S/O non-exercisers

[wintermom]

I've been reading through the thread about reasons ladies choose not to exercise. I did my Master's thesis on young women's motivation to participate in sport drop-out rates. I find it sad that many women seem to have multiple barriers to exercising, and may not recognize the health benefits of living active lifestyles, for themselves and their children.

 

I don't want to make anyone feel guilty. I know it can be really rough trying to fit in one extra thing in an already hectic life. I've been through some seasons of life as a busy mom with babies, toddlers, not getting enough sleep, no child care, self-conscious about exercising in public, etc. myself, so I understand the challenges.

 

I think it might be helpful and interesting to hear from other homeschooling moms with young children on what and how they get active, and how it effects their lives.

 

For me, I got back into Taekwon-do when my dd was old enough to join a class. We could do an activity together, which benefitted both of us. I was exhausted with 4 young children, lack of sleep, and new to homeschooling. I found that getting out and participating in the class brought renewed energy. My dh totally noticed it, and was very generous in his time and support to make sure I got out and kept up training.

[Mrs Twain]

It is tough to exercise with small children. However, exercising is one of the priorities of my life for many reasons including maintaining my health, keeping my weight at a normal level, and feeling better/getting rid of anxiety or other negative feelings.

 

Running gives the best bang for your buck if your knees can handle it. If you run for 30 minutes, that is an excellent cardio workout. I can usually carve out 30 minutes here and there during the week or on the weekend while my husband watches the kids.

 

Lately I have also gotten back into weight lifting (hand weights mostly) to do various exercises to strengthen the upper body, but exercises such as lunges are good to help some of those muscles that otherwise don't get used.

 

I always try to do sit ups. I have heard women tell me that there is no other way to get rid of post-baby abominal fat except plastic surgery. However, I don't think any of those people have even tried doing sit ups on a regular basis. You can make a lot of headway just with sit ups if you try.

 

Another thing I did was to buy a rowing machine at Good Will for $33. You can get a good workout in only a short amount of time with that, even with the kids running around.

 

All in all, you can become in fairly good condition if you run several times per week, use hand weights for upper body exercises, and do sit ups. I feel so much better when I am exercising regularly. It makes me feel more healthy, helps me get rid of unwanted fat, relieves stress, and elevates my mood.

[Mrs Twain]

One more thing I thought of--

 

People who exercise (especially who lift weights) end up over time looking far younger than the non-exercisers. That could be reason enough to convince some people to exericse.

[wintermom]

Bumping - and adding

 

I agree with the bang for your buck about running, though other weight bearing activities are also excellent for building strong bones and improving cardiovascular endurance. Run/walk combination or just quick walking is wonderful for those with injuries and/or don't feel comfortable with heat and sweat. You don't need fancy clothes, you can bring the kids, it's cheap, you don't need to drive anywhere, you can bring a friend to chat with, and you can vary your route to add interest. You can also set goals, such as doing a Half Marathon Walk.

[Dory]

I don't exercise, but there is really no lack of activity and weight lifting in my week. I run chainsaw, I split wood, I carry children that really shouldn't need to be carried anymore :glare:. I mow lawns, I milk cows, I work with horses and run and play with dogs while I'm training them. So while I can't really say that I 'exercise' I kinda sorta do.

[edelweiss]

I don't exercise, but there is really no lack of activity and weight lifting in my week. I run chainsaw, I split wood, I carry children that really shouldn't need to be carried anymore :glare:. I mow lawns, I milk cows, I work with horses and run and play with dogs while I'm training them. So while I can't really say that I 'exercise' I kinda sorta do.

 

I would definitely call that exercise! If I did all of that, I wouldn't think twice about not "exercising" the way that we typically think of exercise.

[Momofeat]

Exercise has been a priority for me since I was in college. I exercise (almost) first thing in the morning, using workouts online. I have no desire to drive to an exercise location. :tongue_smilie: I mostly go to bodyrock.com, but I use the old workouts and not the newer ones. I have found that if I don't exercise before my morning shower, it doesn't happen.

 

When my dc were babies I did aerobics tapes at home.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I chose to start exercising 3 years ago. I am not young (I'm 48) and I'm not fit and I'm not healthy. I have chronic illness that makes exercise difficult. But at age 45, I realized that I was starting to be functionally disabled. I was relating more to the elderly that we were ministering to than to people my own age. I realized that I needed to do something.

 

First, I did get some medical help. I went across the country to a specialist in hard to treat chronic illnesses. He helped me get to a point where I could start to exercise.

 

I am now exercising 6 days a week, 1 hour a day. I have discovered that I love Zumba. It is fun and doesn't feel like exercise at all! I've also been introduced to cardio kickboxing. This surprises me because in my mind it is the anti-thesis of the fun of Zumba. But I like it! I am proud of myself because it is the hardest thing I've ever done and while I'm not any kind of kickboxing superstar or anything, I am doing it and have been able to rise to the challenge.

[BakersDozen]

As much as I dislike exercising I have forced myself to do so up until last year. I walked at least twice/day and also did 30-45 minutes of jogging/running/biking. I felt great, I looked great, and I had the time to do that kind of exercising. I do not have time now - not at all. I hate how I feel and how I look yet this is a season and soon enough I will be grumbling my way down the street or to the treadmill. Time is a huge issue when one has dc, especially young ones.

[Food4Thought]

I've enjoyed exercising at home, ever since my cousin in gymnastics showed me her routine when I was a teen. I have since done a lot of Yoga and Pilates videos, and now put together my favorite moves to target different muscle groups. This lets me modify to get the kids involved too.

 

I know when I first had the kids, I thought exercise would just go out the window, but I like finding fun ways to exercise with them. When they were babies and toddlers, I used to have them lay on my back while I did pushups, for instance. Now they are bigger, so it's more of an endurance race to see who can do more pullups or burpees or jumping jacks and we take every opportunity to chase each other around the house and yard.

 

I don't think exercise has to be strict or boring - and I think little exercises like pushups and crunches and squats and lunges can be done throughout the day with little fuss.

[MrsBasil]

I'm trying to get into it. I've never been a regular exerciser, but when I did a knock off Curves at home routine, lifted weights, and jogged 3 nights a week I looked and felt fantastic.

 

Right now, hubby works 4-5 days a week. He leaves the house at 3 in the morning and returns home around 6.

 

I have two very small children. I've been staying up later to get a workout in, but I end up with an "exercise high" and stay up even later. I'm toying with getting up earlier instead....

 

I try to take walks with the kids once a day if the weather allows. We have two staircases in the house and I am deliberately not efficient and make several trips up and down them each day.

 

We have a Kinect and I've tried to play on that while the kids are awake, but it doesn't work.

 

I have a teenage neighbor who will sit with the kids, so on Tuesday I am paying her $5 an hour so I can take a good walk in the evening and see how that goes.

 

I don't have any other great ideas, but I'm overweight(obese actually) and don't want to be. I want to show my kids another way to live and I want to have more energy to play with them. My mom is very thin, but sedentary and my MIL is 500+ pounds. I want my daughter to have an active female role model.

 

You know? DS is obsessed with our iPad, but I rarely let him play it. I wonder if I gave him time to play "educational" apps, for 30 minutes if I could get a workout in? DD loves to be in her bouncer and watch us.....

 

I'm open to ideas. I want so badly to be healthy and not pass on the emotional eating and lack of interest in physical activity that has just hindered me so much. I've just found it difficult to fit in with the kids and not a lot of help. :)

[Sara in AZ]

I've tried to stay active with the kids. I try to make sure we all get out and walk in the neighborhood, or go for a bike ride (I love my bike trailer.) But the kids can only go so far, and it's not always much of a workout for me. Plus here in Phoenix it's 100 degrees or more half the year. Recently, I've gotten back into step aerobics now that I can leave my two olders home for an hour and take the two little's to the gym with me. It's fun, I love it, I feel better when I do it. Therefore, I want to keep doing it.

[Lisa R.]

I used to use exercise tapes on and off when the kids were little. While I realize exercising is important, I really never cared for it. Because of this, I determined to find the way to burn the most calories in the least amount of time with an exercise I could stand. I decided to do Couch to 5K. It was over four years ago, and I've been jogging 3 days a week almost every week since. I'd never jogged before, so it was a huge personal accomplishment for me to jog for 3 miles without stopping.

 

I don't love jogging, but I do tolerate it, and it seems to agree with me. I don't have to drive anywhere, get any exercise equipment (other than good running shoes), and don't waste too much time. Now that my kids are a little older, I feel comfortable jogging around the neighborhood for 45-50 minutes while they are at home.

[wintermom]

Thank you so much for sharing your stories! It's really encouraging to hear how other moms are able to get moving and stay healthy. Being homeschoolers, we are so committed to the education of our children, and at times have very little energy or time to spare for ourselves. Exercise can seem like one more burden to carry. Unfortunately, the bigger burden may be a body that cannot function as we'd like in the future. I want to be there for my grandchildren, and I want my children to have a positive role model for leading a healthy, active life-style.

 

Last summer I met a homeschooling family with 4 children who didn't have a vehicle. They walked, biked and bussed to their destinations. It really made me think about the times I use my car when I don't really need to. With more planning, I can bike or walk for many things. So last summer we had a family goal to use the van as little as possible. We'll be doing this again this summer. It's great for me and the dc!

Edited June 18, 2012 by tmoan

[fairfarmhand]

I've done workout videos in the past when I had small kids. I felt stupid with the kids giggling at me, but I'd rather look stupid at a healthy weight than retain my dignity and be fat.

 

Now that my kids are older I tend to go running.

 

In the summer, my running time gets taken over by gardening, cutting grass with a push mower, chasing cows and lifting 50 lb sacks of feed. I guess that counts right?

[MrsBasil]

I've done workout videos in the past when I had small kids. I felt stupid with the kids giggling at me, but I'd rather look stupid at a healthy weight than retain my dignity and be fat.

 

Now that my kids are older I tend to go running.

 

In the summer, my running time gets taken over by gardening, cutting grass with a push mower, chasing cows and lifting 50 lb sacks of feed. I guess that counts right?

 

Absolutely totally counts!

[Mom-ninja.]

I posted this in one of the other threads but the book Hot (Sweaty) Mamas goes into excuses vs reasons as why we don't work. The authors explain that there are legit reasons for times when we can't work out, and there are plenty of excuses that we let get in the way.

 

You need to learn what a reason is and what an excuse is. Then banish the excuses from your day!

[chepyl]

I don't "exercise" regularly, but I teach dance 3-5 days a week for 2-5 hours a day. I also clean my house, now weekly (when not pregnant in the summer ;) ) and take my kids swimming in the summer. Every now and then I get on the eliptical, or we walk to 7-eleven (for icees!), we go to the park which requires a half mile walk to the playground.

 

When you ask about exercise, I think more of working out....so I gues, I get plenty of exercise, but I do not purposefully work out. That is boring!

[wintermom]

There was a time in my life I exercised a lot. I went to a gym 6 days a week.

 

At this point I have difficulty finding the time. I don't have anyone to watch my kids. I don't want to get up at 5 am or exercise late at night.

 

I also don't really like exercising on machines anymore. I'd rather find something more enjoyable and less boring.

 

I probably will get back into it at some point.

 

But basically that's my story.

 

I think a lot of people have the idea that the only way to exercise is to go to a specific place, wear certain clothes, and spend a lot of time and money. It is not so! You can walk, jog, bike with your children. Gardening, cleaning the leaves from the pool, golf with plastic balls in the backyard, jump rope with and w/o the kids. Just move the body.

[Ellie]

It is possible to live "healthy lifestyles" without doing anything officially called "exercise." :)

[Soror]

It is possible to live "healthy lifestyles" without doing anything officially called "exercise." :)

 

:iagree: I find of kind of odd in my brain that we work harder and harder to buy/build enough machines and a lifestyle to get away from doing any physical work then have to find things to do to "exercise" to be healthy. I also don't think the typical physique that is considered healthy these days by exercise standards is all that healthy or normal, for woman especially the idea promoted is far too little bodyfat, and certainly not what I've observed in most healthy traditional cultures(of course everyone has a different body type) but the current trend promoted is very narrow and imo not ideal. Of course everyone can do as they like but there is more than one way to be healthy and personally I disagree with that which is promoted as "ideal," in physique and exercise.

 

 

re: situps- For women who have split abdominal muscles situps and many other core work such as that makes the separation worse.

[wintermom]

There is a whole continuum of "exercise" level, and certainly some take exercising to the extreme. That doesn't mean we toss out the word "exercise" and make it seem a dirty word.

 

The reality is in western culture is that we are limiting our health, quality of life, longevity of life, and often that of our children, because we live too sedentary. And if you live in a country with social medicine like me, the cost burden of caring for millions of unhealthy aging people is going to be a huge problem for our children.

 

3 X 10 minutes of activity which increases your heart rate, includes some weight-bearing activity (carrying the weight of your own body), and includes some strength building, each day as an optimal goal, several times a week is going to vastly improve general health for anyone of any age. There are going to be seasons in life where the optimal is just not possible, though striving toward the goal is always an option.

Edited June 18, 2012 by tmoan

[Soror]

3 X 10 minutes of activity which increases your heart rate, includes some weight-bearing activity (carrying the weight of your own body), and includes some strength building, each day as an optimal goal, several times a week is going to vastly improve general health for anyone of any age. There are going to be seasons in life where the optimal is just not possible, though striving toward the goal is always an option.

 

People the world over for centuries have done this with never doing what is considered exercise in our culture, though, that is my point.

 

I agree our culture is far too sedentary. I think however, although well-meaning, not everyone that doesn't officially exercises needs to be "saved" from their horrid lifestyle. I think we need to promote more activity in general and not just "exercise."

Edited June 18, 2012 by soror

[wintermom]

People the world over for centuries have done this with never doing what is considered exercise in our culture, though, that is my point.

 

I agree our culture is far too sedentary. I think however, although well-meaning, not everyone that doesn't officially exercises needs to be "saved" from their horrid lifestyle. I think we need to promote more activity in general and not just "exercise."

 

I agree 100%, though I would add the word "physical" in front of activity.

 

I just did a wonderful physical work-out called vaccuuming the house. My heart rate was elevated, I was bending and stretching, lifting and walking. That is exercise or physical activity, whatever you want to call it, it's all good.

 

Just like we sometimes need to re-define the activities we consider "school" - we need to re-define activities we consider "exercise."

[Soror]

I think our entire lifestyles and culture need to be re-orientated. I think we are on track the culture of Wall-E, it is sad. There are so many chances in day to day life for us to be more active that are missed and unfortunately it seems a lot of people get in this frame of mind of doing their "exercise" for their designated period but then remain sedentary for the other 23 or so hrs a day. We're just so far removed from healthy though, and I don't see that going in a positive direction.

[wintermom]

I think our entire lifestyles and culture need to be re-orientated. I think we are on track the culture of Wall-E, it is sad. There are so many chances in day to day life for us to be more active that are missed and unfortunately it seems a lot of people get in this frame of mind of doing their "exercise" for their designated period but then remain sedentary for the other 23 or so hrs a day. We're just so far removed from healthy though, and I don't see that going in a positive direction.

 

I hear ya! I've been on this computer far too much today already.

 

But you know what, I'll take the 30 minutes of "exercise" off my bottom over not doing it at all. Often the 30 minutes leads to more and more time off my bottom and doing more useful things.

[Mom-ninja.]

There are so many chances in day to day life for us to be more active that are missed and unfortunately it seems a lot of people get in this frame of mind of doing their "exercise" for their designated period but then remain sedentary for the other 23 or so hrs a day. We're just so far removed from healthy though, and I don't see that going in a positive direction.

 

There's actually a term for this. It's called "active couch potato" and it's precisely what you described.

 

The bottom line is that people need to move their bodies all day. It's in our genes to move. Unfortunately, that's not easy to do for people with desk jobs. My dh sits a large portion of his day due to commute and his work. The he goes to school and sits some more. Even standing is better than sitting.

[sbgrace]

My husband is busier than me in that he has little free time. He's been doing interval training for a couple of years now. I'm just mentioning because it's a way to get fit and maintain fitness even with very limited time.

[wintermom]

I like interval training.

 

My issue is childcare. I only have my husband. So either I'd need to do this very early in the morning or fairly late at night. I hate exercising at those times.

 

I have the same issues, except my dh often goes to work at 5:30am. I'm not a morning person, so the exercise I do without the dc is always the evening. Weekends are usually more flexible.

 

When the season of very young children changes to older children who can be left alone, then you'll have much more flexibility. Hang in there!

[wintermom]

Yeah that isn't going to happen for quite some time.

 

Given the choice I'd prefer nights, but then I'm wired out and can't sleep.

 

Yes, I'm definitely a better evening person. I often take a relaxing bath after evening exercise, which both eases the muscles and makes me sleepy. The best part is the dc are alseep and I get some relaxing alone time!

 

Summer is a good time. I get out with the kids and play with them more. We go swimming, etc. So the exercise is built in. I don't have to schedule it and think about when I'm going to do it.

 

Summer is great that way! Though as my dc get older, I've been able to fit in family skating and skiing times in the winter. It sure makes the winter more fun, and we all get the bonus of physical activity in the long, dark winter.

[Mom-ninja.]

I exercise with my kids bouncing around me and playing. Sometimes they join me. Sometimes they watch TV. Sometimes they read. It's the job of my 11 and 8 yr olds to entertain the 3 yr old. They know that I get in my workout and they have to wait.

[Laura Corin]

When mine were small I used to walk briskly pushing the pushchair. Hills were a really good workout. When they were bigger and could ride tricycles/bikes, I would take them to the park and walk briskly while they rode their bikes alongside. Later I'd make them run circles around me while I walked. There were periods when it just didn't work, but then we'd slide into a time when their development made it possible.

 

Laura

[2_girls_mommy]

For yrs I loved my double stroller. I took the girls on 2 walks a day. One to the park in the morning so they could play, and one long, fast one in the evenings. It took the weight off after both of my pregnancies. I was so proud that I lost 40lbs in less than 6 mos after dd9. I shouldn't have put that much on and didn't with the next child! I did watch what I ate, but mainly did fast walking with the kiddos and a few leg lifts and sit ups when I watched T.V. back then.

 

When they were preschoolers we did a lot of "Elmocize" video and other children's exercise videos from the library.

 

Then I slacked off for a few years after they outgrew the double stroller. I have recently started back to exercising with a video in the mornings before the kids get up. They usually wander up while I am doing it and go about getting their cereal. Sometimes they join in. But usually they get their exercise at swim lessons, dance class, and playing outside. But I know I am setting a good example for them. I saw my mom and step mom go through different exercise routines at different times, and it has stuck with me..

[wintermom]

When mine were small I used to walk briskly pushing the pushchair. Hills were a really good workout. When they were bigger and could ride tricycles/bikes, I would take them to the park and walk briskly while they rode their bikes alongside. Later I'd make them run circles around me while I walked. There were periods when it just didn't work, but then we'd slide into a time when their development made it possible.

 

Laura

 

This is excellent, and shows how mom's exercise can evolve and change as the children grow. I did wonder what a pushchair was, though, until I saw you are from Scotland. The idea of pushing a chair sounded like a very strenuous work-out!! :001_smile: and up a hill.... wow!

[BinahYeteirah]

I think I used to get a lot more exercise when lived in a more pedestrian-friendly community. I used to walk every day. It was normal for me to walk several miles each day, up and down hills, pushing the double stroller, often with the basket full of heavy groceries.

 

The place I live now is not at all similar. There aren't even any sidewalks. I've tried walking my kids to the park and I actually felt I was putting us in a hazardous situation. On some roads, I'd have to drive my stoller into the ditch on the side of the road in order to avoid being hit by motorists. I might try biking on some of the quieter streets, but I can't imagine letting my kids ride in the streets until they're much older. I vaguely rememember something about my city getting a poor bicycle rating recently.

 

So all that's to say that I really feel I have no choice but to drive virtually everywhere.

Edited June 20, 2012 by BinahYeteirah

[Ellie]

People the world over for centuries have done this with never doing what is considered exercise in our culture, though, that is my point.

 

I agree our culture is far too sedentary. I think however, although well-meaning, not everyone that doesn't officially exercises needs to be "saved" from their horrid lifestyle. I think we need to promote more activity in general and not just "exercise."

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

THANK YOU!!! I for one will never spend 30 minutes doing "exercise." Just not gonna happen.

[SunnyDays]

People the world over for centuries have done this with never doing what is considered exercise in our culture, though, that is my point.

 

I agree our culture is far too sedentary. I think however, although well-meaning, not everyone that doesn't officially exercises needs to be "saved" from their horrid lifestyle. I think we need to promote more activity in general and not just "exercise."

 

I think this is an excellent point. If you think about it, our ancestors, as recently as a couple generations ago, didn't need the gym. They didn't need hand weights or aerobic videos. They were carrying baskets of laundry outside, bending and stretching to hang them. They were working on their homes and in their fields and gardens and with their animals, heavy, physical work all day long. They also didn't have TV or internet.

 

I'm not saying I want to return to pioneer days. I happen to like the internet, not to mention indoor plumbing. :tongue_smilie: But I think the more active you can be simply keeping house, working on your property, keeping a garden, whatever... so much the better for your health.

 

I want to instill into my son that activity is part of a lifestyle, that you work hard and you play hard. You garden, you work, you go play a round of golf or tennis, you take a hike in the woods. We're not there, but that's our long term goal. :)

[LG Gone Wild]

You know, I was just thinking about how I hated exercise when I was younger. I was the chubby daughter and it was a big deal in my household.

 

I am not exactly sure when it happened but I just started exercising to clear my mind. My exercise habit really started to pick up though AFTER I had small children. I did videos at home with an infant and toddler, then added TKD with my eldest (still a very young child), add running, switched from TKD to kickboxing, added BJJ, got hooked onto Beachbody, got hooked onto fighting ... I had another baby while doing these things.

 

I only stopped exercising when I was pregnant and nursing (big booKs, no support). Picked it back up again when I weaned.

 

Other than my husband (who works two jobs), I am on my own to find solutions to fitness.

[regentrude]

Even when the kids were infants, we went hiking and rock climbing every weekend, taking the kids along. These are great activities to do as a family. Infant in the sling, toddler in the backpack carrier, and a whole day of outdoor play at the foot of the rocks.

As soon as they could walk, they'd hike on their own as far as they could/wanted.

 

Other than that, we try to incorporate physical activity into daily life.

[LucyStoner]

I don't exercise, but there is really no lack of activity and weight lifting in my week. I run chainsaw, I split wood, I carry children that really shouldn't need to be carried anymore :glare:. I mow lawns, I milk cows, I work with horses and run and play with dogs while I'm training them. So while I can't really say that I 'exercise' I kinda sorta do.

 

That is all exercise.

 

What the average urban or suburban middle class folk do in exercise, most people used to call life.

 

It's like that cliche line from Back to the Future 3 when he is being asked to say what people in the future do for fun and he says run and the cowboy says "run for fun? who in the hell would run for fun?" I can't believe I just quoted B2TF3. :lol: But people have always run, it was just called transportation or work.

Edited June 20, 2012 by kijipt

[Soror]

fwiw at our house we enjoy FFAs- technically FPAs but FFA has a better ring to it- Family Fitness/Physical Activity

 

We love to walk and hike as a family. It would be my preference to do an hr or two walk/hike every day but that doesn't always happen. We love biking (although not when pregnant or newly postpartum). We like to do activities together because the kids want and need to be active, so I hate the idea of let's just having an activity for them and then I have to have separate time just to workout for myself. Time is so precious and it is so nice to do those things as a family. I want to instill in them as well that exercise is not something you just do but you should be as active as you can. We don't have fancy equipment. Our bikes and bike trailer we found used and cheap they are nothing special at all. I'd love real hiking boots but I wear what I have(I hope some day hopefully when the kids get old enough to go on more adventurous hikes), which is old tennis shoes or flip-flops for shorter walks. We just walk out the door and down the road a lot of the time or we have a trail a mile up the road, a usually empty and huge parking lot by the river a couple of miles away and a walking/bike track about 10 miles away.

 

We won't win any races. I don't watch my heartbeat, sometimes we are slow, sometimes very slow (depending on the kid's and me- I'm not moving quite as fast these days) but we just do it anyway (sometimes not as often as I'd like but every day is a new day!). Ds hiked 5 miles easily this past spring at 7.5 and dd who just turned 5 can do about 2-3 miles. DD who is 2.5 nearly always rides in the stroller(before that she was in the ERGO). I think playing together as a family is an important thing though. I think being in and enjoying nature is important as well.

 

However, for the most part I strive to be active in our day. As a general goal I like to stay on my feet doing something unless it is mealtime, with small babies that is hard though obviously as nursing and standing isn't my biggest skill. I don't try to shy away from work outside either, although I *try* not to hurt myself. Shoveling, digging and raking is pretty hard work by most standards.

 

re: running for fun. We don't do a lot of running here. I don't think people have always run in the way in which it is done now for distance, except maybe a few subsets of population (only 1 that I've heard of). I think we have for a matter of course here and there when we needed to get somewhere faster or there was some kind of danger but not as an every day thing done for miles at a time. I think though people were better conditioned in general and if they needed to run they could. I've also seen that played out in different fitness movements which only sporadically run but in general work endurance in other ways, one can increase your ability to run without doing it all the time. We do various sprints and such (although, ahem not right now for me), we might have short running races or sprints in biking. Sometimes when doing jobs I push myself extra hard to get done faster, although in general I usually move pretty quickly as it is.

 

However, plenty enjoy exercising at the gym or at home in many "official" ways. I did for a good many years. I found though I wanted to transition to something more integrated into my life for myself and also encourage a more active lifestyle in general for our whole family. I think there are many ways for our population to return to health but I also think it is wise not to ignore what has worked for centuries and continues to work for many. You have to meet people where they are at though and goodness knows with the large number of sedentary people there is plenty of room for lots of approaches.

 

fwiw as well I didn't mean to derail the thread. I just wanted to post an alternative view. We can be more active in our daily lives and goodness knows we need to be. Even if we don't ever have time to exercise on our own, having babysitting to go and exercise is some recent phenomenon. Living life can and should be exercise. I know for many it can be a stress relief to have that time away but it isn't required to be active or exercise.

Edited June 20, 2012 by soror

[MissKNG]

My daily life is my exercise. By nature, I am always on the move during the day either playing with the girls, cleaning, picking up, etc. Even when the girls are at the playground, I do laps around the play structures. I pace while on the phone. I park far away from the store front. Etc, etc, etc. Even if I'm sitting down, I fidget.

 

My lifestyle is just very active and I don't formally take time to exercise. And I'm fit and trim and I am a "non-exerciser"!

 

Am I tired? Sure. I just got used to it!

Edited June 20, 2012 by MissKNG

[MissKNG]

People the world over for centuries have done this with never doing what is considered exercise in our culture, though, that is my point.

 

I agree our culture is far too sedentary. I think however, although well-meaning, not everyone that doesn't officially exercises needs to be "saved" from their horrid lifestyle. I think we need to promote more activity in general and not just "exercise."

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

Very much so!

[wintermom]

I really appreciate the comments about exercise or physical activity being incorporated into our everyday family lives. This is awesome! And Soror mentioned that every individual and family is at a different point on a continuum. Sometimes we need to think about the specific needs of each person in the family, though. A mom's needs are not the same as a child's. An adult needs time to stretch and strengthen a body which is completely different than a child. And what motivates an adult to get up and move is also very different than a child. An older adults needs and goals are different than a younger parent. Exercises/physical activity can be a tool to benefit the lifestyle of anyone.

 

I was at my running training last night, and the physical therapist guest speaker commented about how she loves working with older adults. An 85 year old lady and client of hers was so thrilled with the strength and flexibility exercises she had been doing and the effect on her life. She said, "I don't want to have to use this walker for the rest of my life!" For me, I'd be thrilled to make it to 85 years old. For her, exercise is a pathway to freedom in her daily life.

[Soror]

Sometimes we need to think about the specific needs of each person in the family, though.

 

She said, "I don't want to have to use this walker for the rest of my life!" For me, I'd be thrilled to make it to 85 years old. For her, exercise is a pathway to freedom in her daily life.

 

We've been able to meet the needs of everyone physically though even without separate exercise, in terms of needs, not necessarily wants. When walking we've used a stroller and ERGO. The 5 yo started out in the stroller and the now 2.5 in the Ergo. The 5yo transitioned to just walking on her own little by little as she was able and now can keep up just fine, it will be the same with the smallest(for most walks). The 2 older kids run ahead and back as they want and can stay in view (depending on terrain). When we bike the oldest can go ahead if he wants to go faster (as dh and I aren't master riders- especially pulling 70+ pds of bike trailer up a hill).

 

Around the house when we do different jobs everyone does what they are able. Taking breaks as needed. My kids are quite the workhorses though. Growing up we always worked around the house together and my parents never thought I couldn't do anything. I loved that time, it is so much more enjoyable to work together as well and the work needs to be done.

 

 

I don't think it has to be that complicated or that much thought. We just move more and are more active and do it as we are able. That increases and decreases at different times. Some things are easier for some than others (the kids are much more adept at climbing at me) but we of course have greater strength(for now- although ds loves to do pushups and is quite good!).

 

Kudos to the 85 yo, I'm glad she found something to help her. Dh's grandma just died at 91 and until the last 6 weeks was very active. She just puttered around the house, did lots of gardening and yardwork and worked on her crosswords. She kept her mind and body sharp, lots of ol' country folk around here like that though.

 

Lots of women really enjoy the camaraderie of working out together I get that, I used to as well. Then I found I just missed my family and wanted that time with them. My father in law started walking after a stroke and did so by himself for a year, now he meets someone up the road at the park, which I'm sure makes it more enjoyable for him.

Edited June 20, 2012 by soror

[wintermom]

My daily life is my exercise. By nature, I am always on the move during the day either playing with the girls, cleaning, picking up, etc. Even when the girls are at the playground, I do laps around the play structures. I pace while on the phone. I park far away from the store front. Etc, etc, etc. Even if I'm sitting down, I fidget.

 

My lifestyle is just very active and I don't formally take time to exercise. And I'm fit and trim and I am a "non-exerciser"!

 

Am I tired? Sure. I just got used to it!

 

I certainly wouldn't classify you as a "non-exerciser." I guess it is a difference in perception. You intentionally move, or maybe it's almost become habit. But at some point you tell your body, "Get up and move. Play with your child. Do laps around the play structures." That is exercise and physical activity. It's cheap, fits well within your life-style, and is great for you and your dc at this stage in your life. Undoubtably your movement will change and evolve as your dc age and their activities change. It will be neat to hear what you run laps around in 5 or 10 years.