without kids around. You also need a big space to workout in without anyone coming into it (for us that means using precious naptime minutes and the hassle of moving the couches around). I like to use this exercise method when I have the time to myself. It is the hardest workout that I have available.

3. Elliptical. We do have an elliptical. However, it is really old so a) it squeaks something awful and b)the settings are old school and it starts the resistance a little too high for my out of shape knees. I love the elliptical, but ours kind of sucks. I can go to the gym and do it forever, but I can only handle ours for about 10 minutes before my knees start giving out, needing to stop before my heart rate gets up. So this is a hopeful future workout as I get stronger.

4. Workout as you relax! Weird concept I know, but this one has helped me the most. My husband picked this up from some tips off The Biggest Loser. At first, I thought he was crazy, but I've since become a bit addicted to it. We like to watch quite a lot of TV and movies at night. So instead of just sitting there, we've started using the dumbells to do arm exercises as we watch, doing situps, push ups, and pilates exercises. It feels a little embarrassing at first with your partner right there and like you're going to deprive yourself of relaxation time. Yet, I feel more relaxed after as I get to enjoy my program, get rid of guilt for just sitting, and feel accomplished by the muscles I feel growing hard all over my body. I've found I have a tendency to do more reps while I'm distracted by TV. Oddly enough, I get more work done while I'm relaxing (when the pressure if off) than when I have a whole hour set aside just to work out by myself.

Please hear my shouts of encouragement over the internet and start working while you relax! It's the best feeling and makes the relaxation feel more complete. Just give it a try! It doesn't really matter what you do, how well you do it, or for how long. Just do something!

I am always looking for more good ideas for realistic workouts. Feel free to share!