UPDATE: Since I published this blog post early this morning (before I left for work, having written it late last night when maybe I should have been exercising 
), I have been BLOWN AWAY by the ideas, inspiration, stories and questions folks are sharing in the comments below the post.
This is such an important conversation for women to have - about exercise and how to get it shoe-horned into our lives – because particularly for those of us with little kids and full-time jobs, figuring out how to exercise regularly is REALLY HARD. It seriously is. If you haven’t lived this life, you may not realize how hard it is.
I mean, women in my position are not lazy. That’s not the issue. It’s the opposite. We’re so busy doing for other people – getting it done – that we don’t do for ourselves. It’s a self-care issue, and frankly, I think there are too many husbands and fathers who make it even harder for the mothers of their kids to do things like go out and exercise. That’s not always the case – I am lucky that it’s not one of my own barriers – but it IS a big issue for many women I know who are struggling with this same dilemma in their own lives.
Anyway, read the conversation happening in the comments below this post and join in with your own thoughts and responses. It’s an important dialogue for women to be having with one another.
xo – Katie
+++++
I have a full-time job and am the mother of five kids. I also have a husband, a big old house, three dogs, multiple freelance and consulting gigs (including my blog) going at any given time, and I also volunteer with Henry’s Fund. I am busy, no doubt, and people often ask me how I do everything I do. I usually answer jokingly that I manage by utterly neglecting myself, but that’s really not such a joke. Like many moms with busy lives, I DO tend to neglect myself, but as I ‘ve been blogging about lately, I am now trying to take some baby steps toward better self care.
For example:
-I’ve created a space just for me
-I’ve been overhauling my wardrobe and paying more attention to what I wear and how I look (I will be blogging more about this sometime in the next few days)
-I’ve been drinking more water and trying to jumpstart the process of losing the 30+ pounds of leftover weight from my last pregnancy (G is 18 months old now, so it’s time)
But one very important part of taking care of myself that I have NEVER been able to figure out is when to exercise, and what exercise I should be doing. Right now, I am totally inactive. At various points in our marriage, Jon and I have managed to find/make time for substantial walks of several miles around our neighborhood once or twice a week, but we haven’t even done much of that since G was born.
So here’s my exercise situation (along with all my excuses):
Staring down at my feet in shame at my inability to figure out my exercise dilemma.
- I can’t get up and exercise before everyone else is awake in the morning because the moment I get out of bed, G wakes up for the day, meaning that if wanted to get up at 5am every day, I would be assuming that Jon wanted to wake up at 5am as well (to care for G while I exercised).
- I am intimidated by gyms and don’t want to spend the money. Gyms seem so unappealing to me, and I have no idea how the machines work.
- I’ve tried yoga a couple of times, but I can’t figure out how to get my glasses to stay on while I do it, and without my glasses, I can’t see my feet, much less an instructor demonstrating poses. I also find the idea of yoga intimidating, much like a gym. What class should a chubby, out of shape mom of 5 start with? What do those yoga class names even MEAN? What kind of clothes should I wear?
- What I’d REALLY love to do is start riding horses again. Nothing I’ve ever done gives me more sheer joy than riding, and I am good at it. Equestrian sports are the only competitive sports at which I’ve ever succeeded, and I miss the whole thing. But riding is expensive and we probably can’t afford it, and it’s hard to fit riding into to a busy life, for sure.
- There are no showers at my office, so midday exercise would be tricky.
- I tried running for a while about two years ago and found that I hated it and it gave me shinsplints.
- It already feels like I am away from my kids too much with my full time job and semi-regular travel for work, so taking time away from them for exercise after work or on weekends seems really selfish, not to mention that I feel bad leaving the little ones for Jon for extra time when he already does so much of the childcare in our family.
Okay, so those are all the barriers to exercise for me, but I know that I have to get past the excuses and find a way to make exercise a regular, consistent part of my life. I am now solidly middle-aged, and I’ve had two c-sections in the past 4 years. My belly muscles are shot, and if I let my body slide any further, I could not only end up with serious health problems, I may find it hard to ever get my body looking and feeling as good as I want it to ever again. I REALLY don’t want to accept that I will never again comfortably wear a bikini at the beach. I don’t want to simply accept that those years are gone forever for me.
But how? How do I do this?
So my question of the day is for those of you who have gone from relative inactivity to regular exercise. How did you do this? What were your baby steps and overall process? What excuses and barriers did you have to get past to make it happen? How did you choose an exercise activity, and what made you stick with it?
Tell me how you did this in the comments below. I know your couch potato-to-regular-exercise story will inspire me, and help me figure this out, and do the same for other readers as well.
Katie —
Like many women, I wonder if the problem is that you don't want to ask your family to make sacrifices for your health and well-being. I know that you've been through so much in the past 18 months, and probably feel like your family was SO THERE FOR YOU that you shouldn't ask more of them. But exercise is so important – even just a few times a week! Maybe Jon could, just once or maybe a week, wake up early with G? Then find the time on Saturday or Sunday. It's 30 minutes, three times a week, that's all you need to make a difference. Heck, even twice a week is better than nothing! Start small. Ask for help with G one morning a week, and then fit another work out in over the weekend. On Saturdays or Sundays you have your older kids, try to incorporate some one-on-one time perhaps? Even if it's just really brisk walking, or walk-jogging?
I say that because I'm guilty of the same thing. I work 14 hour days once a week, as does my partner, so feel badly taking any time out of the remaining "normal" days for exercise. But there comes a time you've got to just do it (thanks Nike!). I've found the couch to 5k program an awesome way to work up running a few miles, and I mostly run/walk now. It's easier on my body, and plenty effective. I try to lift weights once a week if not twice for 30-45 minutes at the dreaded gym… you can do plenty of light-weight exercises at home if you buy a balance ball and a few sets of dumbells and a video though. Good luck!
I'm a runner and have been for years now, so my exercise routine is something I just do without thinking. I go to the gym (or outside to run) everyday for an hour after work, then go pick my kids up from daycare. On days I have them I put them into the jogging stroller and we run together. If it's crappy out, my gym has a nursery and they can manage just fine for 45 minutes.
Obstacles you listed are excuses – just take the plunge and start with regular walks! The benefits are enormous. Regular exercise helped me tremendously with depression and anxiety.
If you are concerned of being away from you family, buy a treadmill or an eliptical trainer.
Also,
First thing's first, don't feel bad about "leaving" your family to take care of yourself and be physically active. This is such an important lesson we can teach just by doing this for ourselves.
I live in the middle of nowhere and while the (small) university has a gym and (some) classes, I've found it impossible to participate (because they are all given while I teach). I love pilates and I love the DVDs I can do at home. And I've done them wearing glasses. Will totally help your core get back into shape. For starting off, I strongly recommend Stott Pilates, particularly any of the Level 1/Beginner ones.
http://store.stottpilates.com/store/~/C-31/At-Hom…
But another thing you may consider and it can turn into a family outing is aquafitness or aquajogging. Listen, I know how you feel about your body but I've taught it and done it and most of the people who do this activity have a similar body type that you say you have. It isn't hard on your joints and once you're in the water NO ONE CAN SEE YOU! I like doing it, too, because the kids can often come to the pool as well and play/swim/whatever with their dad while I work out. And let me tell you, you'll feel it when you're done.
Those are my 2 cents!
Put the baby in a crib, yo. Then get up at 5. Done!
Or pop her in a stroller with a breakfasty snack and take her on a brisk walk with you.
I do bikram yoga from 6-730, 3x a week. Kids are asleep or awake and spouse needs to deal with that — as I do for him.
Really really not looking for an answer, but sleeping with the kids, I think my question would be how to fit sex in!!
Excercise is so so hard to fit in, and I have no real advice. I will be reading your readers answers to get my advice.
I hate excercise.
Suffice it to say, that's not an issue
To clarify – Georgia starts the night in her crib, located in our bedroom, and then I put her in bed with us when she wakes at some point. As a working mama who already spends many hours away from all of my kids, I welcome the extra snuggle time.
I have older kids, so I know how fast the years go by when you get to snuggle them in bed at night, and I would not miss a minute of it.
-Katie
Don't be afraid of the gym. The vast, vast majority of the machines are very, very simple. The ones that aren't, well, you probably don't want to use. Find a gym with a similar demographic (your age, not young gym rats or body builders). You'd be amazed what 1 hr at the gym will do for your body and your mood (endorphin production).
Katie, I promise you that if I can do it, you can do it.
I gave birth to my second son 9 months ago, and I weighed in at 250lbs. I'm at 213 as of today, which is my lowest weight in 10 years. I started working out at National Fitness Center in May, and to say I was out of shape was an understatement. I felt the same way as you in a lot of ways: no clue what I'm doing, embarrassed to be around other fit people, what to wear, when to go, etc. I'm a SAHM, so I have more time than you, but I still had to figure out how to get there between nursing, naps and when their childcare is open. Anyway, I had tons of excuses, too. But I bit the bullet and joined.
Most of the time, I go at night after my boys are in bed, and that means that yes, last night it was 9 p.m. when I got there. I don't do anything fancy. I go in the Ladies Only area for my own comfort level. I take my Nook and my iPod or watch TV while I do the elliptical or the treadmill. When I started, I could not do the elliptical for more than 5 minutes without stopping for air. 5 months later, I don't look up for at least 30 minutes straight. I NEVER thought I would be there. Ever. EVER.
I know I could walk or get a treadmill for my house, etc., but I wouldn't use it. I live across the street from Adair Park and never go walking there. So joining a gym kinda made me go. Plus, I consider that time my most crucial "me" time. I read tons, listen to old rap music, don't have the phone on, etc. It's SO therapeutic.
Another HUGE thing that has helped me with my weight loss is signing up for myfitnesspal.com. Seriously, that is the shit. I started keeping up with everything I eat every day and it has made the BIGGEST difference, honestly, bigger than working out as far as weight loss. I feel better from exercise, obviously, but the scale moves from MFP. When I first signed up, for like 3 days, I just ate everything I normally ate and recorded it so I could see exactly how bad I was doing and where my pitfalls were (hello, Nutella, I love you too much). Now, I make smarter choices because I see how many calories I have left after each meal. It has a free app for your iPhone, and you can join up with friends on it, which is nice.
If you would ever like to try NFC, I have some guest passes I'd be more than happy to give you. They have great classes you could try out, or you can see how you feel about working out in their facility.
Christi! HUGE CONGRATS on that accomplishment. And I am so impressed that you are sharing your weight. I am too shy to do that, but I will tell you it's about 25 lbs more than my "normal" weight, when I got pregnant with G. More later, but wanted to give your big weight loss and commitment to exercise a public shout out.
xoxo – Katie
Well, thanks! There was a time that I wouldn’t have admitted my weight to anyone and I wouldn’t even look at the doctor’s office when they weighed me. Now, I figure, it’s just part of the journey. First step is admitting the problem and all that. It’s hard, because inside, I am still totally the hot little cheerleader I was in HS, so I was in denial for a looonngg time. I’m cool now, and know that it might take years to get to a good weight, but that’s alright. My bikini model career ended a while ago, lol!
C25k with a stroller with Jon in your neighborhood before or after work. Do it!
1. Buy a treadmill.
2. Get on it.
No excuses. It's like going to work, you have to do it, even if you don't feel like it.
This video is awesome. It breaks up workouts into 3 min warmup, 3 min abs, 10 minute cardio-strength intervals and 3 minute cool down. SHe has a 12 week fitness plan where every 4 weeks you add an extra 10 minute segment of cardio strength. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Lindsay-Brins-Postnatal-Boo…
My husband and i recently started the beach body insanity program. We work out together every night once the boys are in bed and it makes us feel even more like a team. We keep each other motivated and I'm telling you, it helps so much to have someone else in it with you. I'd start with Lindsay Brin, though. She's awesome, she makes you work really hard for 10 minutes at a time, you'll see results and who doesn't have 18 (or 28 or 38 minutes) a day to get your butt kicked a little? It will erase your excuses. Really, it will. Plus, it's fun. Good luck! You can do it! You deserve it!
I think the first step is coming to terms with the reality that, no matter what you do, exercise kinda sucks when you are really out of shape & trying to start a new program.
I also would recommend Crossfit. It is extremely welcoming & extremely impowering. Our bodies were made to be physically active, & it is amazing how quickly you make strides & fitness gains with this workout. Plus you will learn about lifting free weights & build muscle, shed fat as the workouts are both weight & cardio driven (combined). Resistance training is good for our muscles and bones- so you can combat osteoporosis on top of everything else.
Good luck finding something that works for you, Katie.
Katie,
I started yoga in the spring when I started studying for the bar exam. I realized that I was going to be studying for 10+ hours a day, on my butt, and wasn't going to be moving, so I had to do something, even if it was just once or twice a week. I joined a yoga studio and went to a basic basic Level 1 class that I was told was "beginner." Before the class, I introduced myself to the instructor, told her I was a yoga moron who hated all the "spiritual crap" that yogis did, and I just needed to move for an hour. She laughed and welcomed me in, paid a lot of attention to me at the first class, and I was hooked.
Since then, I have started going to yoga 2 or 3 times per week, whenever I can fit it in, but really, I fit it in almost every day while I was studying for the bar exam at least 10 hours per day. You can take an hour somewhere (maybe you could even do it with J if she was interested) for yourself.
In addition, I just started using the "Get Running" iPhone app – the nice British lady tells you when to run and when to walk, and I'm told this will build me up to running a 5K. I admit, sometimes, that I want to punch the British lady in the face when she tells me it's time to run again.
For me, it's having a dog and a small yard. LOL There's no choice, he must be walked. We do 30 – 35 min trail walks daily and once a week or so, hour or even 90 minutes trail hikes with friends. That's it. I'm lazy. LOL
I've been exercising with Jillian Michaels' videos for the last 7 months or so. In April I was working on getting in shape for a beach vacation and I did 30 Day Shred 5 days a week. It's 30 minutes including warm up and cool down and it's an effective workout. It's an interval workout, with 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute of abs, rinse repeat two more times. All you need is a set of 3 lb weights and workout shoes.
After a while I got kind of tired of 30 day shred and bought another Jillian DVD, Ripped in 30. Since that vacation ended, I have been pretty good at working out 3 days a week every week *except* for a few weeks when our family was moving cross country and this week due to me feeling crappy from having a cold. My 2 school age kids leave for school almost 2 hours apart from each other so I usually fit the workout in after the first one leaves. I am thinking about looking for some other short workout videos so I can mix it up a bit, but I'm pretty happy with how these videos are easy for me to do (well, they aren't easy but the length makes them doable).
When I was able to exercise – currently is it off my agenda due to issues with adrenal fatigue – I did yoga and weight lifting at home along to DVDs. My favorites were by Bob Harper, from Biggest Loser, the Pure Burn and Power Yoga, I think. I got them in the fitness department of Walmart for ten bucks each. All you need is some hand weights and a small bit of room. You can do it from the privacy and comfort of home, wearing whatever you want to wear, no one to see and you can go at your own pace without feeling like you have to "keep up".
I used to have a membership at the Rush and loved the yoga classes at the west Knoxville locations when I lived out that way (the ones at the east town mall location pretty much suck, and the area is not that great). I wish I could find a good secular class closer to where I live now. Like Sara, I don't want the spiritual stuff that goes with a lot of classes – it clashes with my beliefs and makes it uncomfortable.
Buy a mini trampoline for $50 or so online. This is something you can do while watching tv, and your kids will love it too! 20-30 minutes 4x a week will give you an amazing work out, it is also great for detoxifying your lymphatic system and building bone mass. Astronauts use it to build back up bone mass after being in space. This is important for women our age. Good luck Katie. It takes a commitment, but it is so worth it.
I completely relate to this. I can't find the time to exercise these days, and I have a home gym. All I have to do is walk downstairs and use it, but I haven't had much time lately. I'm hoping once the holidays are over things will settle down a bit and I can start up a routine again.
And I've been told our office *does* have showers somewhere on the first floor. You might want to ask Helen at the front desk if that's true. Work also now has zumba, pilates, yoga, and kickboxing classes on campus after work (starting at 6PM Monday through Thursday), so that's an option. I've been enjoying the kickboxing class but have missed the last couple of weeks thanks to medical issues.
Best of luck! And if you ever want a work walking trail buddy, let me know.
Someone probably already suggested it, but maybe morning walks with the baby in the stroller and the dog? Also, don't feel bad about trying lots of different things until you find something you can tolerate. Best of luck!
I'm mostly a lurker, but I'll comment here because this is an area where I've had some success.
Nobody has time for exercise. Exercising sucks. There. That's said. Now, on to the solution. At least, the one I found.
I have struggled my whole life with the problem, and never could find a place to fit in a few beads of sweat a day — that is, until sometime after my age became an f-word.
There are two things you need: some sort of equipment in your home, and a really incredible exercise bra. Go ahead and get the premium stuff — it will be worth it.
Going out to exercise is an extreme de-motivator, so you need to have something you can do at home. Traveling sucks up your valuable time. If you can work out at home, you can do a quick 20 minutes and be done with it, no extra time (or public showers) required!
But where to find those 20 minutes? I found them when I made a simple rule for myself: no showers unless there was some sweat to wash off. Period.
Once I made that rule, the workout became part of my shower (my toilette, as they say on the continent), and I haven't missed a day in years. I started out with a treadmill, and my early workouts consisted of just walking up a hill while reading a book. (I really looked forward to that time every day because reading was another thing I was having trouble finding the time to do on a regular basis.)
But you could also do a stationary bike, a wii, weights, jumprope, or whatever. If you can find someone to watch the baby for long enough to shower, you can surely take on a few extra minutes to sweat a bit beforehand.
I can't believe how such a simple thing has transformed my life. I exercise every day and while I don't necessarily enjoy every, single workout, I love the way working out makes me feel. I feel so much healthier and don't suffer nearly as much with the anxiety that used to plague me (I'm totally off meds).
I've since added an elliptical, a bike, weights, and running shoes to my little gym, just for variety. I work out in some form or another seven days a week. There's no negotiation involved and even when I'm traveling, I'll find some way to sweat before rinsing off.
I'm not a morning person, so I do my workout and shower in the evening, after work and before dinner. It takes a half an hour (or so, depending on that day's routine). And then I'm clean, comfy and ready to relax, pour a well-earned glass of wine, and enjoy the evening!
Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you!!
That is a GENIUS idea! Thanks for the mind-trick/tip! Love it!
OK – here's one idea that no one has mentioned. One time, (of many) that I was trying to get myself to exercise regularly, I asked myself this question: what would I do if it were my kids I was trying to teach and motivate? Answer: sticker chart. So what is my version of a sticker chart. My exercise of choice is brisk walks in the neighborhood or even in front of the TV w Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds. So I made myself a chart, and each time I racked up 5 miles I gave myself a non-food reward, i.e. a manicure, permission to buy a new book or pair of earrings, a long phone call w an out of town friends. Sometimes the rewards were things I would have probably done/gotten anyways, but they felt different this way. I got to take care of myself once by exercising and again by rewarding myself. It was a no lose arrangement because it didn't matter how long it took me do the miles. it wasnt, for example, a reward for walking three times a week or walking 3 miles at a stretch. Soon I bumped my rewards to each 8 miles and then 10 and eventually I just walked because I wanted to and didn't need the chart. Worked just like it does with the kids!
BTW, I am starting a full time job in December for the first time since my kids were born 13 years ago. I'm so ready and excited but I am thinking all the time now about how I am going to keep myself healthy. I am hoping to take 15 minute walks once or twice during the work day. I may need to pull out the chart again b/c I know how easy it is for me to slip back into neglecting myself when I feel like there isn't enough time.
It's hard, I know. It's hard for me and I don't work outside the home! But this is what I did. I started Couch to 5k – last year we were still living in a really nice apartment complex that had a small gym. (I know you said you don't like running BUT I have known people who walked it and had good results, too.) I was too self-concious to walk/run OUTSIDE where people could SEE ME so the treadmill was good. I did pretty well and then the holidays hit (which means my childcare goes out the window) and I lost momentum. Then we joined the local Y, which is the most non-threatening of all gyms. Plus, it's pretty dang affordable. I love that it's full of older people and moms like me. I started going to Zumba classes at the Y and I LOVE IT. It's so much fun. I highly recommend it, even if you aren't good at dancing, feel silly wiggling your hips, whatever. I feel like it really helped me get back in touch with my body. I also did some yoga, but man – at a certain size, unless you're with a yoga studio w/ very intuitive teachers, yoga can be very frustrating. (I am at a certain size.) This past fall I started back doing Couch to 5k and really focused on it. I also forced myself to run OUTSIDE since the weather was cooler and we moved to a neighborhood with sidewalks and few walking trails. This has been just wonderful in every way – getting out in the fresh air is addictive in the best way. So I just say, do what you can (I go when my child is in preschool). Give yourself that time, pop Danger Baby in the stroller if you have to so you don't feel like you're asking too much of Jon. I also have tried the Body by Bethenny DVD (which is yoga based) and it's very do-able and fun, for those days when it's raining or I just can't get out of the house.
I've really enjoyed T-Tapp — *great stuff* for toning muscles — go to their website and check it out. Their 15-minute workout TOTALLY WORKS, I swear.
Zumba classes are a hoot. Seriously! I feel very joyful doing Zumba, and believe me, I'm someone who can barely handle doing the Electric Slide.
I started at my local Y. I was quitting smoking so I traded addictions. Smoking for exercising. They have classes there. I do Zumba and Hip Hop. The area we did it in had low lighting so we didn't have to watch ourselves giggle but had enough lighting to be able to watch the teacher. U can throw on a T-shirt n sweats and go to it. I had a friend meet me there and we did classes every night and on Saturday mornings. I walked the track on Sundays. It is the best feeling. You should try it. Accountability friends are the best motivator.
I joined a 6am bootcamp with other people in May of this year and I am still going strong 6 months later. Being involved with a group makes it hard to not show up because people are expecting me and I cringe at the idea that when I do show up they are going to ask where I was? So it makes me committed. I am in the best shape I have ever been in. I am firm in places I didn't even know I could be firm, and my pooch/tummy is *almost* flat…not VS model flat, but flat enough for me without surgery.
I started off this year needing to lose 65 pounds. I obviously didn’t exercise and most definitely didn’t eat right. I decided that I didn’t need to be perfect, but just good enough. So for exercise I figured that meant I should work out at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes. And if a week went by where I didn’t make that goal to not just throw in the towel and not try again the next week. I have a recumbent bike so that is what I did. Do I love the bike? No, but I do love how much better I feel. And I have found that activity begets more activity. Since starting this we have gone on bike rides as a family, my husband and I have taken an occasional Friday off work to go hiking together and I tried out the 30 day shred. I have also lost 35 pounds. So I guess my advice is just to start small–make a commitment to moving your body 20 minutes a day and stick with it. Even with small changes you will see a difference.
Look at exercise not as something you do to fit into a bikini or you may be perpetually disappointed, but something you do to stay healthy and active for a long time and be around for your kids into a ripe old age. Being/feeling healthy is important. It's also the only way I can cope well with stress. Working out has amazing stress reduction properties that I'm sure you'd benefit from.
Studies show that you have more motivation if you do something with a friend. Take a lunchtime fitness class somewhere. My office mate, who is in her 60s, "dragged" me to a Core & More class. We do the class with a fun instructor from 12-12:45, grab a quick bite, and are done by 1 p.m. or so. Truth be told, none of us shower after working out. A dab of deodorant is enough. Sweating is natural! Don't worry about the lack of showers at work.
I do yoga for an hour on Sundays after church. It's worth it. Yoga isn't a huge fat-burner, but it is good for my sanity and flexibility. Again, I was enticed to go by friends, and they keep me going back.
Lastly, I go to the Planet Fitness gym, which only costs $10/month. I don't go often, but when I do I watch TV while on the treadmill for half an hour after work, or I try to read (unsuccessfully often) on the treadmill. It's healthy multitasking, and sometimes a little bit before I head home to the kids does wonders for me.
Do it for yourself and don't feel guilty about taking the time. I didn't read all the posts here, but as in an airplane, when the masks drop, you have to take care of yourself first, in order to be around to take care of everyone else.
just wondering if you have heard about this -
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/19/justice/california-…
The YMCA of East TN is fabulous. I used to work out at the one downtown. Now I do the Y at our new home in PA (not nearly as nice, but good).
Hi Katie,
I have exactly the same constraints as you have (don't like running, want to have time with my family and not overburden my husband…), and while waiting for the time to have a horse in our family (will still take some years I fear), I just use my bike to go to work. So I have exercise included in my daily routine whether I have time for it or not, because to work I have to get, one way or the other.
And before you tell me you have to drop the children off somewhere – this we also have, but we've done it for years with a chariot attached to the bike and now, as school is unfortunately 12 kms away and we had to buy a car, we park the car near the school after dropping off the children and continue by (foldable) bike! Mostly going to the nearest train station, and then from the station in the city centre to work by bike.
Don't know what your distances are but could be worth to get creative on using your way to work somehow to exercise?
Good luck!
CEO Randy says that he likes having a goal. The vague "to stay fit" doesn't inspire him to keep at it. So his goal is to run farther or faster.
I haven't!!!!! Lolol
Sell your soul to ride. That's what I would do
@Nadia – I like the way you think
This is what I am working on too.
I'm a fellow rider (well, not currently due to finances)… So I can totally relate
A couple years ago I asked everyone to contribute to my "treadmill fund" in lieu of birthday and Christmas gifts. In the end, I was able to purchase a nice middle-of-the-road treadmill. I also purchased a personal DVD player that I have perched on the treadmill console. Every night when my husband gets home from work, I walk/run on my treadmill and watch my movies (and catch up on TV series that I've missed over the years). I don't allow myself to watch the movies/shows anywhere but on my treadmill. So it's a great motivator to get me back on the treadmill so that I can finish a movie or watch another episode of 24! And sometimes I exercise much longer than expected because I don't want to turn off the movie.