I've been quietly exercising away over here, and not trying to make a big deal out of it. I almost feel as though writing about it, pontificating on how well I've been doing, will somehow jinx it, and I'll fail.
However, I'm proud of myself, so here goes:
I've done an official exercise session of at least 35 minutes every day for the last three weeks. Woo!
A long time ago, one of my friends said that she had to make a choice. Either she was a woman who exercised daily, or she wasn't. She decided that she was.
I decided that I wasn't. Because I was tired. I was still young. I didn't want to. I had better things to do with my time. I didn't enjoy it. I wasn't an athlete. I would still be overweight, regardless.
I admitted defeat without firing a shot.
A month ago, I stood in front of my mirror in last year's swimsuit, and I looked myself in the eyes. I pulled my shoulders back and sucked my stomach in, and looked myself up and down. I'm stronger. I'm more fit. I'm different.
And that's when I made my decision. I'm an exercise every day kind of woman. I will make time for it, just like I make time for showering or eating or breathing. My day will not be done until I've made time for moving my body.
My weapon of choice lately has been several different Leslie Sansone DVDs - I've been alternating between a four mile "walk" and a two and a half mile "walk/jog" session. I've also been swimming daily and making time to stretch out with some improvised yoga. It works for me. And when it feels stale, I'll move onto something fresh. Because NOT exercising is no longer who I am.
My challenge to you all is to think about who you are - are you a daily exerciser, or not? If not, what is holding you back? Gimme your best excuses.
Oh wow. Two weeks ago I started going to the gym, and today is my second day in a row that I HAVEN'T gone. I tell myself that a couple of days won't hurt in the long run. But you are SO right. Either you do or you don't. There's no half-assing it when it comes to exercising. Your post is the kick in the pants I needed to remind myself that I can be the kind who does it every day. And I will be. Thank you.
Posted by: Jen | 05/24/2007 at 11:28 AM
Nice post, Jenny. You are awesome. It gives me hope that I, too, can decide to include more exercise (our nightly walks around a few blocks with kids ain't cutting it). So much hope that I won't even bore you with my excuses.
Posted by: Sheri | 05/24/2007 at 01:33 PM
Okay, so here's this thought - instead of just taking a leisurely walk, push yourself a little bit. If you've got kids along for the walk, challenge them to hopping for a stretch, or jog for three driveways. With the baby in a sling, stop and do a few lunges after each block. I've got a review copy of Lisa Druxman's "Lean Mommy" - she's that Stroller Strides woman. It has all kinds of fun exercises you can do with a stroller or front-pack.
Get some of those wrist weights and swing your arms around. I'm a big believer in making exercise fit into your everyday activities, not the other way around. It's way easier, and less excuses.
Posted by: BigSlice | 05/24/2007 at 03:27 PM
I've decided that I MUST exercise every. single. day and I don't always have time to SCHEDULE exercise (as much as I'd like to). So I'm trying to find ways to fit it in with a 2 month old and 3 year old. We're at the park almost every day - so I try to walk there and back (prolly a good 1.5 miles??). When I have the stroller, I stand up STRAIGHT and push from my abs, not slouched over the handle. And if my toddler is riding in the double stroller, I try to speed up as much as I can.
When I'm at the park, I've started either walking laps around OR if there aren't too many other people, I do "steps" on the climbers (as in the steps to get up the slide etc)... just like a step aerobic class. When I push my daughter on the swing, I hold the support and do leg lifts with each push or do plies. I don't care if I look like a dork. I'm already noticing that I'm firming up and I feel much better than just sitting on the bench and watching her play.
A couple of times a week, I'm fitting in some pilates - cos I love it. It soothes my soul as well as my body. Denise Austin has a good "hit the spot" version with 10 minute sessions. They're actually pretty good and are easy to squeeze in. I also try to get in some weights while I watch tv in the evening. If the weather's really crummy, I do the WAlk AWay the Pounds dvds, but I need some new ones as I'm bored with the ones I have. They're good though (but loud in my old hard wood floored house). :) My toddler likes to do them with me.
Posted by: Cookie | 05/25/2007 at 12:11 PM
Well, you know I'm a Daily Exerciser. I am amazed at how much better I feel . . . I haven't missed a day in 291 days! (I'm now walking four mornings a week and using my recumbent bike the other days . . . also added 10-pound weights for my arms and floor work for my abs.)(
Posted by: Shrinkingmom | 05/25/2007 at 02:10 PM
Wow, Thanks for the kick in the pants! I want to be the one who exercises everyday. My excuse? Single mom of four (10,8,4,3) full-time job, home between 7-8pm, and I watch someone else's kids in the morning before school.
It's worked so far, and the pounds just keep coming...I am now heavier than I was at my heaviest EVER - which was 8 months pregnant with my 4th child! But, I want to be a woman who exercises everyday. So, I will, even if only for 10 minutes, I will.
Posted by: Kima-Shai | 05/25/2007 at 08:04 PM
It is hard to fit in in sometimes, but I found a quick 15 min (if no one interrupts, 18 if someone needs a towel ) yoga routine. I do it every morning while my middle son, who gets up first, showers. Then I know if nothing else, at least I had an opportunity to stretch and move some muscles that day. And it really does feel good.
Posted by: maria | 05/26/2007 at 04:58 AM
I also decided that I was going to be an exercise everyday woman. Although unlike you...I haven't had the guts to view myself in front of a fell length mirror in my swimsuit! (The pic on my blog is bad enough!)
Posted by: lora | 05/29/2007 at 05:56 AM
Hi I just found your blog and I love this post. I've been struggling with making excercise a part of my routine and this has really given me something to think about. Thanks.
Posted by: Trish | 05/29/2007 at 01:51 PM
I know I'm a little late in commenting, but I just got to this post in my Google Reader.
I agree with your friend--you need to decide whether you're going to exercise daily, or you aren't. For the past 2 years or so, I have been a woman who exercises daily. The last two weeks have been so hectic that I haven't had time to get to the gym, so it has thrown me off my routine. Today I am going to the gym after work, and...drumroll please...I am actually looking forward to it! I NEVER thought I would be someone who would say that. But I love the way my body feels when I'm working out--so strong and capable, and I love how I feel afterwards.
So this daily exerciser is now getting back on track!
Posted by: coraspartan | 06/06/2007 at 12:27 PM