Tuesday, April 21, 2009

My Hectic Life!

I was hoping to be more consistent in my posting, but the past few weeks have been rather hectic. Without really looking for one, I ended up getting a part time job! So far I love it! I work the same hours my kids are in preschool so I'm home early enough to have a full day to do other things. The down side to that is I no longer have time with only 1 child to run errands and such, but we're managing! The biggest (and most positive) change my working has had on us is the implementation of a routine! I am up every morning at 7. My kids are now waking earlier and so getting to bed easier and more consistently at their "regular" bedtime. My youngest who never napped before (unless I wanted her up till midnight) now comes home from school and naps...yet she still goes to bed at night. I only work 3 hours a day, and yet the changes those 3 hours a day made in our schedules has been tremendous. I obviously need structure because I've tried to get myself in a routine for the entire 5 years I've been a stay at home mom and couldn't achieve it until now!

The job is teaching preschool at the 2 and 3 year old level. The huge upside to that is that it's a highly physical job. Constant lifting, running, playing with the kids...hell even being on my feet standing still is a big improvement from the couch I would be sitting in right! And now that we have started a routine, I can start figuring out where to include time to exercise and even just to do other things for myself (like showering).

Since the job was kind of a surprise, it came at a very hectic time. In between nursing my husband back to health after knee surgery (and picking up his share of the housework), planning 2 birthday parties, Easter and a few other obligations I had I just fit this job into the middle of it all. It's only been 3 weeks and I'm still playing catch up on house work since my husband's surgery, but I am slowly getting a handle on everything. I thought I'd just be exhausted getting up early and working with the kids all morning. The opposite seems to be the case though. Since I'm up and moving, I find that I am motivated to do more than I used to. Next step is to add consistent exercise time in the day.

Sorry this post is so long and rambly! I plan to post more often and organized posts! The blogging is definitely a helpful part of dealing with everything.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

My Big Fat Mii!

As promised I opened and tried my Wii Fit this weekend. It was awesome! I wasn't too thrilled to see my little Mii turn fat after I entered my stats and stuff, but I have to say she did look more like me after that!

The first thing I tried was the yoga. I love yoga, but am generally not too good at anything requiring balance! One of my goals has always been to be able to stand in tree pose without falling over! I found it very helpful to see where my center of balance was while trying to hold the position. Hopefully now I will be able to master it!

The strength training was hard. Not due to complexity, but because I am very weak. I have not challenged my muscles in ages and so to do even a modified push up was difficult. I am not going to give up on the strength. Another great part about the Wii Fit is it allows you to track activity you do outside your Wii Fit session. So if I wanted to use some free weights to help tone my arms before I get really into the strength training I can do that and keep track. I can have my own fitness journal online!

The last thing I did was a couple of aerobic exercises. I had to step in rhythm which was harder than it sounds (unless of course you are more coordinated than me!) I was real good at the hula hoop though! That was a lot of fun. It was funny to have the Mii my mother in law created throwing hula hoops at me! Last but not least was jogging in place. I generally don't care for that activity too much, but it was better doing it this way. I ran with my whole family of Miis and there is someone in front to pace you. It kept me engaged as I moved.

The next day I was SORE! So after all that fun, I know it was working. I'm sure I stimulated musculed that haven't been used in years! I am definitely going to add my Wii Fit to my daily routine (now if only they can come up with a Wii game to get me organized!)