My sister-in-law and I were talking the other night about how we can get exercise as stay-at-home mommy’s, especially during the winter chilly months, and we need your input.
Growing up, my mom, sisters and I would get out our Stormie Omartian exercise videos and keep each other accountable by working out together. I appreciated Stormie’s videos because she was a believer and the music and dress were God-centered. Unfortunately, these videos do not seem to be produced any longer…at least I cannot locate them. Workout videos can definitely be on the cheesy side, but it is a great workout for indoors this time of year. Each session was only 30 minutes or so too.
During my pregnancy, I greatly benefited from Denise Austin’s Fit & Firm Pregnancy Workout. I would recommend it! A simple 20 minute workout and additional segments for more focused toning. She also has a post-pardon workout that is helpful. In the summer months after Karis was born I walked quite frequently with the help and accountability of my neighbor (who conveniently had also just had a baby and wanted to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight as well). Accountability is definitely a key!
Any good and simple ideas that you have found helpful for getting in regular exercise? Do you have a good exercise video recommendation? How did you fit it into your schedule?
I use a mini-trampoline. Last winter our neighbor had a yard sale and I bought it for $5. I jump 15 minutes in the morning and 15 before dinner. I was recently reading a book on detoxifying your body, and it highly recommended “rebounding” and said that is stimulates your lymphatic system and is part of many detox regimes, along with dry skin brushing (which i love). Since doing both of these activities, all of the cellulite on my body is gone!
I have to let you all know about our slider. It is amazing! It is this slippery 8 foot board that has stops on either end. The stops are adjustable so you can start short and work up. You put little booties over your shoes and slide from end to end like speed skating. My husband was the one who wanted it, but I have been the one using it for 10 minutes every morning. It really helps tone every muscle because you tighten everything as you slide. I am not one for exercise videos, and this really keeps me motivated. Plus there is no bouncing, so it is relatively quiet. I can do it while my husband is sleeping (in another room) and he never hears me.
Here is an informational link on the product: http://www.goalerone.com/g1Slide.html
It is pretty easy to get the hang of, and you can watch TV or listen to music while you do it. One last thing, you can roll it up and store it in a duffel bag. That is pretty hard to do, but possible.
We live in Africa as missionaries and so I don’t have the freedom to exercise outside alone, as a female. I really like Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds DVDs…mentioned above. I also really like things by Kathy Smith…she gives a hard workout. Blessings and thansk for your blog…a haven far away from home…
Exercise in the winter months, I have a treadmill. I wake everyday at 4 am, and run on it. I get a good 2-3 miles on it. during that time I do my praying, and I read the Word.
Summertime, I do laps in our pool, and still run on the treadmill. The children and I get out more tho. Lots of walks in the summer.
Best best, get a treadmill!!
Lindsay I hope you see this…
I found a video tape on ebay by Stormie Omartian.
Here’s the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/STORMIE-OMARTIAN-FIT-FOR-A-KING-Exercise-VHS_W0QQitemZ120229490994QQihZ002QQcategoryZ309QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
PS-The video I mentioned have no music and aren’t as cheesy as what I had tried before. And she is a Christian–she said in a seminar video I saw that she feels like she was divinely led to some of the principles she used to develop this program. Thought I would go back and connect it to what you said.
“T-Tapp” exercises are incredible. You can choose the 15 min. version or the 45 minute version. Unlike any workout video you’ve ever done. Here’s something I wrote about it: http://lymeadehealth.blogspot.com/2007/10/wellness-workout.html
It’s too much info to put into a single comment! My 6.5 year old does it with me and my 2.5 year old likes to imitate me or play with my hair when I bend over! But at 15 min, you could do it before kids get up if you prefer.
Leslie Sansone has some wonderful indoor exercise DVDs out. She also has written a book that is totally faith-based. She writes about how food is needed to live but not to the point of gluttony and all we need is faith in God to achieve our goals. I have the DVD which allows you to pick if you want to do the 1 mile, 2 mile or 3 mile workout and it is NOT just walking in place. I get a workout everytime! I highly recommend her.
I second the recommendation for Leslie Sansone’s in-home walking DVDs! I’ve been using them for 3 years and they keep me in great shape. She has a wide variety to choose from ranging to all lengths and intensity levels. The nice part is that most of the workouts do not use any extra equipment (in some she does use weights, stretchies, etc. but you can do the workouts without the ‘boosters’, too) so once you make the investment in the DVD, you’re good to go. As Beth mentioned, Leslie is also a Christian, however in most of her DVDs she does not directly reference this. She’s always very upbeat and again – the workouts are fantastic!
I like the “Crunch” pilates dvds, although the outfits are very immodest. I also enjoy using Leisa Hart’s post-natal and pre-natal dvds. I try and do them one or two times a week, but it’s hard to actually do it! My daughter usually does it with me. Another thing I do is walk at my local mall. It is really close to me, and the doors open at 7am for walkers. It is fun to see all the sales and yet be gone again before the stores open. I do it most consistently when I meet a friend there.
Another thought I have had is to schedule a time when my hubby is home and pretend I am at an exercise class yet do it at home. With him watching the little one I would hopefully get all the way through the dvd without interruptions and actually do it too!
When my children were younger, I used the Exercise Walking videos but I can’t remember the name of the lady who created them. I know that she has DVDs out about them now. Basically it was walking/marching in place to music that would gradually increase in pace. She would add in arm exercises too. My kiddoes would march with me and think it was great fun. Also, when they were babies, I’d use them as weights and walk up and down the stairs for about 20 minutes while carrying the baby. Now THAT was a workout!