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On Fitness and Feeling Good

May 3, 2010 by 19 Comments

happy in the jogging stroller On Fitness and Feeling GoodI look over at my running shoes, knowing I should put them on.

How is it so incredibly hard to get started? I don’t know, but it is.

I finally convince myself – remembering all of my reasons.

I put on my sports bra. I pull back my hair. I gather shoes and sweaters and snacks for the girls.

athletic mom On Fitness and Feeling GoodTim pushes the double jogger into the gusty gales. At first, we talk. Then, we are silent as I suck in air and catch my breath.

Finally, with my heart pounding, I say, “I am so impressed that you are pushing that stroller against the wind.” He replies with a sly – but handsome – smile, “It isn’t that hard to push it when I’m running at your pace.” Yes, he DID say that.

feeling good after a run On Fitness and Feeling GoodWe keep running – probably about 1.5 miles.

Afterward, I feel good. My muscles are loose. My heart is happy.

I don’t ever want to forget how it feels to be healthy.

P.S. Note my “crawl-away” baby in the picture to the left. Right after Tim snapped that photo, I turned around and snatched her up because – seriously – sometimes people drive crazy fast through our neighborhood.

How do you stay fit? Do you exercise solo or with your family/friends?

Filed Under: Fitness, Running Mamas Tagged With:
  • Eva – Random Research Girl

    oh it’s so hard to get started! I am still procrastinating… :(

  • http://crazydogslife.blogspot.com Blessed

    I’m not fit, sigh. But I’ve been working on it… eating better has been a good first step for me. Also I take the kids out and walk. Today I didn’t wear good shoes for that walk and I can tell… my legs hurt! Ah well, they had fun and tomorrow is another day to try again (with the right footwear, no errand running followed by the walk, have to go home first!)
    - Jenn

  • Michele

    During the week I’m solo on our treadmill. On the weekends its as a family outside.

  • http://babystam.blogspot.com Renee

    You guys are so cute!!! For us it’s a family thing, we love doing it together and what’s better then getting kids involved so they learn from seeing, and hopefully will be doing in the future!!!

  • Erica

    I work out in the house. Sometimes it’s videos I get through Netflix, other times it’s the wii fit or some other exercise game on the wii, and other times it’s just my own workouts (jumping jacks, running in place, pushups, situps, leg lifts, etc). I often work out on my own after the girls are in bed, but sometimes I do it in the afternoons and the girls do it next to me for a few minutes until they just feel like watching instead. We also go for walks around the neighborhood together, gathering rocks and exploring on the way.

  • http://ourlittlemiracle.blogspot.com Lisa at Heaven Sent

    Before I found out I was pregnant, my mom and I took cardio and strength classes together at the park district. I LOVE that she is so active now, and I aspire to do the same. Working it out is a stress relief for me, and I really miss it right now.

    I was doing prenatal yoga at home for a while, but I stopped once we found out about Brooklyn because I got nervous about doing any damage. I know it’s silly, but for some reason, I am nervous to start up again.

    I know once she is born, I will have to find time to work out again. As you said, it keeps my body and soul happy. I am actually looking forward to it!

  • http://www.safehomehappymom.com Blessing

    I need to start running…hahaha. Thanks for the reminder. I barely have the time though.

  • http://mybusychildren.com/ Marina

    Stephanie: your fitness posts are really motivating. I am going to go for a run today. Thank you

  • http://vicariouschelsea.com chelsea

    I try to run, but lately have not been able to find the time! I love that your whole family can go out together. My husband doesn’t run and I am just not strong enough to push the double stroller while running.
    Hilarious comment by your husband, btw!!!
    We do enjoy family walks where my 3yo runs ahead (she knows to stop at each mailbox… and a bonus is that she practices numbers by identifying the ones on the box). She loves to “go running like mommy,” which makes my heart so happy!
    Oh and I hate how fast people drive in neighborhoods. Makes me want to shake my fist at them!

  • Sarah R

    We stay fit by going on family walks after my husband gets home from work. I also do some workout dvds in the home. My son isn’t a great napper, so sometimes I have to do them when he’s awake and in the room with me. He seems to enjoy playing next to me while I’m working out, and I hope I’m setting a good example for him. My new favorite workout is Physique 57. Also, once a week I take a Zumba class which is so much fun, I don’t even feel like I’m working out!

  • http://blog.suchthespot.com/ Darcie – Such The Spot

    Lacing up the running shoes is, quite possibly, the hardest part of the workout. On second thought, nah, that’s not true. It is hard to get motivated though. And we are wimpy and skip the running when those winds kick up.

    That said, you look quite trim in that photo. Seems like the running is working out well for you!

  • http://keepingupwiththejohnson5.blogspot.com/ kris

    I do a combo of both. I like to go walking with the girls on nice days. Sometimes the girls like to play “aerobics” when I’m doing excercises.

    And we all love the wiiFit! :D

  • http://www.lettners.blogspot.com Nini Lettner

    You are so inspiring! I like to exercise. Okay…well I like the way I feel after I exercise. Like you said…getting started is the hard part sometimes. I have been so motivated lately yet I feel so defeated. I started the Couch to 5k program…which I can do, but wanted to give myself some boundaries and pace myself so I didn’t burn out…but alas…I have a horrible case of shin splints. I was SO frustrated! I have the drive, the desire, the energy, and the lung power…just not the legs to do it. Lately I feel like everything is against me getting in shape. Sounds silly I know, but that is how I have felt. I so want to be in better shape. I am eating well, making good choices, trying to move my body, but it just isn’t working right now! I am not ready to give up and say, “I am just not meant to be a runner!”. Just need these shins to get better and start again!

    The best thing about being active is that my kids want to be active as well. They love to exercise with me and they know it is important for their bodies to exercise and eat well. I also love that you are teaching your kids that too! You have inspired me in so many ways!

  • http://ourcrazyboys.com Becca – Our Crazy Boys

    Adorable pictures. And you are lucky to have such a wonderful (and funny) running partner :)

  • http://starvingstudentsurvivor.blogspot.com/ Joanna @ Starving Student Survivor

    You’re so right in that it feels awesome once you’re finished. Also true that it’s such a blessing to be healthy!

  • Melissa Parlaman (Graco Contributor)

    Awesome! I started my workout routine about a month ago & still get sore when i try a new exercise (i did yoga for the first time on monday & am still hurting). who knew yoga could be painful? i guess if you are out of shape?? ;(

  • Janelle @ Love Letters To Jesus

    Have you ever read born to run? And seen the running “shoes” mentioned in it? They are like gloves for your feet, if you will, and are supposed to be much easier on your body when you run. Really interesting to look at… http://borntorun.org/

    Your Friend,
    Janelle {Nell}

  • http://www.musingsofahousewife.com Musings of a Housewife

    Ugh. I’m sitting here, IN my running clothes, and I’ve missed my window. It’s time to hop in the shower and meet a friend at the farm market. I should have run. It’s been 4 days. I feel the motivation seeping out of me. I’m up a few pounds. I feel groggy. How do I get it back, that joy of fitness? This seems to always happen to me — I go great guns for a while, months even, and then I slowly lose steam. I know the answer is JUST DO IT. But again, another morning has slipped away, and the window is gone. There are so few windows of opportunity and it’s so easy to let myself get caught up in whatever else I’m doing. Maybe tomorrow…

  • http://inevergrewup.net/ Vanessa

    The doctor says I cannot run anymore. BUT I am going to take up biking. It feels so good to be healthy :) I have been stealing my hubby’s bike to go out, it works OK I need to start doing it more. So far so good and no problems :)