Too Busy for Exercise?
by Jamie

I wonder how many homeschooling mothers actively engage in daily exercise, healthy eating, and having a positive outlook about themselves? I estimate that the majority view themselves as "too busy" or "just fine" - if they aren’t overweight. Recently, it has been my focus to research and put together information on how busy homeschoolers can easily restructure their lives to maintain a healthy and positive lifestyle.
Yet, I was in the same "just fine" predicament a few short years ago. I had the mentality that I wasn’t overweight so I didn’t have to exercise. Oh, how wrong I was! Everyone needs to exercise and eat healthy even if they are very thin. I was on baby number two when I noticed that I had a problem. My heart would race at random times, and during the episode I would experience dizziness and weakness and couldn’t breathe. Doctors told me there was an abnormality, but they never could diagnose it. Eventually, I came across another mother that had the same experience. It has some horrible foreign language title for whatever this is, but to make a long story short – People that have this happen to them are at a higher risk for stroke and heart disease. There really isn’t any drugs that can correct it, but healthy eating and exercise will help. I was not overweight – I couldn’t believe this had happened to me!
I immediately began incorporating exercise into my daily schedule. It works best for me if I wake up, have my quiet time, and then exercise. If I do this before the kids get going, I usually can stay on top of my day. Although I try to incorporate other activities into our homeschool schedule and often go on bike rides with the children to incorporate family fitness. I had to start out slow and make very gradual changes, and have come a long way in acquiring a functional strength. It wasn’t easy, but I feel healthy and have a positive outlook on my appearance. I also do NOT have any of those heart racing incidents… UNLESS I go without exercise for several days.
Busy moms, don’t think you can go without exercise – even if you think you “look” fine. Regular exercise for women reduces the risk of many diseases that plague women including osteoporosis and heart disease. It is always tough to start something new and challenging, but you can do it! Start slow... walk a bit each day. Then build to other types of exercises. Once you've done something 5 times, you are on your way to a "habit."
Of course, the sister to exercise is eating healthy… but that’s a post for another day.