summer exercise

[gunnabfit]

Hello Everyone,
I HATE summer!!!!! I really do hate it....I hate the heat and the gym is an hour away and with gas prices and the fact I just became a single mother I cant really afford to keep going. So what can I do? I need something where I can bring my kids as well....I am fortunate enough to live like a 1min. drive to the lake, but Im not sure how great swimming is if it does a lot of change or not...so if anyone could help me out that would be great! Thanks!

[Lisa]

There's a TON of things you CAN do while at home...and you'll be embracing summer doing them at home and saving gas! And the fact that you have a lake near by that you can swim in with your kids, is even better. Swimming is actually REALLY good and easier on your joints. I haven't done serious swimming in a couple of years (I was forced to take a 1 credit PE class and chose swimming..aka: doggypaddling). You can make swimming a great cardio exercise and work out at home lifting you soup cans (that's a tip I learned from Brook ).

You can do squats, walk in place, and a whole lot of other exercises at home that are free. Working out 30 minutes a day is the goal to do 5 days a week. From my experience, cardio 3 days a week and core/toning w/weights two days a week has really helped endurance, burning fat, inches, and pounds---and let me tell ya, you'll sleep so well!!!

I saw that you were interested in C25K (I'm so glad you are!!). It's really a great motivator to just do something---and it only takes about 26 minutes a day, 3 days a week to do the first few weeks. Thats all.

Raising kids and finding time for you is essential, hard, but very important.

Play hard---you'll succeed!

[TheDogAteMyName]

Couch to 5K sounds right up your alley...best part the kiddos can come along with you My baby is in the stroller and my oldest rides her bike when we go for a walk or jog.

[carbless_in_seattle]

Originally Posted by *Lisa*

lifting you soup cans (that's a tip I learned from Brook ).

and then graduate to laundry detergent

I used to bicep curl my skis.

[ttdriver]

In 6 and a half years on Atkins, I've never paid a cent in gym fees.

I live in Florida where exercise outdoors is NORMAL ... yeah, the summers are hot, but where aren't they hot?

Got walking/running shoes? There ya go.

Betty

[chinadoll]

Swimming is a great stretching and toning exercise and a great cardio if you really swim distances. Walking at a fast pace or running is great. In fact you could walk to and from the lake to swim! Pop in a dance exercise DVD or do things like play volleyball or badminton with the kids (you don't need a net, improvise). Play kickball wiffle ball anything to get moving. Great for the kids too!