Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Fountain of Youth


Today it is 93 degrees and humid, but I got out early this morning and ran anyway. I am up to 2.8 miles which took me 25 minutes. Two years ago I had never ran for more than 30 seconds. Two years ago I was 30 lbs heavier. Two years ago I was tired all the time and dreaded having my picture taken. Two years ago I was hospitalized for 3 days for seizures I had over a 2 week period. I believe those seizures were caused by...

#1 Stress
#2 Overweight
#3 Bad eating habits

The doctors wanted to put me on anti seizure medication but I told him "no". You see while I was in the hospital, I had a chance to reflect and relax and I realized that I needed to make some changes. I told the doctor I was going to deal with this on my own. He told me I couldn't do it... I told him I could.

The stress I had to endure became MUCH worse for about another year and a half. I was in a very destructive relationship that changed in such a way that I no longer have to deal with it that much anymore. I was able to deal with the stress during this time because right after I got out of the hospital I started running and eating much healthier. You see, exercise does some amazing things for you. God designed our bodies to MOVE! He designed our bodies to need fresh air and sunshine. Amazing amounts of stress can be handled when we raise our heart rates through exercise. The sun provides the much needed vitamin D which boosts our moods. Eating less white flour/sugar and tons more lean meats, fiber, veggies and fruits changed the way my body felt and looked.

I recommend that every mom plans to exercise 5X a week. Start small if you need to. I did. I used the Couch Potato to 5k program. Don't give yourself excuses. I have bad knees. Before I started running I could barely walk up and down stairs. I recently some research that showed how running actually helps rebuild the cartilage around the knees. Some of my other friends (who are now running) didn't think they could squeeze it into their day because they had little children. There are so many options here.

  • Find a family member or your husband to watch them at least 3x a week
  • Join the YMCA and use the Kid Zone
  • Run on a treadmill during nap or quiet time
  • Put them in a jogging stroller and push them around
If you have an ipod, you can download the C25K podcast at NHS C25K . There are other ones you can use, but this one is my favorite. 

When my two oldest were really little, I had a bicycle cart (Burley) that pulled them around town in. We would go to the library, grocery store or the park several times a week. I really enjoyed that and I still have my bicycle cart today even though my kids are all too big to ride in it now. I purchased a top of the line one and I am glad I did. It has lasted for 15 years and shows no signs of wearing down. Mine holds two children, has a back seat for additional cargo and looks like this one:


Looking at the Burley site, I saw something I am going to have to get in the near future. It is a Burley Travoy. Basically it hauls around your stuff. With gas prices what they are, and exercise needs what they are... I would love to get my hands on one of these. Check out this video...


Now I am healthy. I like to say that exercise is like the fountain of youth. I know I look and feel better than I did when I was 37. I don't have to grow old and frail. As a homeschool mom of 5 kids, the youngest just starting 1st grade, I need to be in tip top shape to meet the demands on me daily. I hope you are encouraged to get started moving. My current goal is to add in weight training. Share with me what you are doing to meet your exercise needs. 

1 comment:

  1. My goal is to work out for 45-60min each morning. I am walking on the treadmill (working up to jogging), doing step aerobics, or strength training each day. I feel so much better. Won't ever go back to not exercising-not worth it. :) I couldn't agree with you more, that our families need us, and we've got to keep moving so that we're up for each day's challenges.
    Blessings to you and your family

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