Exercise… do you do it?
So… my hubby and I finally made the decision we've been considering for the past month or two. We bit the bullet and joined a gym!
Actually, I've been a member of several different gyms in the past, but we haven't done this since our first year of marriage, before the sweet kiddos started arriving. He spent a bit of time working out last year, with his rehab specialist (after his cancer treatments) and he just loved it. He felt so good and energetic, but then once he was back to work full time he found it so tough to keep up with his workout schedule that it just slowly stopped happening.
In my case, I was fairly active in university, using the campus gym, stair machines, rock climbing, etc. in addition to swing dancing, and lots of fun, outdoor activities with the youth group I was a leader of and just my very active group of friends. Camping, hiking, biking… so much fun! After I had Abbie, I continued to do a lot of walking with her in the stroller, especially just to get out of the house (and we lived in an area with lots of stuff within walking distance).
It started to really change after Caden's birth, though. With two kids, and no where in particular to go in our new neighborhood (we're more in the suburbs now), I found staying home a much simpler option. Sure, I went for the odd walk and I had my gardening in the spring and summer, but I just couldn't seem to motivate myself beyond that.
I know that I know that I know I need to be exercising. For my health in general. To detoxify my body through sweating. For my PCOS and the blood sugar/insulin issues that I believe are worsening in the last few months. For so many reasons.
So, we did it. We signed up at Gold's Gym, a new gym opening next month, where the hours and price and amenities were right. I did a lot of looking around this last week, checking out different gyms, even wondering whether I could be self-motivated enough to buy a machine to use in the house. In the end, I'm fairly happy with our decision, and will definitely let you know how it goes!
How about you? What does exercise look like for you? How do you fit it into your schedule, especially those of you with little ones or only one family vehicle?
I have a membership at the local YMCA, it was a little more expensive than we wanted to pay, but I definitely get my money’s worth each month! The big pro for me is that it has child care 6 days a week for ages 6 weeks thru 6 years. You get up to 2 hours child care each of those days and it’s included in your membership fee – no extra cost. There’s also an enclosed play structure for children that are too old for the child care.
I absolutely love it because it doesn’t take away from our family time in the few precious hours my husband has each evening. It also really helps for the children to have others to be around – especially when my husband is away (he’s in the Air Force).
Another big plus for me is that I really do feel it helps me be a better parent. My body is healthy and it also gives me an hour or so of quiet time several days a week, which helps keep my mind healthy.
In the summer, I go to the gym when it is soooo hot outside (south GA). I do the pilates classes, as well as spin and step classes. When the weather is nice though, I much, MUCH prefer to be outside. I run 4 mornings a week, when the hubby and children are still sleeping. I am in the middle of my second week of training for a marathon. If I don’t have a goal and a reason to push myself, I will never get out of bed in the morning.
I use walkjogrun.net to map out 2 or 3 mile walks and try and do one at least 5 times a week.
I voted that I work out in a gym, except that at the moment I am not (I am pregs and don’t want to puke all over the machines!) I have a membership with Curves which really works for me. It’s only women, it’s only half hour. I have never felt better than when I faithfully work out 3-4 times per week. My energy is way up there and so is my patience with my family. It is so worth it for me. This summer I hiked with my hubby up Elk Mt. here in Chilliwack and it went so well. I would not have been able to do it if I wasn’t in good shape from working out. Fitting it into my schedule was at times tricky, but it is really a matter of priority. At times I would go mornings at 6:00 before my husband left for work, at other times in the evenings, just before they closed at 8.
I’ve been doing mild to moderate exercise again for the past 6 weeks. I had really started going at it this summer, since I was feeling well for the first time in 2 years, but my doctor told me to slow way down for a while. It’s going well. I bought a pair of rollerblades about 3 weeks ago, and it’s all I can do not to skate too fast because I love it so much (I figure skated when I was younger). I am definitely an activity person–skating and dancing vs. walking or running. I do love strength training, but my doctor still says “no.” I just called a local martial arts studio this evening to look into taking kung fu. I’m going to try to find a ballet studio that takes adults too. I’m so excited! I love being active, and it’s such a blessing that I finally feel well enough to do it again.
My DH is a deployed ARMY reservist. He left in July for Iraq and around September my stress level was through the roof… I was not being the patient mommy I wanted to be for my four girls (age 3 and under). Then starting in October, the Department of Defense started paying for YMCA memberships for families of deployed soldiers. Like a previous poster mentioned, childcare is included with the memberships, and so is a personal trainer and many more things than I’ll list out here. I have been so grateful to be back in the gym this past month!!! It was literally a sanity saver.
I used to work at a University and went to the gym everyday on my lunch and also did some aerobics classes. Then I became a stay at home mom and got my exercise through jogging, walking, and videos. Now cold weather has hit again and I haven’t been doing much at all and know I need to. Especially with being pregnant! Now that gas prices are so low, I am thinking about joining our small local gym. I’d really like to get to ‘really’ work out a few times a week! But finances play such a big part in that!
How has your PCOS been worsening the last few months? And why do you think it has been happening?
I too have been a member of many gyms, but I prefer working out at home, in private. Since my little guy was born I haven’t had the time (or babysitter) to watch him while I went to the gym and it was more important to me to spend time with my husband when he was home than going to the gym (plus when would he go to the gym?)
So . . . we have instead invested in a set of weights and a weight bench (which my husband loves) and splurged and bought ourselves an elliptical machine last year. With the occasional exercise DVD from Netflix (I’m currently loving Pre-Natal Yoga) and the addition of a yoga mat and ball, we’re all set!
We also walk about 2-3 miles roundtrip to a local park several times a week.
Best,
Sarah
I was in competitive sports as a teen, but once I finished high school, it got harder to do exercise and I couldn’t balance competitive sports and school at that point anymore. Then I got married, and things sort of went even more downhill from there, especially because we lived in an even colder climate then, and winters were extremely cold.
Once I had my daughter, I took regular walks (fast-paced ones!) with her in the ergo or stroller, with friends or by myself or as a family. Then around 2, she wanted to walk more. Its good for her, and so I let her, but that also takes a lot of time. I am in the process of figuring out how to get decent exercise walks plus let her get a walk in too without it taking too much time. However, the winters get so cold here that it also makes it hard. Yes, I know I can bundle her and me up, but -30 C is still cold!
This summer I got an exercise bike at a yard sale and have been using that. I find my best time is in the morning. I find this way better for me than using a gym, because I don’t have to go anywhere, DH sometimes needs the car and I wouldn’t be able to go, let alone the gas cost to get to the gym or the hefty membership fees (nothing in my area is a good price). I hope to save up for a treadmill or get one second hand, as I would love that. It makes me feel so much better to exercise. I can’t believe how much money they are though. So I can’t forsee using anything other than the exercise bike for the next few years unless I come across a great second hand deal.
We still try to do family walks but they are more for the fresh air and time together than exercise. We also do hiking when we can, and biking when I am not pregnant or have a baby. We used to bike all the time. Its hard re-adjusting all the time to the needs of family.
I also have PCOS and I know exactly what you are going through. My condition has prevented me from conceiving Baby #2 and I’ve been struggling for months to get diet and exercise under control so that I (hopefully) soon get pregnant.
I try to work out 5 days a week, cardio every session and weights every other session. It does take a lot of commitment, but I think it will pay off in the long run. 🙂
Great post. I’m so glad I got to read it.
Do I exercise….no. I want to. I want to be in shape. I love to run, once I’m finally in shape, but I have really struggled with getting out there consistently. I was involved in sports (field hockey, track and cross country), but now I just don’t find enjoyment doing it by myself and I haven’t been able to find an exercise partner who is into the same things as me.
We loved Gold Gyms, but unfortunately there isn’t one close to us anymore. Now we just run/walk/bike and do videos at home. The YMCA just isn’t the same.