Dear Mom Exercise

Dear Mom Exercise

Everyone says “I need to exercise more.” I am no exception. When my daughter was born and I made the decision to be a full time stay at home dad, one of the things I decided to do was have a regular exercise regimen. I started and stopped many times over the next few years but nothing ever really stuck. I kept remembering the adage that if you can do something for 30 days it becomes a habit. Well so much for that adage, I tried that many times but it did not stick.

Then, about 6 months before my daughters 5th birthday a friend talked me into trying a program called “Couch to 5K.” There are many versions of it on the internet if you want to look it up. At first I was doubtful but it laid out a program to start easy then over about 12 weeks run three miles without stopping. It worked. 16 weeks later I was running three miles in thirty minutes. I would like to say that I was able to stop taking Advil after the first few weeks but it did end up putting me on a daily Advil dose that had the added benefit of reminding me to take my vitamins every day. So, really that was good too. As of this writing I run at least three miles at least 3 times a week.

I also have added in other exercise. I started a program to do 40 pushups without stopping and now do 40 push ups in my first set and up to 75 –100 total three times a week as a warm-up to my run. Then I added in sit-ups.

The first time I started sit-ups I had this idea I would do 100 situps. 10 sets of 10 one minute apart. I would then take off 5 seconds every 2 or 3 days till I was at 100. Problem was three days after I did my first 100 I sat on the sit-board and as I started to do the first sit-up I rolled off in excruciating pain. I had learned my lesson. I waited for my stomach muscles to heal, about two weeks, then started a softer regimen. I am up to my 100 sit-ups now and it causes no pain.

Now that I have met all my original goals I am contemplating more. Should I work up to 6 miles in 60 minutes? Work up to 100 pushups without stopping? I mostly consider the time investment. I believe I am on a healthy regimen that takes me about an hour to complete. If I invest more time I can get better results but I may be satisfied with just being healthier and the one hour investment. Time will tell, I suppose if I went up to 90 minutes it would not kill me but that is 30 more minutes I don’t have to do something else.

Everyone needs to find their own motivation to exercise. For me it was knowing it was good for me, knowing it would allow me to live longer and spend more time with my family, knowing it was setting a good example for my daughter, and realizing it was a physical manifestation of self-discpline.

In the case of regular exercise the road you take is not near as important as finding a way to your destination. And in this case make sure the scenic route does not take you too long.

Love Mike