By Contributing Author, Running Girl of Kay Nou = Our House
I’ll be honest here, there’s been a lot of death going on around these here parts. Too much for my comfort. Friends, acquaintances, relatives, checking out entirely too soon. Several have been completely unexpected. Without warning, hearts stopping for no apparent reason.
Completely unexpected? Without warning? Really?
I’m here to warn you. I’m here to tell you that you absolutely need to make time for yourself. Preferably every day. If not every day, how about five days a week? You know what I’m going to say. This time for yourself involves breaking a sweat.
Yes indeed, you need to exercise. You do. No excuses. We all have those excuses ready in our back pocket. I have excuses too. I am a die hard, long distance runner. I love running. It is my passion. I carve the time out every day, and yet nearly every day I come up with excuses about why I don’t want to run. I rarely give in to these excuses. As dorky as it sounds, I follow the Nike philosophy of “Just Do It”. I don’t allow myself to buy into the excuses at all. I get out every day and get some form of exercise.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to do the same:
1. You will feel better after. Even on days when I am not feeling well, I always feel a bit better after exercising. Even if it’s only a teeny bit better, I do feel better. Thankfully, I usually feel much better. When I feel better, I parent better.
2. Exercise has major health benefits. We’re talking about heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, some forms of cancer and depression. Whatever your ailments, chances are exercise will combat your issues.
3. Exercise is fun. The trick is to find what form of exercise floats your boat. The list is endless: walking, running, biking, skiing, skateboarding, swimming, hoola hooping, aerobics, yoga, pilates, zumba, kayaking, dancing, etc. If you enjoy it, you are more likely to stick with it.
4. Exercise is good for your libido. Seriously. Exercise gives you energy and makes you feel better about yourself. When you exercise and take care of yourself you will be more interested in “slipping into something more comfortable”.
5. Exercise is your own special time. It can be alone time or friend time. Some people like to exercise on their own. What parent doesn’t crave time on their own? Here’s your chance. Claim it. Other people prefer to exercise with a friend. Go for it! Make a date and stick to it. You’re probably more likely to keep an exercise date when you know you have a friend waiting to meet you.
6. You are setting a good example for your children. Our kids want to be just like us. Let’s set them up for success! Look back to number 3. Remember that exercise is fun.
7. Exercise relieves stress. Get those endorphins going. There is nothing like it. Don’t take my word for it.
8. Exercise gives you energy. When you get your workout in, you will have more energy during the day. How many times do we look at our kids and wish we could bottle their energy? Here’s how: exercise.
9. Exercise helps you to sleep better. Nutrition, exercise and sleep are all tied together. Choose healthy foods, break a sweat every day and you will sleep better at night. Please, don’t let the fact that your babies might be getting you up at night keep you from exercising. You won’t be more tired from exercising. You will have more energy when you exercise.
10. YOU WILL LIVE LONGER! Come on, parents! We want to be there for our boys. I know you do, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this blog. Get out there and do it.
We want to be the ones to raise our boys. Take time for yourself. Get your heart pumping every day. You will be a better parent because of it.
Running Girl is the mother of 3, a wife, music teacher and long distance enthusiasts who lives in Western New York. Please visit her blog at kaynou.wordpress.com
Photo of woman exercising by lululemon athletica, found on Flickr
