The focus of today’s Fitness Friday is finding more time in your schedule to exercise. In my case I have been forced into that scenario because the kids are not napping anymore. In the end I have gained more than I have lost from the new no-nap schedule.

I have an extra two hours in a day to get up and move now. We have spent nap time doing various things in order to keep the kids from falling asleep, especially after 3:00. On Monday we had “quiet time” and then went to Open Swim. We cleaned the entire house on Tuesday. On Wednesday we went shopping for a few gifts and spent over an hour walking around the store. Yesterday we moved furniture around, and today we cleaned up so I could vacuum up all of the mystery stuff we found from moving the furniture.

I’ve also had to incorporate more “Mommy directed” activity in the afternoon to help the kids stay awake until bedtime. We have gone for strolls around the neighborhood, and I even ventured out on a walk to the playground with them in the wagon (which is horrible to pull for a mile, but worth it for all of us). Another favorite activity is going to our neighbor’s house late in the day.

My next goal is to start doing yoga with the kids at least once a week. I know that we all will benefit from the stretching and muscle strengthening that comes with the practice of yoga. Maybe I will even improve my focus a bit!

Photo courtesy of Vimages

I remember when I was a child that my mother rearranged the furniture regularly. Did your mom do that? It was always a big project for us and pretty exciting when the work was done. I  liked the feeling I got after the job was finished.

Yes, folks, I have turned into my mother!

I rearrange the furniture in our home with each season and a few times in between. I try out new configurations in order to accommodate our family’s changing needs. The traffic pattern fluctuates during different seasons. As the children grow, I have to adapt the environment to meet their needs. Besides sometimes I am in this house for 36 hours straight! Why wouldn’t I move things around? I need to at least feel like I have gone someplace new!

It drives E nuts when I move the furniture! I guess his mom didn’t rearrange the house much when he was a kid. His big complaint is that I am tired and sore for a few days after pushing the couches, the piano, and such around. He doesn’t see the benefits at all.

I know that there are benefits from all that furniture shifting and switching. First, I know that the kids and I have a new perspective on life for a while when we finish. Throughout the process, we also find lost toys and clean up messes that we didn’t know existed. The house becomes more user-friendly, too. I like the sense of accomplishment that I get, and I think it is good exercise!

If by simply organizing my working and living space we end up staying in our current home longer and avoid an expensive renovation, I think that E should be thankful and encourage me to do anything I want with the decor!

Photo courtesy of youngthousands

Today’s Fitness Friday is all about taking care of yourself  when you are sick. I have been pretty sick lately, but this week I somehow managed to get in some exercise. Maybe you’ll feel inspired, too.

~The kids and I have been taking neighborhood strolls. These excursions are nothing like the power walks I used to take when the kids were little and buckled into the stroller, but my energy level is pretty low with this awful cold. At least we are getting out and about.

~We had a spur of the moment soccer game in the backyard. The kids had a ball watching mommy run around trying to keep up with them! I think they had the advantage since they aren’t sick anymore.

~Of course, A2 and I had a swim lesson together. This week A2 swam to the deep end of the pool with out the barbell that we usually depend on to keep us afloat. That meant that Mommy had to work harder to keep up! We ended up swimming the length of the pool twice.

~This week we also were able to go on a hike at a local wildlife area. It was a lot of fun to explore nature and to get some exercise together as a family. It certainly wore the kids out!

I am hoping that I will be well enough to get back to the gym this week.

Photo courtesy of broma

Welcome to Fitness Friday! I’ve set goals for making healthy choices for myself, and I am committed to sharing my efforts with you every week. Hopefully you can keep me accountable, and I can encourage you along the way!

This week my kiddos were so sick, so getting to the gym was not a priority. What does a mom do when the gym is out of the question? Clean!

Regular housework can help you stay healthy since it reduces germs, burns calories, and relieves stress. Disinfecting the house will keep you healthy when the kids are sick. Go green and use vinegar to clean the house. You can can learn about the effectiveness of vinegar was a disinfectant at Care2. While cleaning the house isn’t going to replace a real workout at the gym, doing something physically active is definitely better than doing nothing at all. Just remember that you need to get your heart rate elevated while you are cleaning, so make sure you are working hard. You can find out more about burning calories while cleaning your home at Medicine.net and Everyday Health. Being organized also keeps you from being frenzied looking for things. You can read more about relieving stress by organizing your home at Ezine Articles.

Do you have any ideas for keeping yourself on track with your wellness when the kids get sick?

I have my check-up tomorrow afternoon. This poses a few problems for me.

1. I desperately DO NOT want to step on that scale. I know that I need to lose weight. I know that I need to exercise. I just can’t seem to do everything that I need to do in any given day. The last thing I want is a reminder about those things.
2. I HATE going to the doctor. It is just embarrassing to sit on an examining table in a Johnny while answering personal questions from a person who I almost NEVER see. I don’t even share those things with my closest friends.
3. I am scrambling for child care as per usual. We really have to do something about our lack of back-up babysitting. Again, I just don’t have the time to do it.
4. My day will be rushed and crazy because I have to somehow get the kids off to two different locations and one of those places is yet to be determined. Then there is traffic and parking. It is a hassle for me.
5. Did I mention how much I dislike going to the doctor?

I know I need to go for a check-up, though. I haven’t had a physical for a few years now even though I have seen a whole host of other doctors for various reasons pretty consistently now for two years. It is necessary.

I am praying that I am basically healthy aside from being out of shape. I always panic before a doctor appointment because I am afraid of hearing that there is something terribly wrong with me.

Photo courtesy of Brittany G

Photo by Perfecto Insecto

I just celebrated my birthday, and I always end up reflecting on my life when I blow out those candles. I love my birthday, so it isn’t a sad kind of reflection. I think it is good to take stock of your life every year, though. This year I have noticed that I am not taking care of myself the way that I should. With two small children day-to-day life is incredibly busy, and often I feel like I’m spinning out of control. It feels impossible to do anything extra for myself. I am committing to doing something small for myself every day, though.

Here are a few things that I plan to do to take better care of me. Maybe this list will help you try to do something for yourself every day, too.

~I am going to actually do my hair as often as I can! I have been experimenting with different styles that are quick, easy, and even trendy. It makes me feel good, and people notice that I take the time to style my hair.

~I am going to get to bed at a reasonable time as often as possible. My children wake up before the sun is up no matter what time of night I put them to bed. I need to get to bed earlier so that I am able to function in the morning.. Maybe I’ll look a little younger, too…

~I will drink more water. Being hydrated is great for your joints, your skin, and your body in general.

~I will make an effort to have a beauty night for myself. Back in college my buddies and I would do masks, facials, and nails together. I always felt better after those nights. I hope to recapture that feeling for myself.

~I am going to dress myself better. The “mommy” uniform needs to be tossed out the window. I plan to dress the best that I can now. E has helped me out with this goal by giving me a beautiful winter coat with a scarf and hat set.

~I will have a quiet time every day even if it is a short one. I am going to set an example by reading some scripture when the kids are with me.

Living as a mom means being intentional about taking care of me.

Now that I am a mom I cherish my “me time”, the time that I have on my own, since I rarely have it. It is easy to get wrapped up in the list of things that need to get done every day and skip out on taking care of me. I have learned that I have to take that time in order to be a better wife, mother, and me. Here are a few tips for how to ensure that you have the time to take care of yourself.

1. Schedule your day/night off well in advance. If it is on the calendar, you are more likely to make it happen.
2. Simplify your plans for your “me time”. If the arrangements are too complicated, you are less likely to continue to find the time for yourself.
3. Choose an activity that is low cost or free. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. Go to the library. Go for a walk, bike ride, or a hike. Go to a coffee shop to sip coffee and read a book. Meet up with friends to get a dessert.
4. Talk to your husband about who will take care of the children – Daddy, Grandma, a babysitter. Make sure the plans are solid and have a back up plan in case someone gets sick. If you are concerned about the child care arrangements, you won’t be able to enjoy your day or you won’t even be able to get away.
5. Relax and enjoy the time you have. Forget about what is happening at home or with the children, and trust that your husband will call you if there is an emergency. Worry defeats the purpose of “me time”.

I hope you consider finding some “me time” this month and find that you are rejuvinated!