G.et Y.ourself M.oving
You don’t have to be a gym junkie to lead a healthy life, but you do need to Get Yourself Moving! How does that expression go? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results… I think that’s it, and I agree. Exercise is not only great for your body, but mind and soul as well. We can not expect to be the best versions of ourselves if we aren’t even willing to dedicate the time needed in taking care of the one person who should be high on your love list…yourself.
This day and age it can be hard to do anything for ourselves {especially as a new Mama, like I’ve experienced this past year}… forget about it. But, we just can’t. I mean, what kind of example are we setting for our kids if we aren’t even taking the time to love and invest in ourselves. It’s time to take our lives back from the TV, thankless jobs and fast food corporations. Be the example. Do not allow family or a busy work week to be an excuse, make them the reason you choose to lead a healthier life. This day and age it’s hard to find time to stay fit in between the 40 hr. work weeks, kids and unexpected moments but it’s all about perspective. When you make fitness a priority it becomes less of a chore, do not simply squeeze it in, make time and commit. Not only will you be happier and healthier you will have more energy to enjoy everything else life has to offer.
I am and for the most part always have been very conscious of my health, weight and happiness. I took a hard hit after having my first child. I was very happy with life as a whole but seeing my body make the changes it did, really took a toll on me mentally. Don’t get me wrong, I am completely amazed and blown away by what the female body can accomplish {we are some BAD A**ES} But, I just wasn’t mentally prepared for how long it would take my body to ‘bounce back’. All my other friends, came out looking like a million bucks, smaller than before their children, and I, not so much. So I hit the ground running, literally. I worked my tail off and I am happy to say that at a little less than a year later I am a few pounds shy of my prior weight BUT I actually feel and look more fit. I refused to make excuses for myself and never gave up, no matter how much harder it was for myself than others. I feel I could write a whole blog on this… maybe I will but for now I just want to leave you with some tips.
It’s important to work out 4-5 days a week with active recovery on your “days off.” Walking is a great example of active recovery. I suggest for your “days on” at least a half hour of cardio and 45m-1 hour of weight lifting to finish. Weight lifting is the fastest way to getting the body you want, for men and women. Whether you want to tone down or bulk up the best results are acquired with a weight lifting regimen. Disclaimer: This is not my Post Partum workout regimen, I ramped it up quite a bit. This is however my everyday go to.
Wise words: exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy
-Elle Woods
Legally Blonde
Additional ways to incorporate healthy activities to your daily routine: (additional not in lieu of.)
-Work out with your kiddos. It’s sounds funny, but use them as weights. Not only will they enjoy the bonding time spent with you, you will have completed an EXTRA workout.
– sit on a workout ball while at work, on the computer or when you want to watching television. By doing this you will be working on your core all day long, helping you obtain that flat stomach we all so desire.
– during breaks do squats or jumping jacks. You may feel as though you are so pooped all you want to do it relax but by becoming more active on your “breaks” you get your heart and blood pumping, revving up your metabolism and actually giving your body and mind more energy to finish out the day strong.
– choose activities that allow for a social aspect. Such as, dance, flag football, yoga, kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, hiking, you get the drift. This way you not only get the benefits of working out, you are able to spend time with friends, making it more fun!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.