Goals

[austinmomto2]

Since the majority of us want/need motivation to help us reach our exercise/health/wellness goals, I thought we could start from the beginning and post our goals (short term and/or long term) here.

This will help us each keep in mind what it is that we are all striving to achieve!

[austinmomto2]

I'll start. This is a work in progress...

Short term goals:
1) Make at least 3 cycling classes/wk
2) Start doing more yoga at home or at the gym-at least once or twice/wk
3) Use the kids' naps and quiet time to focus on relaxation techniques or reading. NO COMPUTER TIME
4) Sift through many of the healthy recipes posted here and incorporate the into the family's diet
5) Fit in one swim workout at the gym pool/wk

Long term goals:
1) Do a triathlon next Spring/Summer (2009). Every year that I wanted to start training for a triathlon or do one, we were either trying to get pregnant or I was pregnant.
2) Feel internal peace with myself
3) 4 cycling classes/wk; 2 swim sessions/wk; 2 running sessions/wk; 1-2 yoga sessions/wk

[bexx09]

OMG Marci, I'm worn out just reading your goals! ;)

I really just need to get back into doing SOMETHING. I know that I always feel better when I work out regularly and I have videos and a treadmill to do it with, I just make excuses not to.

So my goal is to start back up again this week -- with these walking videos that I have. The 1 mile one is only 20 minutes long and I know I can at least make the time to do it every other day this week.

I'll post another goal next week.

[jujubee]

Hmmm, my only goal right now is to not scare any young children when we get to the beach in June. Swimsuit season is right around the corner, and I'm SO dreading it. Ok, so my specific goal is to tone my butt and belly in time for June so I can wear my bikini loud and proud.

Please tell me I can acheive this by sitting on the computer all day.

[austinmomto2]

The walking video sounds awesome, Bexx! We sold our treadmill on Craigslist 3 yrs ago cuz I'd only use it when I would watch TV and I got bored.

Juju, you could get some butt toning in on the computer if you did some butt squeezes while you were sitting in front of the screen . Squeeze, hold 30 mins and do 3 sets of 15. You could do the same thing for your abs .
I commend you on wanting to wearing bikini. I have a few stretch marks from my pregnancy with Kane on the lower portion of my stomach-they're light but there is NO WAY I will put a bikini on no matter how in shape I become.

Do you need some butt exercises to do? I can post some links of some good ones. Also, good/fast butt and leg toners are lunges-front, back and walking- and squats.

[greenfrog57]

Originally Posted by austinmomto2

The walking video sounds awesome, Bexx! We sold our treadmill on Craigslist 3 yrs ago cuz I'd only use it when I would watch TV and I got bored.

We sold our treadmill in a yard sale when I was going to the gym more often and the treadmill we had was huge. We needed to clear that room for dd's arrival.

Originally Posted by austinmomto2

Juju, you could get some butt toning in on the computer if you did some butt squeezes while you were sitting in front of the screen . Squeeze, hold 30 mins and do 3 sets of 15. You could do the same thing for your abs .

Did you mean seconds? (I hope so).

I need to get back into the swing of things. I have been walking 30 min before picking up ds from busstop every other afternoon. I would like to do this everyday (as long as it's not windy). My girlfriend about 3/4mi from me has started walking to the grocery store a few times a week (about 1.2 mi from her). I would like to try to do this at least once per week with her or on my own in the AM after dropping ds to busstop (if dd 2 1/2 tolerates that). I posted on freecycle last week looking for a jog stroller. I need to see if the library has workout videos to checkout. I have a couple that I can't stand. I like the idea of a 20-30 min workout video for naptime.

AMto2: I commend your goal of no computer time for naptime. My problem is that I would just watch TV instead. I would like to make a long-term goal of no TV/computer during naptime. (as long as DD continues to nap)

[bexx09]

Originally Posted by greenfrog57

Did you mean seconds? (I hope so).

Poor Juju is off holding her butt squeeze for 30 minutes!

[jujubee]

Originally Posted by greenfrog57

Did you mean seconds? (I hope so).

Originally Posted by bexx09

Poor Juju is off holding her butt squeeze for 30 minutes!

You mean I can let go now?

[austinmomto2]

Aghhhh-sheesh- of course I meant seconds . You would've had some tired butt cheeks tomorrow . You'd be doing the waddle walk just like the last few months of pregnancy...

[austinmomto2]

Originally Posted by greenfrog57

I need to see if the library has workout videos to checkout. I have a couple that I can't stand. I like the idea of a 20-30 min workout video for naptime.

I was thinking of starting some sort of dvd/video swap thing for members on here who are interested. Just gotta think of the details on how to get it started and logistics, etc.

DD doesn't nap much any more but she has "quiet time" which really isn't quiet but at least she is in her room having some down time for a bit.

It really doesn't give me much time to do anything. So if I plan on doing some sort of workout at home, I usually do it when the baby is down and she is up. She does some things with me too and she learns the importance of fitting physical activity into her lifestyle. She now does some yoga moves, tries to get on my big exercise ball and uses some of my resistance bands-it's cute .

[Earthartisan]

OMG... I don't need to hold any butt sqeezes... you guys just made me laugh my butt off!!! LOL!

[kristen.c]

Some great goals here already! I'll add mine into the mix.

Short Term goals:
1. Continue doing walking circuit, flexibility and strength-training exercises on a regular basis. I should be able to do this 4-5 days a week through the Spring and Summer. Fall/Winter is another story.
2. Get back into creating a meal plan at the beginning of each week for the rest of the week. No more erratic meals/skipping meals because I couldn't figure out what to make.
3. Reacquaint myself with yoga and pilates- I'd like to get some DVD's for this.
4. Remember to take my vitamins each and every day.
5. Quiet my inner critic by practicing positive thoughts and actions, and making time in my schedule for daily meditation.

Long Term goals:
1. Sign up for an aqua aerobics course for arthritis at the Columbia Association. (This will require a Columbia Association membership.)
2. Go to the gym with DH on a regular basis. (This is dependent on DH's work schedule.)
3. Achieve healthier weight.
4. Go to my internist/PCP this Summer for my yearly physical and go back yearly. Going to specialists will not count as a regular doctor visit.
5. Incorporate some healthy fish into my diet.

[austinmomto2]

Excellent goals, Kristen! Your meal menus are such an inspiration to me and I get so excited to find out what you have made for dinner.

I also need to quiet my inner critic and take my vitamins daily. I should easily be able to do this with all my vitamins I have stockpiled from WAG and CVS deals-sheesh!

[jujubee]

Juju, you could get some butt toning in on the computer if you did some butt squeezes while you were sitting in front of the screen . Squeeze, hold 30 mins and do 3 sets of 15. You could do the same thing for your abs.
I commend you on wanting to wearing bikini. I have a few stretch marks from my pregnancy with Kane on the lower portion of my stomach-they're light but there is NO WAY I will put a bikini on no matter how in shape I become.

Do you need some butt exercises to do? I can post some links of some good ones. Also, good/fast butt and leg toners are lunges-front, back and walking- and squats.

I may have lucked out w/ the stretch marks, but I'm not without post-baby flaws, trust me. I'd love to know some simple things that really work. I don't want to be standing here wasting my time w/o results, kwim? I mean, I already wasted 30 mins today...

[kristen.c]

OMG I just saw the 30 minutes thing...talk about not being able to walk for a week if you did that! I don't think I'd actually be able to sit.

One thing you can do for your abs is crunches for the upper abs, and leg lefts- lie on your back and lift and hold you legs up a few inches off of the ground for 10 seconds. Not that I currently have anything close to a flat stomach but it was once upon a time. Don't do too many at a time though because you will really regret it every time you cough or sneeze. Also if it's too much to do both at the same time, try doing one at a time.

[bexx09]

Originally Posted by jujubee

I may have lucked out w/ the stretch marks, but I'm not without post-baby flaws, trust me. I'd love to know some simple things that really work. I don't want to be standing here wasting my time w/o results, kwim? I mean, I already wasted 30 mins today...

[austinmomto2]

Oh, my OB/Gyn told me to save up my pennies for tummy tuck when I asked him if ab exercises would get rid of my lower pooch. He told me it was extra skin and not fat. So I could do ab exercises to help strengthen my core, since I had 2 c-sections, etc but they would never fully tighten the skin/regain the elasticity without the help of surgery. At this point, I will just do my stomach exercises and not think about surgery. I won't completely disregard the option, but I am just not one that will willingly go under the knife for a cosmetic issue. But that may change 10 years down the road-who knows ..


In the meantime, here are some really good ab exercises

Bicycles are excellent and tough for abs:
Top 10 Most Effective Ab Exercises

Planks are also really good for the entire abdominal region:
Top 10 Most Effective Ab Exercises - Plank

I like doing this one at the gym: I usually put a medicine ball between my knees to add resistance-these are tough and hurt in a good way:
Captain's Chair Exercise - One of the Top Ab Exercises - Abs

[greenfrog57]

Originally Posted by austinmomto2

Oh, my OB/Gyn told me to save up my pennies for tummy tuck when I asked him if ab exercises would get rid of my lower pooch. He told me it was extra skin and not fat. So I could do ab exercises to help strengthen my core, since I had 2 c-sections, etc but they would never fully tighten the skin/regain the elasticity without the help of surgery. At this point, I will just do my stomach exercises and not think about surgery. I won't completely disregard the option, but I am just not one that will willingly go under the knife for a cosmetic issue. But that may change 10 years down the road-who knows ..

I completely agree with you on no surgery if you can avoid it. Luckily, I have very little skin stretching and my stretch marks are hardly noticeable on my pale skin. However, I know I will never have the desire to wear a bikini again. LOL

I did do 2 10 min workouts today at naptime -- no nap today though. I plan on doing 1 or 2 more 10 min workouts after kids are in bed. Also, we're planning a 1 1/2 mi walk to the park later with the kids on their bikes. DD (2 1/2) has been doing excellent with pedalling her trikes with the mommy handle in the back. DS (5 1/2) is loving his bike rides.