How do I fit exercise into my day?

muscles...this is all I've got

A friend asked me the other day how I worked exercise into my day. Like me she has a couple of young children but for her a regular exercise routine was just not happening. I can't say I have it all figured out but I am proud of how I have been able to regain some of my former fitness levels and routines.

(Disclaimer : I am [clearly] NOT an expert on exercise. I have no qualifications whatsoever in this field!)

So what do I do?

At the moment I run 5 days a week, go to the gym 1 day a week (weights) and try to do weights type workout at home/work 2 days a week.

How do I fit it in?

I make it a priority! It is both that simple and that complex!
For me, a regular exercise routine relies on two things - mindset and practicalities.

 Mindset has nothing to do with willpower. I have no more willpower than the next person.  What I do have is the right mindset. I have given myself permission to make my exercise a priority. Does it supersede all other family demands? Nooooo. Does it become the lowest priority demand? No, it does not. And that's what I mean by mindset. I allow myself to put a value on my exercise. Many women (Mums) don't. So they don't exercise.

The practicalities are also complex. The things that I do:

• I have a running pram.
• I have a supportive, runner husband.
• My gym has childcare.
• I am realistic and crafty about when I can squeeze exercise in.
• I work 3 days a week, and whilst I have zero flexibility in hours I do finish early enough to run before daycare pickup ( though I usually prefer not to but it is a backup).
• I have a GPS watch. It keeps me honest. A phone app would do the same job.

The running pram is just about the best money I have ever spent. We have a Bob Ironman Dualie and it is awesome. I cannot recommend it enough.

I run both days of the weekend with my husband, kids loaded in the running pram. Saturday we do parkrun, possibly the most awesome development in running ever! They are everywhere, runners and walkers welcome. (Check out parkrun.com.au)

Mondays, due to timing, I can squeeze in a hills session and basic weights at work before I pick up the kids. Hills are awesome. They take maybe 15 minutes and I am absolutely spent at the end of it. The weights I do are really basic. Full body, using dumbells and bars, sets of push ups. I usually allow about 15 - 20 minutes. It's rushed but that is the time frame I have to work in. I save time by doing abs later at home. (When I remember).

Tuesdays and Wednesdays I run with the kids. My oldest will still go in the running pram. For now. We have a little deal going. We run, then go to the park or playground and do whatever errands we have for the day. We are also lucky enough to run amongst great beauty.

At the moment the kids aren't doing any classes. They go to daycare 3 days a week and I think that is enough stimulation ( although swimming classes will probably be starting up in the New Year). Wednesday I also try to do weights at home - pushups, lunges, squats, simple handweight exercises.

Saturday afternoon I go to the gym while Mr MRWS stays home with the kids during naptime.
Because Mr MRWS also runs I am somewhat locked out of morning runs but my job gives me wiggle room in the afternoons so sometimes that is when it happens.

I run because it's just what  I do. I do have the advantage that I have been running for about 15 years so was in the groove before having kids. That has made it easier to slot back into running. I also know how good being fit and healthy feels and did not care for the alternative. I like being in shape!

Some will say that it is shallow/vain to worry about your exercise routine. But having a baby can do a number on your body. Not being a fan does not make you shallow or vain or a bad mother. Non mothers are allowed to care about their body image so why not mothers? It can make such a difference to your mental well being and equilibrium. Well, it does to mine anyway. When I get my runs in I feel so much better, physically and mentally.

The takeaway is that you need to find what works for you. Don't like running? Then don't do it! Find what you do like/love/enjoy. Realistically look at when you can fit it in. 20 minutes is plenty of time to get the heart pumping. Get your other half on board, there are plenty of benefits for him of a fit and healthy sweetie! Give yourself permission to prioritise your needs. As Nike would say "Just do it"!

Lily

What I wore to work - patterned silk and pants

Sometimes it pays to be cautious. I have had this top for some time. It originally had a long, empire waist tie that tied in the back. After I had the kids I pulled it back on. And then took it off. After 3 years of pregnancy/post partum/pregnancy the last thing I wanted was to look 4 months pregnant. So I put it back in the wardrobe. Some time later I pulled it back out and thought about wearing it without the tie. Much better! It now looked like a loose, breezy top, not a maternity one. So I cut the tie off and kept on wearing it.

It's old Country Road. Their current similar version is here.
Pants are also Country Road - their stock standard work pants. They always have them or something similar, colours vary. Current version here.

The sleeves on the blouse are a nice flutter sleeve. I think they are quite flattering.

The necklace is a lovely one from Tiffany several years ago, but is no longer available.  It has Diana, the Greek Goddess on one side and "courage" on the other. It's a talisman of sorts for me. Whenever I put it on I think  "Be brave today Lily. You are courageous". And then I usually start singing "I am woman, hear me roar", much to the kid's and husband's displeasure.  And I have a good old chuckle at their expense. Deal with it people! It's a nice start to the day!


Lily

This week in running - Run Newcastle race report

Mileage last week: 35km + hills

Last week I did the Run Newcastle event. It offers a 6km walk, 6km run and 12 km run. I did the 12 km run. It was also my bright idea that I would push the kids rather than Mr MRWS pushing.  Which would be fine if there wasn't a massive hill in the first few kilometres of the race!

The Race outfit. Changed shoes at last minute.

I had a goal in mind before the race that I wanted to break 65 mins. With the climb and the pram I wasn't sure what my pace would be like. The climb was not horribly steep but was reasonably long so I had decided beforehand that I would walk where necessary.( Ok, more like I had told myself that I was going to have to walk and that it was ok, there was no shame in walking. ). I ended up walking 4 times, once fro each section of the hill. Talk about happy to reach the top!


The course was such that you ran up to the top of a hill and then came straight back down to sea level, via a big park by the ocean. Coming back down the hill I was flying and managed to overtake a lot of the people who went past me going up the hill. Once back down at the beach the course wound it's way around the harbour and back to the start/finish area. I was happy with how I ran as I managed to maintain a steady pace once I was up that hill!

This view was my reward after the hill!

 The day was hot so I was glad for the water and sports drink I had with me.  I didn't quite think the sports drink through. Trying to drink out of a full, normal bottle  while running and pushing a pram is generally not a good idea. I think that more drink went on the pram and on me than actually in me!


I enjoyed the race but Mr MRWS was not a fan. There were only 2 drink stations (water only) fro the 12 km course. As I said it was a hot day. You know there aren't enough drink stations when people are queuing at bubblers along the course! The course was also problematic for the second half - on and off footpath, through busy restaurant areas. It was a bit of a nightmare with the pram, actually.


I finished in a tick under 62 minutes. I was very happy with that! It's hard to really push hard when racing with the pram over any distance.  You can't risk completely blowing up and having to sit  in the gutter and wait for your other half to come and retrieve you and your offspring from aforementioned spot in the gutter 5 km from the finish. Or something like that.


When I finished Mr MRWS was waiting with a big, sweaty hug. He wasn't thrilled with his race but I think he ran really well. I'm keen to RunNewcastle next year, I will need to talk Mr MRWS into it.

My leg muscles were sore for the next few day but not crazy sore and I was able to run easily the following Tuesday. So I am back into it and trying to navigate running in the summer heat!


Lily.

What I wore to work - denim and sparkles

I am lucky that my workplace is relatively casual. I don't wear jeans but I am not expected to wear a suit. Neat, tidy, professional looking.  Not terribly exciting. I've mentioned before that I am struggling with trousers at the moment. They don't seem to fit right. Two pregnancies in a short amount of time will do that. So I feel schlumpy and dumpy all day. Hence the reason I wear dresses. A lot.


So today it's another dress. A Denim Shirtdress. Comfortable. Love it. Of course I have to add a little something-something to it. Today it was a sparkle necklace and patterned shoes. Which probably should not be worn in the same outfit but that is how I roll.

(Please excuse the creases, a morning moving computer hardware around will do that to a girl!)

Dress: Target USA, similar here
Necklace: Target Aus, similar here
Shoes: Diana Ferrari, similar here.

I find the process of blogging an interesting one, for a number of different reasons. Being a proud tech head I love the actual IT process involved. The hardware, the software, coding, love it all. I find the taking of photos also quite fascinating. I am frequently (daily) surprised to see how outfits look in a photo, as opposed to how they look in my head. Sometimes it is a nice surprise, sometimes (all too often) it is quite confronting. Is that how that outfit actually looks?? Why didn't anyone tell me??

Overall though, it is a positive experience and one that has me thinking. And isn't that what it is all about?

Lily