The Mommy Diaries - I am sure exercise is just a fashion!

Hello again ladies

As a mum, I find it so hard to find time to exercise, do you? If I do, it means I need to get up before its light and then what to do? sadly, I don't even like exercise, I can summon up enough energy to do half hour if I have my most fabulous possession (my ipod) blaring me into the unknown.

Truth is I live  right next to the ocean, which IS where I love to walk, but unless I go in the middle of the night, there is no chance......... anyway my theory is that exercise is just a fashion, I am sure it all started with Jane Fonda because since when did you see Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor or any other Hollywood legends jogging down the street.

So I have googled and googled and come to realise that you don't have to join a gym to burn calories. Great workouts are all around you — in your home, at your desk or just outside your front door. And while everyday activities might not seem like much, over the course of a day, the number of calories you burn can really add up. Check out some of these "chores" to see how you can burn up to 150 calories as you go about your everyday stuff.

1. Gardening Pulling weeds, digging holes, spreading mulch or grass seed — all these activities burn a significant number of calories. In just 15 minutes, you could burn as many as 75 to 100 calories while enjoying the fresh air — and crossing off one of your chores at the same time. 2. Housework Don't think of it as more chores; see it as a chance to stay fit. Vacuuming burns plenty of calories, but add in mopping the floors, dusting and changing the sheets, and you can burn up to 50 calories in just 15 minutes! 3. Mowing Why pay someone to cut the grass when you can do it yourself? Add as much as $30 to your weekly budget and trim your figure as you trim your lawn. Stay off that riding mower and burn 50 to 100 calories. 4. Climbing stairs Do a load of laundry, take it upstairs. Come back down, pick up the bedroom linens, head back up — you get the idea. The more weight you carry up, the more calories you burn — as many as 100 calories in 15 minutes. 5. Shopping If you're heading to the mall, add an indoor lap before you do your shopping and after you've found what you're looking for. And forget that close spot — park in the distance to add steps to your tally. 6. Make your desk work count Don't just sit at your desk — get active! Try leg lifts under your desk or hold your tummy in for a count of 10, firming muscles with isometrics. Press your palms flat down on your desk and release to strengthen your biceps.

So what do you think girls? I think we could do this don't you? after all as soon as summer gets here its time to expose those legs and arms again.........yay!! have a great day xx A