Tired of your workout?

Sure signs that it’s time to spice up your workout come from your attitude. Are you skipping workouts because other things seem more important? Are the results not what they were?  Is the enthusiasm gone?

Then, pick it up! Change it up! If even for a few weeks, do something different. With the spring weather you can swap inside treadmill workouts with outdoor runs, walks or hikes. Get on the bike and ride with your family to get the benefits of both exercise and sharing time with your kids and husband.

If your weight-lifting routine is stale, look for other ways to work the same muscles. Do some push-ups instead of the bench press. Making even small changes can make your body react differently and you’ll again see change in your physical appearance as well as your motivation.

Spring Break at Home – Plan the Unexpected

Spring break has a different twist this year for many families. More seem to be staying home than spending time or money in travel. That doesn’t mean that it has to be dull or that you have to spend a lot of money while at home to make it a great spring break. We planned out the entire week with activities to do each day, special food menus and “treats” (like a slumber party in my bed!) to make this week a true break from the norm.

The key is plan the unexpected.  Having a slumber party isn’t that unique for this family of ten, however, having the slumber party in my bed where they got to bring a TV in, have a big bubble bath, watch a movie marathon and have munchies all night certainly was a treat – and unexpected. The unexpected makes things exciting and fun!

Look around your city for those free or cheap options to take your family too. We spent time at the St. Louis Magic House, the City Museum, and the Zoo. Some of the boys caught a Blue’s hockey game and we all treated ourselves to a matinee movie.

Get creative with your ideas, your city options and your food. Just a few ideas on little ways to plan the unexpected:

• Have a make your own pizza night. Get several toppings and have each kid make a mini-pizza (or three as some of my boys would do)
•  Make meals that fit your “theme” for that day.
• Pitch a tent in your own backyard or maybe – in your living room, for a fun camping adventure.
• Let the kids eat in front of the TV for a night.
• Stop by the dollar store and give them each a dollar to find a treat. It’s cheap and they love the hunt of finding their treasure!
• Stay up late. Sleep in late.
• Movie marathons with tons of popcorn.
• Trips to local zoos and parks.

Another twist for us? Just family. We focused on just our family this week instead of staying over at friends’ houses or having them tag with us. I wanted this to be a family spring break where we relaxed and bonded together. And it’s been great!

It took you 9 mo to get there…

So give yourself nine months to get back!

For new moms that’s the biggest advice I can give when it comes to getting back in shape. Women come down so hard on themselves for not bouncing right back. You have to remember that it did take you nine full months to get into baby shape and it will take at least that long to get back into pre-baby shape.

Be disciplined during pregnancy and you’ll find that the post-baby weight and tone will be much more manageable on the back-end.

Stay focused. Stay motivated. Stay positive and you’ll get there.

Connect with Your Kids

Don’t wait another moment to take that moment to connect with your kids. Even with ten children, there is time for each of them. You have to make it a priority. And for me, it is.

Moms are here for more than just making dinner, doing laundry or playing chauffeur, this is about doing things WITH your child that helps keep you connected and the lines of communication open. When things aren’t going well or they seem stressed, you’ll be able to tell this and help them work through it.

Investing in your kids is one that will only increase in value. If you have the chance to be with your kids after school, I find that the 3 – 6:00 p.m. time frame is a great time to focus on them with the least amount of distractions.

Connect with your kids in a variety of ways:

• Sporting activities (participating, attending, practicing)
• reading with them
• helping them with their homework
• working out
• cooking
• doing chores
• being outside
• prayer time
• training a new dog
• listening to them practice presentations, rehearse songs or lines for a show
• shopping (grocery or clothing)
• listening or helping with their music interests and practices

The list is unending. What I warn you is that if you’re waiting to find the time – you’ll never do it. Invest in your kids today. Connect early, connect often. You will all benefit from a healthy relationship.

Gentle Reminders

Respecting others is a message my husband and I work on with the kids – daily. The best way to teach manners and respect is to do these things yourself. Respect others, their time and needs and your children will pick up on these actions and follow suit. Doing as a way of teaching is one of the most important tools you have.

I’ve touched on this topic of “leading by example” in various ways through my tips, but a direct gentle reminder is also a good idea.

For example, most days as the kids are piling out of the car or running out the door I remind them “Respect your teachers. Be kind to your friends.” This verbal reminder is something that reinforces the actions we take and I hope will resonate over time.

Be respectful of your child and others. Give them the gentle reminder (and some days you need to be reminded too!) and watch your child grow into a respectful young adult, student, brother or sister and adult.