Tag: exercise

It’s nearly time for trick-or-treating and with it, the possibility of weight gain. And while I’m still trying to shed the last few pounds of baby weight through the use of the lolo apps (which I love by the way!!), I do have a sweet tooth and a particular love of chocolate.

And though we do try to eliminate as much processed sugar from our diets as possible, it does get a little tricky starting with Halloween (and not ending until the New Year!) and I am definitely more lax about what I eat.

So, how do we balance our love of the sweets and our number on the scale? Here are just a few ways you can battle the candy without gaining a pound.

Take a Short Walk in the Morning

And when I say short, I mean short. Grab the dog and just go out around the block. Ideally, if you have the time for it, go out for 20 minutes. Make your walk brisk and use the time to really wake up and get a focus on the day. This actually benefits you in two ways: Read more…

I’ve been wondering how exercise effects breastfeeding and suspected that being overly active reduces the quantity of breast milk. After much research, I’ve unfortunately found that it has no effect.

I guess I was trying to rationalize not returning to my workout regimen. Sadly, it’s perfectly healthy to start working out again. even if you’re trying to produce as much breast milk as possible.

I realize I shouldn’t put pressure on myself to either workout or not workout. I mean, I hate this big tire I have parked around my belly after my pregnancy. It jiggles in very unsightly ways, so I guess it’d be nice to not have that anymore.

Of course, there is no guarantee that I’ll be able to get that off. But I’ve got such little energy that the LAST thing I want to do is go to the gym…wouldn’t it just be nice to sit down for a half a second, take a deep breath and just be?

Well, I guess that moment will have to wait 20 years or so. Until then, I’ll just have to start listening to my gym shoes calling my name from the closet. Who knows – maybe a little exercise will even give me some energy.

photo credit: Ed Yourdon

If you have been spending hours at the gym trying to slim down, here’s some news you probably will not want to hear. New studies reveal that the weight loss benefits of exercise may have been overstated. Diet, it turns out, is a much bigger factor in weight loss.

A review of recent research by the Mayo Clinic concluded that “most studies have demonstrated no or modest weight loss with exercise alone.” Other studies assigned groups of sedentary women to different amount of exercise for a year, but found that the women lost similar amounts of weight regardless of which group they were in.

Before you give up the gym forever, countless researchers have found that exercise has a myriad of other heath benefits – it reduces depression, heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, and dementia, to name just a few. But when it comes to losing weight, exercise alone just isn’t the best route.

Researchers believe that we overestimate the number of calories we burn while exercising – often doubling the actual calorie count. We then reward ourselves for our hard work by eating food that packs on many more calories than we have burned off. I know I’m certainly guilty of that.

So the lesson here is not to stop exercising if you want to lose weight. Just keep your post-workout reward a little smaller.

photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt

In light of my about face regarding exercising while pregnant, here are seven great benefits of exercising while pregnant (I found them on BabyCenter’s website – a great resource if you haven’t found it already!):

1. Boost your energy: It seems antithetical, but truly it works. I’m living proof. Apparently, it strengthens your cardiovascular system, circulating oxygen through your body which is both good for you and the baby.

2. Sleep better: Let’s hope this is true. God willing, I’ll sleep through the night again consistently!

3. Reduce pregnancy discomfort: Well, I’m not so sure that’s at all possible, since being pregnant is extremely uncomfortable. But, it does help your muscles get stronger and more able to cope; it also improves circulation, so there’s that. Plus, stretching can only help with those pesky leg cramps. Those really suck.

4. Prepare for Childbirth: Yeah, yeah, yeah, can anything really prepare you? But again, if you’re in for a long haul birth (which, of course, you’ll never know till you get there) then having stamina and strength is nothing but good.

5. Reduces stress and lifts your spirits: Ahh, endorphins! Definitely a blessing when things get you down. I’ve found endorphins are the only real counter measure to all those raging hormones that make me feel crazy. Also, exercise boosts your serotonin levels, a chemical in your brain linked to mood.

6. Improves your self image: Not that you’ll be actually losing weight, but exercising may make you feel better in your expanding body – almost as if it allows you to regain some sense of ownership over your body.

7. Gets your body back faster after childbirth: To be fair, I’m not sure if pre-childbirth exercise has anything to do with post-childbirth weight loss, so I’m skeptical on this point. However, if you’re already in the habit of working out, then picking it back up after giving birth is, in fact, less of a big deal.

Of course, always check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen! And, don’t push yourself. Be very kind to your body because you’ll need it to perform with the time comes.

photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

I’ve heard so many people and books talk about the importance of exercising while pregnant and I’ve just ignored them this time around. Yes, it’s supposed to ward off fatigue, help you sleep better, burn calories and in general help you cope with all the challenges of pregnancy. But, c’mon, who has the energy to work out when your body is already working overtime to create another human?!?

I hate to admit it, but I’m seeing the error of my ways. Because my husband dragged me to the gym after enrolling our daughter in to their child care program, I worked out last week. Yes, I was DOG tired at the beginning, thinking “what the hell am I doing, I’d much rather be sleeping!”

Oddly, by the end of my 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, I felt energized. I even lifted (very light) weights. For less than 5 minutes, but still. Of course, I checked with my OBGYN before doing anything.

And, today – swimming! I have to say swimming is far better than anything else, though I tend to sink deeper in the water than I used to, so it requires more kicking, But, joy of joys, my body is no longer heavy while I’m in the pool. It’s such a relief.

Now, here’s the kicker (ha ha)…just to backtrack, last night I was up for hours for no good reason except that my body has decided to not sleep when all conditions are perfect for sleeping. HUGE BUMMER. So again I was dragging, but the swimming has enabled me to get through the day with more energy than I started with. Really. And, hopefully it will help me sleep through the night. We’ll see.

Overall, I’m a convert. Plus, now I can enjoy that extra large bowl of ice cream even more because, dammit, I earned it! Keep your eye out for a future post on a list of benefits of exercising while pregnant!

photo credit: baicai9527

Let’s face it, whether you’re a working mom or stay at home, there’s never enough time in the day to do everything. Unfortunately, that means exercise is the first to go (sleep is probably the second to go!). No matter how busy you are, though, there is time to squeeze in a workout. The key is multitasking – incorporating workouts into your everyday activities.

Now there’s a free website available called Squeeze It In to help busy moms get fit during the day. Run by Brigette Polmar and Jenny Hein, a couple of moms from Virginia, Squeeze It In has lots of exercises and videos to give you ideas on how to multitask.

Here are a few ideas from the website to get you started:

Let’s Dish Lunges

If you’re in the kitchen cooking a meal, instead of walking from counter to counter try lunging instead. By the time you’re finished cooking you will have toned and strengthened your butt and thighs.

Can Can Arms

Waiting for the microwave to finish? Grab a couple of cans out of the cupboard and lift them out to the side. By the time the microwave timer rings you will have done at least a few sets, strengthening your arms and shoulders.

Don’t let a busy schedule hold you back from staying fit. With a little creativity you can take care of your kids and get a great workout in at the same time.

For more exercise ideas, check out Squeeze It In.

photo credits: Squeeze It In