The Time is Now

     What is it that prevents you from doing some sort of exercise on a regular basis?  Is it lack of time?  Sorry, that can never be your excuse because if you're reading this right now, it means you could be using this FB time to do a small workout.  Could your excuse be you don't have the money to join a fitness club or to buy any equipment or dumbbell weights?  Sorry, that can't be an excuse either.  Using your own body weight at home to do push ups, squats, lunges, calf raises, sit ups or crunches is all you need to get yourself started for strength training.  For cardio, you don't need fancy equipment like treadmills, stairmasters or ellipticals.  If you have two working legs and two working feet and a pair of tennis shoes then a short run or walk is all it takes to get things started.  Find a track where bleachers are present and use them as your stairmaster.  Heck, you most likely have stairs at home.  Set a timer and go up and down them a few times.  Prolong the time each time you do this.  You say you would love to take a Zumba class or other type of cardio class but can't because you have small children which prevents you from going out? 

Matt and me playing Just Dance 3 on the Wii

Many gaming systems have Zumba, Dancing, and other exercise type games that can be swapped out for those video games that keep you seated on your butt.  This way you will be killing two birds with one stone: spending quality, fun time with your children and exercising at the same time.  What an example for your kids.  And trust me, you will be sweating and burning calories!

 You say, "But it's hard to do a pushup."  Or, "I really do not like to run!"  Or even,"I have back and neck issues and sit ups wreak havoc in those areas of my body!"  Again, those aren't good excuses to not start some sort of work out regimen. Baby steps and modifying are the key.  Start with wall pushups and you will gradually go down to the floor and do a few pushups while on your knees.  After my breast cancer surgeries, I couldn't do any type of exercises  that would affect my chest muscles so when I finally was able to start incorporating strength training to my upper body again, I had to start all over again by doing wall pushups.  I still hate pushups and I can't do many the proper way but it will come just like it WILL come for you!  As for running?  Not everyone likes to run, so then WALK!  It's great exercise and gentle on your joints.  There are many 5K walks you can participate in for a small fee.  But if you're one who wants to try your hand at running but don't know where to begin, there's this thing called GOOGLE, you may have heard of it, where you can search for a plan to help you train for a specific goal.  Ab work doesn't have to be all sit ups.  Standing ab crunches work pretty darn good as well as bending side to side at the waist for a few reps.

Race for the Cure w/Matt and my mom

You say, "But there's no way I will look like a supermodel", (or in a man's case, a sexy underwear model.)  That shouldn't be your goal.  Your goal should be you want to be HEALTHY.  Your thinking should be you want to start treating this body God gave you with the care it deserves.  Everything else eventually falls, or rather, LIFTS into place.   Obviously eating habits must begin to change as well, but it CAN be done.  Expectations should be high but reasonable.  Doing a few squats or taking one 20 minute walk and expecting to see results right away is not reasonable. It is a lifestyle change

one must decide to make and then stick with. Starting out is always the hardest but determination will get you through.  Make the choice to invest in yourself.  The time is now.