Swim Suit Season Already?

I dread the actual first donning of the swim suit every summer. The blanket of winter fat is usually still around. I am determined every year to look great in a swimsuit, and somehow I usually end up looking like what I am, uncomfortable in next to nothing! Even though my swim suit covers almost as much material as a granny skirted swimsuit! This year the dreaded trying -on-of -the-swim -suit-ritual made me feel much better than I thought it would.

It wasn't half bad. It wasn't half great either!

I know many people have the big excuse that they never have time to exercise or they get bored. Or they wait till the last few weeks in spring to attempt to achieve that perfect summer body. I have some good tips to help all you busy moms squeeze a little bit more exercise into your day.

Here is one that you will hate to do, but it is so easy. Park the farthest away from the grocery store, and walk. You will get more exercise and by the time you would have waited for a close spot you would have been there all ready by walking.

Do deep knee bends while brushing your teeth.

Do lunges or squats while drying off after a shower (with door locked of course)!

Walk around the house cleaning while you are on the phone.

Walk to get the mail. Everyday!

Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

If you work, walk on your lunch break, or take the stairs a few times on rainy days.

If you watch a lot of TV, try doing stomach crunches and push-ups during entire commercial. Or lift some small 2-5 pound weights.

Make it a family thing, get everyone out of the house and walk after dinner.

Get a dog, then you are forced to be outside and walking!

There are the ways of actually exercising on a hectic schedule. I find that the best way to schedule exercise is to just do it, quit thinking about when you are going to do it and just do it! I do a morning work out while my baby is having his morning nap. My five year old has play time in my room. Start small, plan on only working out three times a week, that is a good goal. If you can do more great, but don't give yourself a guilt trip because you didn't work out 6 times in one week, that is unrealistic.

It does not have to be expensive, you do not have to pay hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. Check out your local YMCA, they have a program called “Open Doors” where if you qualify, your monthly payments are based on your income, and what you can afford.

You also can invest in a couple of workout videos, and work out in front of your own TV, in the privacy of your own home. Which helps to not have to worry about whether someone else is looking at your behind while you are walking on the treadmill.

If you are getting tired of the same routine go to your library and check out some new exercise videos. Most libraries have a huge selection of all sorts of exercise videos and DVDs, from Pilates to Tae-Bo.

Or you can do what I do and record a workout from TV. I have recorded a couple Yoga workouts from the Oxygen channel that normally come on at 5 am.

There is also the Denise Austin workouts that come on the Lifetime channel around 6 am. There are so many ways to keep your workout changing so you do not get bored. You can drive to a new neighborhood and go walking or go to your local mall. Go to the mall before the stores are open and walk. Many malls have walking clubs you can join.

You may want to join a gym, they are great. Most have free child care and great group workouts. If you want to get a family membership, get one at a facility that has something for your entire family. A lap pool for dad to swim, an aerobics studio for mom, Tai Kwon Do for the kids, and a pool for everyone come summer time. Just get out side and enjoy life, and burn a few calories while doing it!