11 Weeks to a More Organized Life & Home: Week 3 (10 Minutes of Exercise)

Two weeks into this series and I am feeling really good about meeting my goals of reading the Bible for 15 minutes and getting dressed nicely every day.

I have been thinking about why goals I have made in the past never stick. I think it boils down to trying to do too much at once. That is why I have only been adding one new task to my routine each week instead of one each day. It takes time for something to become a habit.

Just like I didn’t become unorganized in a few days, I’m not going to become organized in a few days either. Case in point, this weeks new goal.

My entire growing up years I exercised. I took dancing lessons and gymnastics from the time I was around 4 years old until I was about 10 years old. I ran track in junior high, and I played basketball from 6th-12th grades. When I went to college, I walked across campus with ease. I think it is safe to say that I was in shape.

Fast forward a “few” years, and I am now a mom of five who doesn’t work outside of the home. Regardless of the fact that at 8 1/2 months pregnant I could still bend over and touch my toes without bending my legs, I would have to say that I am out of shape.

For years I have said that my exercise regimen has consisted of chasing babies, wrangling toddlers, playing with preschoolers, keeping up with the older kids, running up and down the stairs, picking up toys, and doing all sorts of housekeeping chores. All of these keep me active each day. However, none of them are focused and intentional about keeping me in shape, which in turn will help me be healthier.

This week my goal will be to exercise for 10 minutes each day. Notice that I didn’t say I was going to start doing a 30 minute workout video each day, or start a running program. I think if I had made those things my goal then I would get burnt out quickly. Baby steps!

At nearly 7 months postpartum, I still have about 10 pounds to lose, but that isn’t why I am making this week’s goal about exercise. I am not trying to diet and lose weight so that I look “good”. (Moosh in Indy has a good post on this subject.) I want to exercise for my health.

My plan, if you can call it a plan, will be to spend my 10 minutes on stretching and becoming more flexible. Maybe I will work to where I am doing things like jumping jacks, running in place, or even this wall workout. I eventually want to work up to being able to do the World’s Fastest Workout.

I chose a time of 10 minutes because it seemed like a good starting point. Instead of sitting at the computer for an extra 10 minutes, I am going to choose to start taking care of my body by exercising.

I would love to hear from you. Do you already have an exercise routine each day? If not, do you think you could spend 10 minutes each day exercising like I plan to?

Here is a printable checklist for this week. Click on the picture below to download and print the file.

  • Shonda

    I’m trying to exercise about 15 min a day (I use an exercise video- Leslie Sansone). I’m about 6 months postpartum and I have 20 lbs to lose!

    • http://blessingsoverflowing.blogspot.com/ Jackie

      That’s great, Shonda! 15 minutes sounds like a good amount of time.

  • Amber

    Good plan! I also use the chasing after kids for my exercise. I have been trying to do some jump jacks or push ups or something for at least 10 mins.

    • http://blessingsoverflowing.blogspot.com/ Jackie

      Amber, good for you for doing jumping jacks and push-ups! Sounds like a good plan to me. :)