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Fit for Life
Feb 07 2010 |
 
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I was very active growing up. I loved the outdoors, not television. I grew up with no choice about working in the garden, at the barn, in the house, in the flower beds. It was just what we did.
I always cared about my body – but never really had a weight problem.
I began running in college because of friends’ encouragement. I think it’s the results I saw from regular exercise that caused me to change my major from journalism to public health education.
For all these years, instead of using my college degree on the “general public” – I’ve used it on my children. Every single one of them runs and/or works out regularly. Every single one of them watches eating habits.
I’ve been running or doing aerobics regularly ever since. I’ve never been on a diet in my life.
I gained 54 pounds with my first baby, Jeremy. When he was 3 months old, I was surprised that most of the weight was still there. For the first time in my life, I had a weight problem.
I called my doctor’s office and said to Betty, my nurse, “I’m still fat.”
She said, “Audrey, get outside and push that baby in the stroller and quit eating so much.”
No sympathy – just told me what I knew and what I needed to hear. I took her advice. I got outside and pushed that baby so much and for so long that by the time he was 11 months old, the weight was gone plus some. And I found I didn’t want to eat so much. It’s funny but regular exercise causes your appetite to change.
I pushed that baby so much – I started running with him in tow.
When I got pregnant with Jordan, I was determined not to gain 54 pounds. I kept a log of everything I ate and I mean everything – along with every mile I ran.
With him, I gained 30 pounds and began “pushing that baby” as soon as I could. With each subsequent pregnancy, I gained less. GraceAnna ~ 25, Grant ~ 19, Jameson ~ 19. I exercised as much as each pregnancy allowed.
Over the years with young children – I either ran when Carl was home, or did aerobics when the children napped. Sometimes they would jump around with me.
Also, I ran laps around our house with the monitor on the front steps.
As I have gotten older, my weight has crept up a couple of times. It happened once in my thirties, and then again after I entered my forties. So I added distance/frequency/speed to my running and I also cross-train with aerobics. Each time the weight dropped off without dieting. It was gradual – but it came off. I did cut back on some extras.
I am determined to keep running and doing aerobics as long as God gives me a body with which to do it.
I love running – it clears my mind. The sweat feels good. I like to imagine all the stress and toxins leaving my body with every drop. I like the feel of salty skin and sticky hair. I like running in the rain. I like the thud of my feet on the ground.
I like running in the heat and I like running in the cold. I especially like breezy days.
I like hearing the birds. I like seeing the trees. I like smelling the salt air.
Running is cheap. The only expense is a good pair of shoes. I would run barefoot if I could.
I run at least an hour at least 5 days a week.
Sometimes I think about investing in a treadmill for weather issues – but on those days, I do aerobics. And most people I know (except my daughter-in-law) who purchase a treadmill – assemble it, admire it, turn it on, dust it, look at it, and finally sell it.
Running is always flexible even with the changing dynamic of family. Running is always a good option. Always. You can run while your children bicycle next to you. You can run laps while watching your children play in the yard. You can go to a park and run. You can do races with your children. Children who grow up with running parents tend to run and keep themselves fit.
You don’t have to be fast. Just get your heart rate up so that it is a true aerobic activity and sustain that pace for at least 20 minutes. If 20 minutes is too much at first, start with 2 minutes. Do a walk/run/walk/run.
When I first began running, I couldn’t go a quarter of a mile without being winded. But I kept at it – I did a walk/run.
I set goals for myself. And when I reached a mile at my target heart rate without stopping – I cannot tell you how I felt. It was my own personal competition.
But please remember – although I love running – the very best exercise for you is the one you will actually do.
With my running, I alternate with an aerobic DVD. In case you’re interested, the one I use is Jane Fonda’s challenge workout. You can find it on ebay.
Other fitness factors:
Unless pushed for time – I park in the farthest spot; that way I get in an “extra” workout. And usually time works out anyway – because you can waste a lot of time driving around in a parking lot looking for the closest spot. Save those spots for the mother with several toddlers or the truly disabled.
You’re not disabled just because you’re tired. The brisk walk will energize you anyway.
I usually take the stairs unless I can’t find them.
Generally speaking, I walk fast. I work fast. I move fast.
I tone with 5 pound weights.
As far as food:
Generally I eat what I want – but I find that I usually want the right things. I just watch my habits/patterns. Fried chicken is fine – now and then. Grilled is the best.
Eat fruit/vegetables. OK Jordan, I TRY to eat broccoli everyday.
Ice cream and cake is fine – now and then but don’t eat it everyday. I would be so skinny if it weren't for certain kinds of ice cream and now, coconut cake.
To lose weight, you have to eat less/exercise more. No tricks, no gimmicks, no fads.
Calories consumed must be less than calories expended. Period. Most people do not have a glandular problem or some hidden issue. The main issue for the overweight is eating too much and exercising too little.
To maintain weight, calories consumed must be the same as calories expended.
To gain weight, calories consumed must be more than calories expended.
Exercising with Young Children
1. Get a neighbor to watch your children while you run.
2. Invest in a good jogging stroller. If you can afford a cell phone, cable, Internet, satellite, - you can afford a good stroller.
3. Use music like The Donut Man or Kids Praise and jog in place or dance in your living room. Your children will love it!! Even a tiny baby loves to see Mama jump around in front of him. When they get older, they'll think you look dumb but who cares?
4. Purchase an aerobic DVD and do it while the children are napping or having a rest time. Or they can do it with you!
5. Go for a run when your husband gets home.
6. Trade childcare with a friend who wants to get in shape as much as you do.
7. Get outside and play tag with your children. Run sprints, do relay races, play soccer. Play Red Rover, Kick the Cans, and 1,2,3 Redlight. Playing with your children is the most fun.
8. Go for bike rides. Make the investment in a baby seat.
9. Young children love to be active. Use it to your advantage. Instead of trying to get your children to calm down all the time (or giving them meds), go outside and tire them out by actively playing with them. That will tire them down and get them ready for a quiet time in the afternoon.
10. Take lots of walks together.
It’s easy to take our health and fitness for granted when we are young -- too bad the health benefits of exercise aren’t so obvious until we age. Of course the question is not “Can I live longer?” But “Can I live better according to the ability God has given me?
Quality of life is so important. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”
Let God decide when to take away your health. Assume He wants you fit unless He determines otherwise. Don’t bury your health in the ground.
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