[Saya]

So I've always been terrible at doing any consistent exercise, and thus I'm pretty out of shape. I'd go to the gym for 3 months, get bored, do yoga for 6 months, get bored, sit on the couch and eat thin mints for a year . . . oh wait, that wasn't boring! But for the 6 months before my daughter came home I actually started running regularly. I felt that if I was going to be the best mom I could be, the mom this little girl deserved, I had to be in better shape. It's not like I was going to run any marathons, but I was at least doing it consistently.

Then Anabel was placed in my arms over a year ago - and after that NADA. I haven't gone running since! The only exercise I get is carrying this little girl arond town - which is great for upper body strength but not so good for cardio.

So my question - those with kids at home PLUS full time jobs, HOW ON EARTH DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO THIS!!!!???? I would love to do this, but I just have no idea where to fit this into my schedule - and I get up at 6am as it is!! I know it's only "30 minutes" but with clothing changes, getting to the park, showering, etc. it always seems to take far longer. If I can find the time, I'd love to join you guys!

[loveajax]

Join us, Saya....

Thirty minutes three times a week...I have it "easier" because I belong to a gym near work, to the Y (near home) and have a treadmill (and I still find excuses not to do it...teehee!).

About to head out for my treadmill session...I would rather have a cheeseburger!

[DPline]

Well, I did my first session of week 2 this morning. My arthritic knees and saggy rear end weren't real pleased (nothing like feeling your butt bouncing around as you run!) but I got through it.

Put down the Thin Mints and join us Saya! You sound so much like me. I keep signing up for classes at the gym because the fact I have paid for it keeps me motivated to go. But I still have to keep changing classes because I get bored with them.

My younger two go to the child care at the gym while I work out, and if my older son is off school he comes and works out with me. But I don't have a full time job to fit into my schedule. How about getting a jogging stroller and talking her with you running near your home?

[court5505]

I remember always quitting around week 5. When you go from jogging for 8 minutes to jogging for 20 minutes, it was just always a huge jump for me. Does anyone have any tips to get me through it?

[loveajax]

Court, did you say 20 minutes?....(hahah...I have no idea how to push thru...I'm having trouble with 90 seconds!).

Just finished week 2....afraid to peek ahead to week 3.

[court5505]

Yes, it jumps from 8 minutes one day to 20 minutes the next day. I can handle the 8 minutes, but I freak out at the 20 and that's when I quit! I know it's probably a mental block that I need to get through.

[loveajax]

There should be some interim minutes there, don't you think??? Geez! Maybe you could modify and do a week or two at like 13-14 minutes before hitting the 20???

[DPline]

Ummmm . . . YEAH! Definetly need some interim weeks in there! Like Loveajax, I am afraid to look beyond week 2. But I can definetly say that if I ever get up to 8 minutes, jumping to 20 minutes from there is so not going to happen!

[SuzBerg]

Okay - I walked most of it but I did 20 minutes today and was able to do a mile. This 41 year old body was not happy about it (and you cute perky 25 year olds can just cheer along from the sides but don't laugh at my out-of shape/overweight body, I WAS cute and young once) - HOW am I possibly going to do 3+ miles RUNNING the whole way??????

One helpful hint - because I am so old - I love 80's music. I would suggest listening to some in your ipod it makes the time go quickly and I walk really fast to keep up with the beat. Any 80's CD works "Modern 80's", "Ultimate 80's" "80's Dance Party", "Awesome 80's" or just greatest hits of Erasure, Duran-Duran, Dead or Alive, etc. (Believe me I have quite the collection).

[loveajax]

Suz, I'm an 80s wild child myself, so I like your suggestions!!

I forgot to tell you guys that I had this pain radiating from my back thru my bum this morning. DH was like, "RUNNER DOWN! RUNNER DOWN!" and cracking up...he's such a PITA! In any event, it's not bothering me anymore....what will happen to my body when I move beyond these 90 second jogs....oy!

Court, I just looked at the plan. That one day "leap" is outrageous...I really don't "get" it??

[browneyes0707]

I second the 80's music thing. I can't get through my cardio routine without it!!

[ChatMan]

Originally Posted by court5505

I remember always quitting around week 5. When you go from jogging for 8 minutes to jogging for 20 minutes, it was just always a huge jump for me. Does anyone have any tips to get me through it?

Let me preface this with I don't know anything but...

It sounds to me like the program is trying to get your body to switch from an anerobic cycle to an aerobic cycle. Upto this point you are simply informing your, let us call them less used, muscles that their presence is going to be required. So you are exercising but not in a continuing (meaning aerobic) way. By increasing the length of time the exercise lasts, you are depleting your body's store of oxygen and requiring it (and your metabolism) to gear up for continuous demand.

How to get through it? You might try viewing it as not having to jog three times as far, simply that you are going to ask your heart and lungs to maintain their rates for three times as long (if that makes sense). And if you can't make the 20 minutes, try for 14 . The program's goal is couch to 5K in 9 weeks but if you stop in the middle, what's the point. What harm can there be if you go from couch to 5K in 10 weeks, or 11 or 12. The desired destination is 5K, I think, not 9 weeks.

Me, I'm a dog walker. Every night we start out like the Iditarod (I'm musher to 2 dogs, my wife mushes one). Three miles later, we have three whipped pups and a couple of tired mushers. We've found it is the only way to get all of them to sleep through the night . I'm not sure if they're really sleeping through or if my wife and I just don't hear them.

loveajax - When you describe your pain, is it muscle soreness or more like a toothache? The former is just your muscles complaining that you are deviating from your normal self. The latter could be a mechanical back issue (like pressure on a nerve). In either case, pain is your body's message to you that you should pay attention to what you are doing. The idea is to achieve a desired level of fitness, not cripple yourself.

[loveajax]

Chatman, very helpful stuff! Yes, it's the former so I think (hope) I am OK. My "normal self" is very out of shape so I am sure my muscles are mad at me!!!

And yes, well, I'd love to be "ready" in 9 weeks, I can see it taking me a few (OK, hundreds!) more weeks...but yeah, let's get to that 5K.

You know, I just realized we need like a Billy Blanks type here.....who wants to be the drill sergeant?

[DPline]

Originally Posted by ChatMan

How to get through it? You might try viewing it as not having to jog three times as far, simply that you are going to ask your heart and lungs to maintain their rates for three times as long (if that makes sense).

Oh yeah. THAT really makes me feel better! (Insert red-faced smiley lying on the ground gasping for air!)

LOL! Just kidding! Thanks! Your post really was helpful.

[Oceans]

I just realized we need like a Billy Blanks type here.....who wants to be the drill sergeant?

LOL... Not me. I accept all excuses and reward them with cookies.