Workouts for WAHMs!

If you want to cut your stress level without resorting to a bottle of wine, try an energy blasting, kick butt workout to re-charge your batteries.

I often find I’m tired, crabby and prone to eat things I shouldn’t on days when I skip the workout. I’m not saying that you should workout seven days a week either; however if you can fit in a 20 to 45 minute blast at least four to six days a week you’ll feel stronger, healthier and even smarter!

You already have discipline if you can accomplish your job from a remote location which is half the battle with working out.  There are also a few things you can do to encourage that daily workout:

1. Workout when your body is ready. If you aren’t a morning person, don’t try to drag your body from bed at the crack of dawn to do cardio.  You’ll only end up hurting yourself because you’ll still be sleeping!  I typically wait until I’ve digested my coffee and a little breakfast and have already packed the little darlings off to school before my workout.
2. Be nice to yourself.  Don’t go all Jillian Michaels on yourself every workout.  Sometimes you just need to tell start out slowly then build into your workout.
3. Do things you enjoy.  If you hate to run don’t do it.  You’ll resent your workout and avoid doing it even more. Some people do better going to a class at the gym whereas others like to grab a DVD and follow along at home.
4. Accommodate your schedule.  If you have babies who nap, workout while they are sleeping.  Or do 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening.  You can always fit in a workout no matter how busy you are-trust me!

I’ve been a fitness enthusiast for more than 30 years starting with playing soccer as a little girl.  By the way, I’m SHOCKED at what I saw on women’s soccer last week!

Anyway, I digress….I’ve tried my hand at a variety of workouts from running marathons to yoga.  I learned that it’s incredibly important to mix up your routine.  If you like doing Tae Bo, do your Tae Bo DVD three days a week and then walk or run four or five miles one day and try a yoga DVD another day.

Also, if you want to really get shredded and kick butt, try some of these new plyometric DVDs such as the Tony Horton PX90 or the new Body by Jake “Get Ripped” series.  Plyometric training is jump training such as jump squats. Many of these trainers use weights while you jump so be sure you are in top condition before attempting these.

Jillian Michaels offers some great 20 minute workouts for busy moms on the go.  Try her 30 Day Shred DVD. It’s three 25 minute cardio and weight blasting workouts that you can fit in between client meetings or naptime.

Try working out for at least a week and see how your work production level is impacted.  I actually find that I write better after a nice five or six mile run than before!!

Food for thought!