5 minute workout and more

Ever since the doctor said "high cholesterol" (I blame my genetics!) and "exercise is your best medicine," I've been trying a bit harder to make exercise a more normal part of my routine. Unfortunately though, I've never been one who loves to exercise. I love taking walks with friends, or getting outside for a leisurely hike or bike ride on a nice day. But intense exercise? Yuck. Don't get me wrong, I feel great when I'm done! But getting myself motivated to start is always difficult. Had God designed me to be an athlete, things might be different, but the reality is that me and sports have never mixed well. Growing up, my feeble attempts at T-ball, soccer, skiing, gymnastics, and basketball were all short-lived. I tried hard to make my dad (and grand-dad) proud in the sports department (Dad spent many nights shooting hoops with me after dinner), but thankfully they both came around to realize that God gifted me in other ways. It may not have been quite as thrilling for them to watch the school play or spring concert, but I know they were/are proud of my musical ability and creativity.

If only I could burn enough calories singing or crafting! I would be set! Instead, I've had to come up with other fun ways to get some exercise. I made it a goal to work out 3 times a week, getting my heart rate up for at least 30 minutes. While simply going for a run was doing the trick for a while in college, I've found that it may not be best for me now. It's difficult to get home from work with enough daylight left to run, not to mention the cold temperatures and snow covered sidewalks! So, here's what has been (mostly) working for me lately. Thank goodness for some new options!

1. My sister-in-law introduced me to Mandy's Underground Fitness. Since a gym membership is out of the question for us financially, Mandy's is a great alternative. Mandy leads several work out classes a week in her parents' basement (though will soon have her own space!) for women of all ages. With prices as low as $8 a class (even cheaper if you commit to many classes), it is a great way to exercise with other people. Mandy brings such positive energy and new ideas to each work out, so it's never dull! We work hard and laugh a lot. I only wish she was located closer to my house so I could go more often. I've been going to one of Mandy's classes per week. What I love most is that I'm more motivated to push myself while there because I'm encouraged by others. Going to Mandy's is by far my most intense, but also most enjoyable, workout of the week. Though often sore the next day, it's totally worth it!

2. Since I am more likely to actually exercise if I plan to do so with someone else, I try to schedule a work out with a friend each week as well. Sometimes this is a walk with mom on the weekends (don't worry, walking with mom is no leisurely deal -- I am always trying to keep up with her long legs!). But for week day workouts, I am very grateful for a new friend who lives just a few blocks away! We can quickly meet up for a walk/run around our neighborhood, or on rainy and cold days, we've opted for going to one place or another to do a work out video together. I love that I am distracted by our conversation so the work out seems to go faster! And when all else fails, sometimes I even convince my ultra-athletic husband to go for a slow jog with me. This is always a last resort because he usually tries to get me to run farther than I do on my own!

3. The previous options take care of 2 work outs in a week, but then there's that third one that I try so hard to squeeze in, but doesn't always happen. Why not? Well, because I end up doing it on my own. Normally, I enjoy "Jenna time" but not when it means working out alone. I am always waiting for this one to be over. When I do muster up enough energy to make it happen, it usually means a quick run/walk on the streets around my house or a work out video in my living room. (Sorry to my downstairs neighbors for my jumping around!). But like I said, this is the first workout to go during a busy week. 

4. I know I shouldn't make excuses for my lack of exercise, but in the hurried pace of life that defines North Jersey, it's so hard not to. For days when my busyness gets the best of me, there's always the 5 minute workout. A group of teachers at school got to talking about exercise during lunch one day, and many of them shared similar feelings about wanting to work out but not being able to find the time. My co-2nd grade-teacher (famous for her brilliant ideas) then shared what she heard on the Dr. Oz show not too long ago -- and the 5 minute workout club began. Since then, a few of us have been bringing our sneakers to school, and spending 5 minutes together after 3:00 dismissal. In our dress clothes and sneakers, we complete 5 moves, each for one minute. You wouldn't guess it, but we can totally break a sweat in just 5 minutes. Of course there are days when we need to rush out to meetings or appointments, so we are not as consistent as we set out to be. But, there are often at least 3 of us who motivate each other to squeeze in a short work out before heading home for the day. We figure 5 minutes of exercise is better than none at all! Thank goodness for our PE teacher who faithfully asks every day who is up for a few minutes of exercise! It's hard to say no to her!

I may not stick to my exercise plan as strictly as I should, but I am happy to report that the addition of these work out options has helped lower my cholesterol and made me enjoy exercising at least a little bit more. I guess the key to exercise for me is having others to hold me accountable!