Push!

Today I had an epiphany!

Let me start from the beginning...

As one of the life style changes I've made this week, instead of driving my daughter to school I've been walking her to the bus stop (it's a 0.9 miles there and 0.9 miles back) I figured an nearly 2 mile walk twice a day 5 days a week is a guarantee of [1.8 miles*5=9 miles a week] 9 miles of walking per week and 45 min of cardio per day. Today I realized that after walking 9 miles in 5 days I wasn't sore, not even the slightest. So this was ok exercise for me but it wasn't GREAT exercise! 9 miles at 4 miles per hour (brisk walk) is only 941 calories (two meals worth of calories). 

calculation based off Fitness Pal

Here's what I realized, I want extraordinary results. Walking 1.8 miles a day is improvement from no activity [haha] but I wasn't pushing myself. So, after I dropped Nadine off at the bus stop and watched her ride away Noah and I went on a stroll. We walked 4 miles, came home had lunch and then I did my Weight Watcher's exercise "Punch it out" video [30 minutes]. All in all I burned my 900 calories in one day instead of 5! And it only took me an extra hour and a half from my day. 

Active kids means I'm going to be an active mom!

I heard from a friend once that "we lose weight to look good in our clothes, but we work out to look good naked." 

Not every day has to be a vigorous work out, and you shouldn't work out so hard to where you don't want to work out again for days. But you can accomplish this by PUSHING yourself 3-5 days a week to walk the extra steps.

Simple ways to increase your steps:

• Park the farthest spot away from the store.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Take the kids or your pet out for a walk.
• Pace around while you talk on the phone.
• Walk around the block when you go to get the mail.

What are tips and tricks you have for getting in EXTRAordinary exercise?