Hi!

I am so unmotivated when it comes to exercise. I have 3 little boys and run after them all day, but that is not the same as an actual exercise program. I don't like aerobics, I think yoga would be good, and I like to play hockey, but that doesn't start in my town until January. I am thin, but out of shape. I have a pretty good body for 3 kids, and 30 years old (5'3, 110lbs)
What has worked for everyone else?
I would like to do exercise for the metal benefits, (releasing adreniline, and helping with depression).
Got any ideas??
Chantal

p.s. no pool or gym in my area (closest one is 1 hr away)

Chantal, work out once a week, or once every other week, or if you want more, do more. You may find that once you get into it, it'll be easier. Don't put heavy expectations on yourself, just try to start out somewhere, and if you don't like it be it swimming or whatever, try something else. Exercise does help a lot with stress, even moderate.

Chantal,

I thought I never had the time to exercise either. We do so much all day long... who has time.

What I did was that I began writing my exercise on my agenda as an appointment (I also use my kitchen calendar for this).

Everytime something came up on my scheduled exercise time I would refused to change my exercise time, and would tell people that I'm already booked at that time/day. At home, I did the same. Pretty soon everyone figured out that I was serious and consistent with my jogging routine, & needed someone to babysit for me.

Consistency is the key, especially when you have small children. Even if its just to go out for a 15 minute walk. It's hard, but soon everyone gets the hang of it, even the kids.

It's hard for me to say the perfect words to get you motivated. I got motivated by myself when the bathroom scale tipped at 235 pound! I've jogged since and lost 65 pounds since.
Maybe you can find a walking partner or walking club in your community Perhaps you can begin to keeping a journal to see your progress.

Whatever it is you need to figure out what drives you, what motivates you, what keeps you going. You obviously don't need to loose any weight but you do need to exercise your heart. It does wonders for anxiety!

Hi Chantal!

The hardest part of exercising is getting out the door!

I can't say enough about the benefits of a good work out! There are so many things you can do! Walking, jogging, biking, jumping rope, and jumping up and down on a trampoline are ones that you can do whenever you please!

I actually do all of them on different days!
First thing in the morning or it just won't happen

When the endorphins kick in you will feel sooo good, you will be so glad you did it!

I'm about the same size as you and also lift weights. I went to this dance class awhile back w/ a friend just for the fun of it. The instructor was very thin and a great dancer. She took one look at me and said,"Wow, are you buff!" I'm no body builder but, I am very well toned. As Lucinda says," We do it for the mental aspect and the pay off is a great body!

You can start feeling so good that you just want to keep doing it. It's just part of my daily routine now.

Just do it!~
Diane

quote:

Originally posted by Chantal:
Hi!

I am so unmotivated when it comes to exercise. I have 3 little boys and run after them all day, but that is not the same as an actual exercise program. I don't like aerobics, I think yoga would be good, and I like to play hockey, but that doesn't start in my town until January. I am thin, but out of shape. I have a pretty good body for 3 kids, and 30 years old (5'3, 110lbs)
What has worked for everyone else?
I would like to do exercise for the metal benefits, (releasing adreniline, and helping with depression).
Got any ideas??
Chantal

p.s. no pool or gym in my area (closest one is 1 hr away)

I'm a complete exercise convert. I was not only unmotivated but afraid to exercise. However, after taking a long time to get really committed to it, I now do about 30-35 minutes of aerobic exercise every morning, and I love it. I actually look forward to getting out of bed and exercising! Sometimes if I come home from a long day of classes and feel sluggish, I'll exercise again, for a shorter period, just to get a burst of energy. Believe me, once you start exercising regularly, you won't want to stop! Not only does it give you more energy, but it helps enormously with your anxiety symptoms.

I'm a big fan of exercise tapes. I realize it kind of defeats the purpose of "getting out there" and exercising, but I figure that I spend my whole day "out there." I LOVE exercise tapes because I can just roll out of bed in the morning, have something quick to eat, then do a tape. It's very convienent and it saves a lot of time. Not to mention, it makes it really easy to exercise EVERY day, because a rainy or very hot or very cold or very snowy (which happens a lot here in Michigan!) day doesn't throw your routine off. It's something you can do every single day.

I am a HUGE fan of Leslie Sansone's in-home walking tapes. They are low-impact and strenuous enough that you feel like you're working, but not so much that you feel like you're going to pass out after. She has a new set of tapes that includes a one-, two-, and three-mile walk, which include parts you can do with or without weights. I do the two-mile every morning, and, if I need a little "lift" or stress reliever after classes, I'll do the one-mile some evenings. Anyway, her tapes are definitely the best exercise videos I've found out there for someone who wants an effective but not high-impact workout. Kathy Smith also has some great tapes, including her "Time Saver Cardio Fat Burning," which is one of my favorites.

Anyway, if you have little kids around and not much time, exercise tapes are a GREAT option. I know that I find they are perfect because I don't have to spend extra time driving to a gym (or paying for gym fees!), and I can do it no matter what the weather is like. You might want to check out Collage Video, which has a HUGE selection of tapes, and employees who will help you select a tape that fits your needs. It's a great company.

Be well,
Lori

Chantal,

I have been exercising for 3+ years now. I FEEL great because of it! It took me a loooong time to figure out what works for me. Unfortunately I work out in a gym which is not an option for you. I found that listening to audio books while I am working out has given me real incentive to work out because I don't allow myself to finish the book the first work out. I have to go work out to find out what is going to happen next. You can get the audio books at the library.
You said that you don't like aerobics... but you like other physical games. Have you tried walking? You can work up to walking at a faster pace which would increase your heart rate. Can you take your kids to the park or the back yard and play soccor or tag or... with them? Believe me I do that with my niece and nephew from time to time and I FEEL it the next day. At least you would be spending time with your kids too.
Good luck to you.
Diane

quote:

Originally posted by Chantal:

What has worked for everyone else?
I would like to do exercise for the metal benefits, (releasing adreniline, and helping with depression).
Got any ideas??
Chantal

p.s. no pool or gym in my area (closest one is 1 hr away) [/B]

Chantal,
My lifesaver was walking! Just putting one foot in front of the other and breathing deeply. It always helps and clears your mind! Also some good old fashioned yard raking takes the mind off the thoughts! I hope this helps~Leona new member