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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Does Running Around Count? Three Ways to Start Working Out in 2009

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by Amy Campbell Smith (Mommy Track'd: Around the Watercooler)

A new year is about to dawn and we all know what that means. Resolutions!

For most people this involves list making. The enumeration of things to resolve; formal declarations of will regarding things we feel we should be accomplishing. 

As in, the will to exercise regularly.

Exercise is on my list for 2009 and I state it in writing here so that my husband can see it, and with loads of compassion and without a hint of sarcasm, pull it out later as a gentle reminder should my willpower fail me.

The first question I asked myself was: does running around count? Working moms do A LOT of running around. I run my son to school. Then I run to the office. If I leave my desk at lunch, it is to run errands. Then I run reallyreally fast to pick up each boy at their schools and drive across town to pull into the driveway in time for the final stretch of the daily marathon: homework, dinner, baths, dishes, setting out clothes for tomorrow, and so on. 

This sure seems like it ought to have cardiovascular benefits to counterbalance the stress of it all, but alas, it does not. I know this because if "running around" counted I'd have legs like Cameron Diaz and the butt of Jessica Biel.

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Amy Campbell Smith contributes to Around the Watercooler at Mommy Track'd. She is a full-time executive by day, poopy diaper changing/teenage problem solving mom by night and author of the blog Milk Breath and Margaritas.

Related: working out, resolutions, new years, mommy tracked, mommy trackd, exercise, around the watercooler, amy campbell smith

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Comments 1-9 of 9
  • sam's Avatar
    Posted by sam Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:11am PST

    Support that baby's head! Yipes.

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  • Kat's Avatar
    Posted by Kat Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:36am PST

    good article. funny too. but geez. the baby. poor thing.

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  • Joanna's Avatar
    Posted by Joanna Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:33pm PST

    you do burn calories running around (way more than sitting around)

    but my guess is that the stress of all that rushing is counterproductive and it can negate some of the cardio benifit

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  • tere616's Avatar
    Posted by tere616 Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:10pm PST

    Well, feel ashame.

    I enlist myself to a gym, hire PT, but since am busy with my all the way meeting, I failed to follow my PT advice.

    I think I will try again without putting unbelievable goal, hope it will work.

    Report Abuse
  • gloria's Avatar
    Posted by gloria Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:24pm PST

    I HAVE A LOT OF WEIGHT TO LOSE.IDEALLLY PROBABLY AROUND 80lbs//I would feel a lot better.I HAVE SO MANY HEALTH ISSUES GOING ON RIGHT NOW.. I AM 55YRS YOUNG. WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK WOULD BE THE BEST EXERCISE EQUIPMENT TO START OUT ON. I AM STARTING AT CURVES JAN 5 BUT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DO SOMETHING EXTRA AT HOME TO BURN THE FAT. WHAT DIET DO YOU THINK WOULD BE BEST FOR ME?

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  • Beverly's Avatar
    Posted by Beverly Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:40am PST

    walking is truly the cheapest and easiest way to exercise. Park your car farther from the store, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Secondly watch the types of food you eat, beware of processed convienience foods- they are full of preservatives and sodium that will sabatoge your weight loss efforts. I do small bursts of activity frequently throughout the day and make activities I HAVE to do more benificial for example: While cleaning the house, crank up the music and dance! In the shower I have been known to do some squats. While talking on the phone I will often pace. And stand rather then sit to burn a few extra calories. OH yeah, and when you do find time to spend with your honey intimatly-that burns calories too! ;-)

    what your looking for is not a diet or a resalution, you need to change your entire way you look at life. Vow to be healthy and you will end up thinner.

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