I am one of those people who does best at sticking to my goals when other people know what they are. The positive peer pressure motivates me. That is why I emailed some friends and family about a new goal. Several have responded and some are even going to join me. I’m so excited that I want to share my goal here.
I am giving my children the gift of a healthier mother in 2013 one step at a time. I will be walking one mile per week for each of my children, including the sweet baby I’m growing in my womb. That is 8 miles a week or 416 miles for the year. I will be participating in the 5K Walk and Roll for Spina Bifida this fall in my area too! In case you don’t know, a 5 K is 3.1 miles.
Now, before you think I’m crazy to walk 8 miles a week let me break it down for you. It is really easy, even for a pregnant mom of seven. I will not be walking on Sundays which leaves 6 days of walking each week. I will do:
- Four 1 mile walk days.
- Two 2 mile walk days.
That’s it! A one mile walk takes about 15 minutes or 2000 steps. In 15 to 30 minutes a day I will easily reach my goal. Totally doable!
My walking for the winter will be at home. I just don’t enjoy walking in the cold and snow! I own several of Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds DVDs and love them. As spring and summer arrive some of my walks will move outdoors with my children, but for now DVD’s are my best friends! The other perk is my children can even join me with the DVDs, these are not complicated dance routines. Four basic steps are all you need to learn.
Here are the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs I own, with my thoughts on each one. I’ll also note the current price on Amazon in case you’re interested, and that is where the links take you:
Walk Away the Pounds ($14.99)– This has 3 workouts on it and is my favorite old standby! Years ago my mom bought these on VHS and she, my sister, and I all loved them. We wore out the tapes and I can probably quote them in my sleep. The workouts are a 1 Mile Get Up and Get Started, 2 Mile High Calorie Burn, and 3 Mile Super Fat Burning. A portion of each workout has you using light weights in your hands while you walk. Totally optional (and I don’t use them if you were wondering). This is the set I would recommend for any beginner. It really does start out gentle with the 1 mile walk but gives you the other two workouts for increasing difficulty as you are ready. These also have at least one cast member in each workout doing modified moves to make it even easier on joints and muscles for starting out. 
Walk at Home - 5 Mile Fat Burning Walk ($8.99)- This one is great in one mile increments but too hard for this pregnant woman if I try more than 2 miles. Each mile in this dvd features a 2 minute ‘boosted walking’ section. That is her nice way of saying jogging. Yuck! Because of the boosted walking I would not recommend these unless you’re a regular exerciser. You do have the option to choose how many miles to do, up to the 5 miles, which is nice. Each mile is a bit faster due to the boosted walking, around 12 or 13 minutes instead of 15.
Walk Slim: 4 Fast Miles ($9.99)– This DVD was given to me a while back and I really haven’t used it much. The reason is simple – it includes boosted walking (jogging). I don’t enjoy the boosted walking, especially pregnant. Still, it is the typical Leslie DVD with 4 miles of workout, warm up, and cool down. One nice thing is she does have some of the walkers showing modified moves, which helps during the boosted walking especially. 
Ultimate 5 Day Walk Plan ($7.99)– This is my newest Leslie Sansone DVD. It is set up with 5 days of workouts that are a walk plus a short (5 minute) strength session with a different muscle focus. The days are set up as follows:
Monday - 3 Mile Walk + Ab Session
Tuesday - 4 Mile Walk + Arm Session
Wednesday - 1 Mile Walk + Leg Session
Thursday - 2 Mile Walk + Chest & Back Session
Friday - 5 Mile Walk + Full Body Stretch
This DVD gives you the option to create your own workout mix. Choose any of the 5 miles in any order and combination (they are color coded), add in any strength sessions you want, and get going. I will use this option most of the time so I can stick to 1-2 mile walks but use the full variety of 5 different miles. I really like this DVD too!
What amazing things will you do in 2013? I would love to hear all about your ideas in the comments.
4 comments:
Funny, I was thinking that I'd be working off the 45lbs left from having the baby as my big goal for 2013. Even if I don't get rid of the whole amount hanging around, it is a great example to set for my children. I have plans to get out my Jillian Michaels DVDs for my foundation, and mix in a couple other workouts I have.
Hope we both find success in our goals for our health in 2013.
Hats off to you, it is going to be hard but so rewarding! Best of luck in the new year to you, the new baby, older babies and your whole family :)
On our side, the resolution I made for all of us - hubby is not head over heels about it, but getting used to it - is to strive for nutritional excellence. Basically aiming for 90% of calories from fruit, veggies and legumes, some fish and chicken but out with flour, sugars, farmed meats etc. Not easy but so worth it! I'll write a blog post about it soon.
Hugs and happy new year!
I'm working on our new schedule for 2013. I'm incorporating 30 minutes of exercise for me AND the kids together. I desperately need to lose weight, but I also want to teach the kids to be more fit as well.
On a side note, it's hard to believe it's almost 2013!
Love your plan! It's doable. And blessing your kids with a healthy mom is inspiring. I will be walking for 7 kids, 2 DIL, and 2 grandkids. Starting slow after surgery with 1/2 miles then working up. Thanks for sharing.
Preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com
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