SUMMER FAQs Day 2

How can I keep up with my workouts while we are in the Grand Canyon/kids are needing to be driven all over the county for swim meets, soccer camps and baseball showcases/my entire extended family is at my house since we decided to buy a place on a Lake?

This is a common one as many of us are under the misconception that our health can be last on the priority list especially for Mothers. We are pretty accustomed to taking one for the team when life gets nuts.

I have been very vocal with my daily commitment to exercise. I am not exactly my best self if I do not get a chance to exercise too many days in a row, my beloved 9 year old self has been known to ask me when I a going to go to the gym, because “I would feel better” which is his way of saying I am acting crabby.

The main reasons I recommending NOT forgoing exercise during the summer.

1) It might be your own alone time all day. My life is full and has only gotten more so lately. The hour I am working out, I rarely have my phone with me, this is on purpose. I do not want to be disturbed. Traveling across the National Parks in an RV seemed like such a great idea back in April but having the opportunity to go for a solitary run will give you a chance to reconnect with yourself, while everyone else is still asleep back at the campsite.

2) You will finish with a better perspective. Having the time to work out how exactly 12 people are going to get to the restaurant when there are only enough cars for 10 will be a blessing. The exercise time will be when you decide to stop thinking how annoyed you are at your brother for showing up unannounced and uninvited with his new girlfriend (he has a girlfriend?) and be happy he is with the family, that he finally broke up with the awful last one and it is a chance for everyone to have great time together. Now, what to do about tonight: We could call UBER, some of the party could bike or some of the grown up could walk since it is half a mile. All these things are better worked out without 11 people talking at you.

3) The physical benefits. Once the endorphins kick in, we better, it is a chemical reaction. The caloric burn never hurts as well. When we exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in our brains that reduce our perception of pain. (Webmd 2018). It also can help with mild depression and insomnia. The inability to sleep because we are worried about how we are going to have to be in 3 places at once tomorrow? It might not be a problem if we make sure to get in a Cycle class, as we ran into Lauren and Debbie who we haven’t seen since school let out and it turns out they both can carpool tomorrow for the other two kids. As a bonus Debbie’s college age niece is looking for extra cash and is a great driver to use as a resource.

I have a link to a take anywhere exercise routine I have developed. It is a HIIT class, and it is dependent on how much time you have. It will kick your booty and it will be quick and dirty.

https://erinwathenwellness.com/exercise-tips/

Just kidding, not dirty but effective and you can go take on your day.