Workout Mommy » questions

What does exercise mean to you?

workoutmommy — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:47:55 +0000

My boys are in constant motion. Seriously, they never.stop.moving.

This is why we still have a trampoline in our family room. Friends come over and laugh at it but it honestly gets more use more than our couch! (with the exception of the husband who really enjoys said couch)

Anyway, I decided to ask the boys what exercise means to them. (click through your reader to see the video)
And then had them add a shameless plug at the end.

Kids think exercise is FUN. They love to bounce on this trampoline or run around or jump rope or dance or run around….you get the point. It’s never boring to them and it’s just PART OF THEIR DAY.

So my question to you is –-how do you get the FUN back into your fitness and make it just part of YOUR day?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCEA0p0wiLk

Never underestimate the power of a workout gang!

PE in schools?

workoutmommy — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:15:08 +0000

How often do your kids have PE and/or recess? and what do they do when it rains?

Back when I was a kid, I vaguely remember we played some indoor games on days we couldn’t go outside during recess. It was in our regular classroom and I think it involved pipe cleaners. (I’m old, cut me some slack.) My thought now is ”THAT POOR TEACHER!”

Now that I am the parent of 3 kids that need to be outside for some period of time each day, I empathize for that poor woman who was trapped inside with a bunch of hyped up kids on a rainy day. Kids (and moms too) need time outside to run, climb, play and scream.

Thankfully my kids go to a school where exercise and outdoor activity is part of the daily routine. On days when it is raining, they stay inside and do yoga on their yoga mats. No pipe cleaners or busy work for them! :)

What about your kids?

Fess up

workoutmommy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:01:08 +0000

It’s that time again. What do you need to confess this week? Comment on here and you are absolved! Me? I had Toll House cookies for breakfast the other morning. They were delicious. What about you? copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission. Fess up

Hallux Rigidus: your questions answered

workoutmommy — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:26:01 +0000

I get so many emails with questions about the foot surgery (cheilectomy) I had last year for my Hallux Rigidus that I decided to do an FAQ post. If you know of anyone that has this issue and/or pain, please direct them here!

1. What were your symptoms?

I started to feel mild pain in my big toe after I would go for long runs. At first I thought this was a result of my shoes not fitting correctly. I realized something was seriously wrong when my then 2 year old son would step on my foot and the pain was so bad I would scream. I went to a podiatrist who diagnosed it as Hallux Rigidus, which is sometimes referred to as “turf toe”. A bone spur had grown across the top of my big toe joint, making it difficult to bend the toe.

2. Did you try orthotics?

Before surgery, no, I did not have orthotics. By the time my condition was diagnosed, it was too late for orthotics to make any difference. The bone spur was already too big and causing pain. Now I have orthotics and I need to wear them all the time for comfort. If I am not wearing my shoes with orthotics, I only wear my shoes from Kurufootwear.com. They are designed for people with foot issues and worth every penny!

3. What exactly did you have done?

I had a basic Cheilectomy. The doctor opened up my foot and removed the bone spur that was on top of my toe joint. I did not need any fusing of bones or metal rods inserted in my foot. (I did however wake up during surgery. Ugh!)

4. What kind of doctor did you go to?

For the actual surgery, I went to an Orthopedist, based on a referral. After the procedure, I switched to a Podiatrist for a follow up care. He was disappointed with the location of my incision, telling me that it was made over several key nerves in my foot. (which might be why I was still in so much pain.) Again, my advice is to research your doctor as much as possible.

5. How long was your recovery?

This is a tough one. I was mistakenly told I would be back running within a few weeks. This was NOT the case. It was at least six months before I felt okay enough to run on it again. I went to a chiropractor to help break up the scar tissue that was causing so much pain. Research your doctor and make sure you are both on the same page for your recovery plans. My doctor was used to treating older patients so his objective was to get the patient up and moving again. My objective was to be up and RUNNING again, not just moving.

6. Can you wear high heels now?

This question always makes me giggle. I’m not sure! I don’t own any high heels because I’ve never liked wearing them.

7. How is your foot now?

Sadly, it is still in pain. Not even just with running. If I walk for an extended period of time, it starts to throb. If I do impact exercises (like jumping rope, jumping jacks, etc.) for too long, it aches for hours afterward. Even doing a simple lunge (where your toe has to bend and bear most of your body weight), hurts.

I hate to type this, but my foot will never be the same. It it very unlikely that I will ever run another marathon.

I cannot stress enough how IMPORTANT your feet are! Take care of them! Don’t go cheap when it comes to shoes, treat your feet to the very best shoe possible!

Hopefully I answered your question about Hallux Rigidus but if not, please feel free to contact me. And if you have had surgery, please leave a comment below and let us know how it went or how you are doing now.

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Hallux Rigidus: your questions answered

Asics, New Balance, or what? Help!

workoutmommy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:42:30 +0000

I need new running shoes, can you help?

I used to be a huge Asics fan until foot surgery sidelined me for awhile. After I recovered they just didn’t feel right anymore. They didn’t have much cushion and seemed “heavy” so I switched to Saucony.

I loved the Triumph 5s which I wore during my recent pregnancy. I bought a new pair (which are now the Triumph 6s) for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon and I have grown to hate them. They are uncomfy and almost too tight on my feet. Did the shoe change that much or just my feet? Who knows.

I got a pair of New Balance walking shoes at Fitbloggin which are very comfy and roomy. I haven’t branched out to their running shoes yet. Are they they same?

When I posted this question on my Facebook fan page (are you a fan yet?), it seemed like everyone agreed that Nike’s are NOT a favorite. Interesting considering I think they are the leading brand of shoes when it comes to running.

Okay, maybe I’m making that up but I was surprised that so many people have told me they don’t like Nikes. (In fact, I have never met a person who DOES like Nike as a running shoe!)

So please help me out if you can. Recommend a shoe that is roomy for my poor decrepit feet.

As you can see, I don’t want to spend another $100+ on more shoes that just don’t measure up!

PS: if you are looking for a regular everyday comfy shoe, you must check out Kuru Footwear. I LOVE mine! They are a small company that just welcomed their first child, so I’m sure they could use your support. Your feet won’t be disappointed! (no, they didn’t pay me to say that. I really love them!)

Sleep deprivation is cruel torture

workoutmommy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:54:29 +0000

Research has proven the chronic sleep deprivation does terrible things to your mind and body. According to WebMD, it may lead to:

Memory problems:
forget what day it is? (check) forget where the keys are? (check) have trouble concentrating when I am driving? (check!)
Depression:
no explanation needed here—I am definitely down in the dumps right now.
A weakening of the immune system, increasing your chance of becoming sick:
fortunately this has not happened to me yet. (fingers crossed!)
and weight gain:
People who sleep less appear to generate more ghrelin, a hormone which stimulates hunger. Research on subjects reported an increased craving for food, especially fats and starchy foods, after simulated sleep deprivation.
Check again! I definitely crave sugary foods to help keep me alert and awake. Unfortunately, it just makes things worse when I come down from my sugar high.

Right now I’m averaging about 4 non-consecutive hours of sleep per night and I’m starting to wonder how I am going to survive. Honestly, the furthest thing from my mind is working out, even though I so desperately need it. (I still have 25 post-baby pounds hanging on. UGH!)

All I want to do is crawl in my bed for a week and sleep. Unfortunately, that is not an option.

So gang, how do you survive when you are sleep deprived? Should I just load up my fridge with caffeinated drinks and hope I make it ’til the spring? (anyone want to come and watch my kids so I can take a nap?)

photo credit: BillRhodesPhoto

Bikini Bodies:where are the men?

workoutmommy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:41:09 +0000

Melissa Joan Hart lost 42 pounds after the birth of her second son.

She did it by eating right and exercise and although she looks fantastic, I am so tired of the female “bikini body” stories!

Where are the cover stories of the men who have transformed their bodies—-in the opposite direction?

Like Val Kilmer?

or Russell Crowe?

or Matt Damon?

I’d like to see their transformation stories highlighted but oh yeah, they don’t have one. They have gotten older, had some kids, and spread out a bit. How come no one follows them around with a camera highlighting their every bite?

I used to enjoy reading the success stories but I just can’t take it anymore. Anyone else feel the same way?

(and don’t even get me started on the FEMALE stars that make the “Bikini Body” cover only to regain some weight a few years later!)

Rebecca Romijn’s breastfeeding diet

workoutmommy — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:42:03 +0000

Rebecca Romijn gave birth to twins in December and says she gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy. Thanks to breastfeeding, she says:

“I think within the first three weeks, I took off like 35 pounds without doing anything! Breastfeeding is the very best diet I’ve been on. It’s amazing. It’s like you have to eat 5,000 extra calories a day or you can’t produce enough food for them. So, that’s been fun as well.”

Now, I’ve never breastfed twins, but I can tell you that the weight did not magically drop off my body as she is claiming!

I remember that shortly before I had my first son, I told my friend that I was definitely breastfeeding because I heard it was the secret to postpartum weight loss. Apparently, my body did not get that message. I’m one of those lucky women who (I think) has a body that actually hangs on to ~~a few~~ several extra pounds as long as I’m breastfeeding.

Lucky me, right?

For some reason, these stories about the weight loss powers of breastfeeding really irritate me. I want one of them to step forward and scream “it’s not magic! It doesn’t work for everyone!”

So if you are newly pregnant or about to give birth, please keep that thought in mind. Breastfeeding does NOT a diet make!

How about you? Anyone else have an issue with extra poundage while breastfeeding? (or am I alone and going crazy, which is also entirely possible!)

Picture source: People

Confession time

workoutmommy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:58:57 +0000

You’ve probably visited the sites True Mom Confessions or True Dad Confessions, where you can “confess” anonymously anything that might be on your mind.

Some of them are a little disturbing, but for the most part I can relate to many of the “confessions”.

So today I thought it would be to play “I fell off the fitness/health wagon confessions“.

I’ll go first:

Today I bought some cookies to give my kids and ended up eating the entire bag myself. To make it even worse, I didn’t even attempt to workout the entire day.

Yes, it has been one of those kind of days around here.

How about you? What is your “confession”?
photo credit: kusine

Weekend question

workoutmommy — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:12:23 +0000

Are you having an ACTIVE weekend?