No more excuses, at home workout!

Being a mom and getting a workout in can be tough at times.  I am the first to admit that I can come up with every excuse in the book, but at the end of the day if I really want it I will make it happen.  The best thing you can do is to schedule your workout and make it routine.  It will then become second nature to get that workout in.  Say for example you work a 9-5 and find it hard to get your workout in.   Instead of making the usual excuses (I'm tired, I don't have time, etc) find a way to work it in.  You can find a gym that is close to your work and go right after work, have your pre-workout snack around 4 then head right to the gym.  If you go right to the gym, instead of going home then trying to get back out to the gym, you are more likely to get your workout in.  Before I had my daughter I made sure to schedule my workouts in, either before work when I worked a late day or after work for my early shifts.  Now that I am a stay at home mom, and I don't have a set schedule per se, I can find every excuse in the book to not workout.  However, I know that I am a better mom, wife and me when I am working out consistently.  My new routine is to get up early before my daughter is up and get my workout in.  That way I make sure to get it done first thing and there are no excuses later in the day that keep me from working out.  If there is a day that I have to workout when my daughter is up I still get my workout in, I try to make it fun for her too.  If I am doing crunches I will let her sit on my lap, it makes for some added resistance and she thinks its hysterical!  If she sees mommy having fun while working out, it will create a positive view for her about exercising to have fun and be healthy.  I know that one day (when she is old enough) she will ask, "Mom can you teach me that?", that day will be such a proud day for me.  I want her to feel strong secure and happy in her own skin.  The same way I feel when I am working out and doing good for me!  

My daughter 10 months old, watching mommy workout!

Whatever your situation, working mom, stay at home mom, career woman you can workout at home with no equipment and still get a killer workout in. 
 Here is my no excuses at home total body
workout:
Warm up- Jog in place 20 seconds, 15 jumping jacks, 20 arm windmills
Do this circuit 4 times through-
Push ups (modified on knees if beginner)- 20 reps
Crunches- 30 reps
Squats- 30 reps
Reverse lunge- 10 each leg
mountain climbers- 30 reps
jumping jacks- 30 reps
wall sits (knees at 90 degrees and back flat against wall)- hold for 20-30 seconds
*rest and repeat!
If you have time left (or energy) after this workout go for a walk in your neighborhood.  Shoot for a good 30 minute walk at a brisk pace.  As you get stronger and if you are ready for it you can add intervals of running and walking.  Remember it is all about the effort that you put it, if you work for results you will see them!

How do you make sure you get your workout in?  Please feel free to share your tips with me here!

Green Smoothie Girl in the making!

 Last night, by a seemingly wonderful coincidence, I went to the Green Smoothie Girl Workshop in Troy, MI.  My aunt had been to one of her workshops in the fall and lent me the book, I read it in a day and started making green smoothies.  However, as with most things, I stopped doing this great practice regularly. So when my aunt offered me two tickets, I called up my friend Laura, and we made plans to go. 
After to listening to Robin tell her heartfelt and personal stories, I was inspired to join in the mission of whole food living.  I am starting with her first step, drinking 32 ounces of green smoothie a day, and my daughter and husband are drinking these too!  Her top 3 benefits of drinking green smoothies 1) Weight loss, 2) more energy 3)Better digestion.  I don't know about you, but those all sound great to me!  Not to mention that with each smoothie I am getting 10-15 servings of organic fruits and veggies, my daughter is also getting these valuable nutrients for her growing body and brain. The average American gets 1-2 and the average child gets 1! That is staggering and sad that this is where we are as a country and we wonder why people are sick and get cancer.  It is time to start looking at what we are feeding our selves, our children and our families.  I am excited to learn more about Green Smoothies and how I can help spread this message.  Robin said that the information would be life changing.  I know what she is talking about.  If I can make this a habit and work on her 12 step program I know that mine and my families lives will be changed, better health, less illnesses and prevention of cancer and other diseases that come with eating processed garbage food.  I believe so wholeheartedly that I have applied to become an Apprentice Health Coach for Green Smoothie Girl!  Fingers crossed!  Stay tuned for more information and more recipes of yummy and healthy green smoothies!  
Here is the recipe for my Green Smoothie pictured above:
2 large Kale leaves
1 large collard leaf
1 chard leaf
1 cup spinach
1 banana
1 apple (cored and cut)
1/4 cup raspberries
2 tbsp organic coconut oil
1 tbsp organic golden flax
1 1/2 cups water and ice
*All my fruits and veggies were organic.
I blended my greens and water first, I added the other items one at a time until everything was well blended!
Serve and ENJOY!
You can find more information at www.greensmoothiegirl.com and sign up for her newsletter!
I hope you will join me in this Green Smoothie journey!