Now that I am actually having to bare my skin in a bathing suit, I realize just how much time I spend sitting on my tush in an office chair.
I am not someone who enjoys exercise, but as I approach 40 next summer I realize that my metabolism will not magically speed itself the more Web surfing and coffee drinking I do. I also love to eat and trust me, I polished off a foot-long fried shrimp Po Boy with a side of fries on our recent beach vacation with no hesitation!
My husband and I are both working together to encourage each other to stay fit and make healthy eating choices so that we feel fit and healthy for our kids. With me working 30 hours a week and him working 60 plus hours a week running his own business (oh and we have two young girls to raise, too), it is very easy to let fitness become a low priority.
Now that it's pushing 90 degrees nearly every day, I am finding that the best time to exercise is first thing in the morning. No checking e-mail, no getting coffee, no emptying the dishwasher…just making myself roll out of bed, slipping on shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes, and hitting the pavement. It's also a great time to say hello to your neighbors who are also starting their day with exercise.
Here are some tips to help busy working moms find time for fitness:
Schedule it. Just like you schedule your child's well-visits, dental appointments, and piano lessons, schedule time for you for exercise. Put a Post-It note on your computer to remind you when it's time to work out or drink more water.
Involve your kids. With small children especially, sometimes it seems nearly impossible for you to go to the bathroom by yourself, much less carve out time for fitness. Get creative and get fit with your kids. We walk with our girls at least once a week at our local green way (my husband pushes them in our bike trailer/stroller.)
Get up with the chickens. I am usually the first to rise at my house so lately I've started walking first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot. You could also pop in a fitness DVD or tune in to a workout show.
Forge a fitness friendship. Walk with a co-worker at lunch or head to the gym together. Find a friend who wants to meet on weekend mornings to walk at the local park. Encourage each other.
Count calories. Use an online calorie counter such as CalorieKing to keep track of what you are eating.
Just say no to office vending machines. Keep healthy snacks, such as granola bars or raisins, in your office. If you have access to a community refrigerator, even better! Bring your lunch and your own drinks, thereby resisting the temptation to hit the vending machines.
Make healthy choices at office functions. With working comes many social obligations. There are business brunches and lunches to attend, working breakfasts, office birthday celebrations, etc. Avoid the temptation to fill up on empty calories and make healthy food choices.
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Thanks for the great tips!! :0) That is definatly an area I struggle with, and what you said was like a "light bulb moment". Now my plan is to get up in the morning, put my walking/jogging stuff on and head out. Yes, I will make coffee first so that way it is ready when I come home. ;0) Thanks!! :0)
Great tips! Of course now comes the part where I apply them . . . *sigh*
Now I must do as I "blog." Have I walked YET this week?
Um. No!
Tomorrow is another day, though.
I'm back on the Weight Watchers train myself, but if you're looking for a great and free calorie counter, sparkpeople.com is awesome. You can put in your overall goals (like lose 20 lbs by December) and it'll calculate targeted food intake and fitness. It'll give suggested meals, workouts, etc.
I don't work there, I just think it's cool.