Q & A: Our Exercise Routine

Taking a pause from the simplifying series this week to address this question that Abbi presented several weeks ago…finally getting around to sharing our exercise routine. Come back next Wednesday for simplifying tips for the bedroom!

Abbi asked: I would love to hear more about what you do for exercise in the mornings. What has worked for you?

Accountability

Aaron and I have found the most successful way to be consistent in exercising is to keep each other accountable. We wake up together around 6:30am and work out together before the little one wakes up. This has worked very well for us. I am not motivated to exercise without his help and the same goes for him. We exercise twice a week currently, Tuesday & Thursday mornings, as we normally take a family walk at least once a week to give us three exercise sessions each week (which I believe is the standard recommendation).

Exercise Bike

The Lord provided a nice exercise bike for Aaron’s use which he will work out on for about 30 minutes (neighbors moved away and gave it to us for $10), while I use an exercise aerobic video (around 25 min. in length). Due to the limited space in our bedroom, we actually store the bike in our closet and he exercises in there. We do have a large closet, so it works well. I use the video on my laptop, propped on the bed, and work out in our bedroom space. We enjoy this routine because it works well for all seasons! We are not dependent upon nice weather to get some good exercise in. Exercising in the morning also helps boost our energy levels for the day. It also works well to just take a shower right afterwards and be nicely prepared for the day.

Aaron actually reads his Bible while exercising, but I have to wait until afterward as my hands are active in my routine. I will spend time in the Word while nursing Karis as she normally wakes up around 7:30am, and by then we have completed our exercise, taken a shower, and have gotten dressed for the day.

I have seen numerous used exercise bikes and equipment on craigslist for anyone interested.

Workout Videos

Currently I am using Denise Austin’s Power Zone DVD. (Warning: on the front cover Denise is not in very modest attire, but in the video they wear decent sports bras or tank tops with shorts or capris. Front cover must just be for sales, sadly enough). This is an excellent, thorough, fairly intense workout, including an aerobic workout, and two other toning segments. I normally stick to the aerobic workout, as time does not permit further toning. You have to have a power resistance band for this workout, but these are very cheap in the exercise section at Target or a similar store.

I am still using this video into the beginning of my pregnancy, but in another month or so, I will mellow down a bit to using Denise Austen’s Fit & Firm Pregnancy DVD. I used this with the first pregnancy, and it was very helpful for keeping me healthy up till the birth. It is definitely not as intense as the Power Zone video, but it also includes a post-pardum workout to ease back down to your original weight.

That’s what works for us!