Getting Married

[Badger21]

I'm getting married in 86 days! Looking for some encouragement to keep moving more. Between work and being "Mom" I feel that I don't have as much motivation to move my butt. Any cheers would be great! Also if anyone has any suggestions on how to tone arms that would be great. I am not an avid gym goer. Thanks to all. 

🙂

[TandemWalker]

Thera Bands, or any brand of elastic resistance band for that matter, could work well - easy to use, easy to carry, and cheap to buy. The little instruction guide that comes with it includes a number of exercises that would work magic to tone up your arms.  If you've never done bands before, I would not start with anything higher than the green one and progress from there.

As for motivation, it's rather difficult to offer advice since we don't know much about you except for the fact that you're a Mom, you have a job, and you're getting married. That being said, I think you may find some comfort in some of the cues offered at this URL. 

http://www.fitsugar.com/Motivational-Fitness-Quotes-21383537#photo-22092625

I would pick and choose the ones I like best, print them, frame them and have them at work, at home, in the kitchen, in the living room, on the dining room table ... just as thoughtful reminders to get on with it.

Hope this helps, even if just a little. Have a nice day!

[Snowflakepdx]

Hello...congratulations. 

You have a lot going on and it can be easy to get in a cycle of trying to do to much.

It is so important to really prioritize your health and your self care.    Taking good care of yourself is putting your family and kids first.  Determine what patterns and behaviors are not contributing to your health and your families health and eliminate it.

The key is planning.  Children need exercise too.  try to plan acitivies where the whole family gets to exercise...if they are still in a stroller get out and push it.   If the children are older this is a good time for you to outline and clarify their daily chores for the summer break.  You are not their personal maid.  Try to limit shopping trips to the grocery store to once a week.  You'll save money and lose weight by planning the week ahead.  Eating out and fast food don't save time they just sap your time and energy. 

One technique that many women don't learn when they are young is how to ask for help and delegate responsibility.  This is a skill that will help you become a better communicator in your marriage and in your growing family.  All people like to be presented with tasks that are rewarding and being praised for their work....this includes your kids and fiance....if they see that helping you with the diet and exercise is rewarding they will help you get to your goal.  

[thedancinghiker]

Congratulations! How exciting. I'm getting married next year, so I'm there with you.

If you're trying to slim down your arms, it won't happen unless you lose weight overall. But if you want to tone them up, there are many different exercises that will help. I usually just do pushups/planks/squats with weights, but I'm sure someone else will have more recommendations.

My arms are somewhat toned, but I don't do tireless reps to tone them. Dance has helped me tone my arms (holding your arms out for two hours will do that), yoga, and mountain climbing has helped a lot. Is there a climbing gym in your area? Climbing is one of those activities (for me, at least) where you're having fun and it's less monotonous than lifting weights ad nauseam. Good luck, hope you find something that's right for you!