Melisa
Exercise of choice: basement elliptical while staring at fake wood paneling
Distance: 5.87 miles? km? not sure on the units..
Calories burned: 604
Soundtrack: I’m a constant skipper of songs that come on that I don’t like so today it was a mix of M. Ward, Band of Horses, Silversun Pickups, Conor Oberst and Superchunk.

Jason

Back on it tonight. Was way too tired last night… so I skipped a day. Tonight, I hit up the elliptical.

Stats: 5.63 miles and burned 597 calories

Weight: haven’t in a few days…

Soundtrack:

• U-Trau – Jawbox
• The Conversation – Elliott
• Plans – Bloc Party
• Complications – Broken Social Scene
• Skeletons – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Unsalted Butter – The Long Winters
• Slugs in the Shrubs – Les Savy Fav
• Cruel Swing – Jawbox

*Day 6*

Played in park for 2+ hrs. and cleaned for 2+ hours, but no formal exercise.

*Day 7*

Went to bed at 8pm!  HA!  Studied the inside of my eyelids instead of exercising!

*Day 8*

Weight: Not telling, but I think I lost a pound miraculously!

Exercise of choice: 50 min. walk around neighborhood with Lucy and Zoey in stroller and Stella in hiking backpack on my back.

Soundtrack: Lucy narrating the walk

Just a note on wearing your baby for a walk.  Obviously it doesn’t work to jog/run with a baby in sling, although its entertaining to think about that visual.  In the evenings I can start running, but for now my only option from about morning until 7/8pm is walking with the kids- at least as far as I can figure out (suggestions please!)  But I am having an issue deciding how to carry either Zoey or Stella on these walks.  For what its worth..

The backpack aluminum frame carrier for hiking that we have is great, but heavier and not as comfortable.  It does allow me to put one of the twins in it and “stand” her there until I can get everyone else in the stroller.  This is good for Stella since she is so fast at crawling and hard to contain.  Zoey still doesn’t crawl and only walks when you can get her to standing.  However, Zoey likes this one more since she can move around a bit and sits up higher.  It also has a sun hood, which is so nice, along with a small pouch on the back to put keys, etc in.  I also like how I can sit down and undo the waist belt and it can free stand with the baby in it so I can get her off easily and safely.  However, its the heaviest option and when the baby falls asleep, she rests her head on the padded bar or the back of your head, which makes it kind of off balanced and harder to carry and move your head.  I tried this today and Stella slept the whole 50 minutes in it and was leaning heavily to my right side, giving me a neck cramp!

The new Ergo carrier I found is sooooo comfortable for me, but hard to get the baby into solo since it doesn’t have a frame that is stiff. I basically lay it flat, put Stella in the middle of it where her butt fits and quickly put on the waist belt and shoulder straps while sitting in front of her.  This has only worked once.   The other times I tried, she wiggles away, stands up holding onto my shoulders, etc. and then gets irritated when I try to get her into it again.  The Ergo seems best with another person to help you do it.  However, when the baby falls asleep they make a nice little snuggle between your shoulders and you can bend your body with theirs.  Zoey hates being this confined and won’t ride in it and the only other negative is getting baby’s hat on her on a sunny day, especially if your kids are like mine, and hate wearing any clothes they can get off themselves.

I haven’t tried the Moby Wrap while on a long walk in a while since I have to wear the baby on the front when I am solo.  Wrapping the baby on your back requires another person’s help definitely.  It takes a bit of practice to wrap it right, but I’m a whiz with the front wrap after almost 2 years.  The problem with walking is that the girls are too big to put on my front without seriously hurting my back after a while.  Plus they are so tall their heads come up to mine and their bodies get too close to the stroller handle bars if i should hit a big bump in the pavement, especially when going fast!

So, for what its worth there are some thoughts on baby wearing and long walking.  Any ideas from Moms that have tried other carriers, or these carriers other ways?

Day 6 was 2+ hours at the park playing with the girls, as we had an impromptu picnic with our friends and their kids at Delaware Park. It was a beautiful day and we all had a fun time. Hopefully there are more days like that this summer!

*Day 7 Update*

Jason:

Finally got back to the elliptical tonight after a couple days of ‘play’ exercise this weekend. Another late exercise session, so I kept it shorter than 30 minutes, but also tried to push past the marks I set in the previous 20-minute session. Bested both, so that’s good to see.

Overall, I am thinking more and more that our life doesn’t fit the 7-day workout regime, as you’ve probably witnessed over the last week! No duh, right? Well, my main thinking was it would help solidify the habit and routine. I think it does accomplish that, but I also need to be realistic – especially given that it’s summer and there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and move.

I also came across a great article on Zen Habits called The Healthy and Fit Algorithm. Definitely worth a read. The points on exercise really hit home, as I thought about this little challenge:

Exercise:

1. Do it 4 times per week for at least 30 minutes. Seriously, doesn’t matter. Basketball, jogging, weights, push ups, etc. Unless you have a specific goal just make sure to get it done!
2. The two day rule! You can’t miss 2 days of working out in a row. You can skip one day. But not the next!
3. Don’t let the “Exercise Monster” build up. When I don’t do laundry for a while it becomes what I like to call the ‘Laundry Monster’. It builds up in my mind and I avoid doing it at all costs. Until finally, I have to. And it’s never as bad as I think it’ll be! Don’t let it happen to you. Follow the two day rule!
4. Don’t focus on exercising at a certain time. Just focus on making time to exercise!
5. Make it fun! Listen to music; join a nice gym; etc. Bonus: If you love working out with music as much as I do, only listen to your favorite music while you workout. I’ve actually exercised just to listen to my music.
6. Focus on how you want to feel. We always feel energized after we workout. Yet, we usually skip exercise when we’re feeling tired! Remember: Exercise will give you energy. Want more energy? Exercise more!

My plan is to try one more week of every day exercise, then consider moving to a four day regime and use the two-day rule if things are still crazy hectic. I would prefer to finish out the 30 days with an every day workout, but I also need to strike a balance with everything else. With that said, off to do the dishes quick before bed!

Day Seven Meta
Weight: Didn’t today, but I did weight myself yesterday was in the same 188-190 range.
Exercise of Choice: Elliptical for 20 minutes (4.32 miles and burned 349 calories)

Soundtrack

• This Are Flashes – Q and Not U
• Close to Home – The Get Up Kids
• Asleepers Union – Les Savy Fav
• One After One – Dananananakroyd
• Cheated Hearts – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Reprobate’s Resume – Les Savy Fav

Anyone have any ideas on how to prioritize/balance out all the things that you have to do in a day in addition to exercise? I guess I mean how to do you prioritize when there seems like an overwhelming amount of things that must get done? Between the normal “must dos” of dishes, laundry, making food in advance, vacuuming, washing the floor, cleaning bathrooms, putting clothes away, tidying up.. besides taking care of/feeding/playing with the kiddos, there is little time for “extra” stuff. Throw in a busy weekend and forget it. Its hard to simply keep up with cleaning and making sure the house is in some kind of order, never mind exercise. And when I mean cleaning/order I mean I shoot for 80%!

Good lord is this hard. Not that its hard to actually exercise, but finding the time among all the daily things that come along with keeping up with 3 little girls. Today was one of those days where we didn’t do much, but somehow it consumed our time. We went to Wegmans to get groceries with the girls which, including lunch was a 3 hr. trip. That’s another thing- normal things take extra long. Time seems to slip away faster that way.  Then it was dinner, then sorting clothes for our upcoming garage sale/consignment endeavor (another 2 hr. ordeal), on and on.  JD was so wiped from the day he fell asleep snoring sitting up on the couch with baby clothes strewn all over him and his foot in a clothes sorting bin!

With that said, neither of us did any actual exercise today.

While walking with the girls yesterday, I got to thinking that the only way I might be able to make exercise work is if it involves my kids. I spend so much time with them and to be able to exercise with them would show them that its the way life should be lived- actively. Not that I am a couch potato at all (that’s hilarious!) but I think that sitting for copious amounts of time is not good for the spirits or body. I think that there are tons of interesting and active things we can do to keep our bodies healthy and our minds satisfied at the same time. Being outside as much as possible is the natural solution to this, in my opinion, even if its reading under a tree for example. So, maybe the solution for keeping up my quota of exercise is to think about how I can do it while I am with my kids. The obvious challenge here is how young the kids are and the limitations that come along with that.  Hmmmmm…

In the meantime, this little experiment has made me think about exercise not just like “working out”, but how it can be a part of our lives as a family and as a couple. We used to have lots of time to do this sort of thing before we had kids and it was naturally and leisurely a part of our lifestyle, but now that life has changed so much for us its harder to make sure we are staying healthy with all the attention we have to give our little ones and not ourselves. As they grow I think it will be easier. Also, its been a lot of fun to think about what we can do to get in our “30 minutes” and its become a very entertaining topic around here. For example, I suggested to JD that I do 30 minutes of running in place in the middle of the living room or the front lawn so I can be available if anyone needs me at a moment’s notice! Or I can just dead lift the kids all at once or something. Can you imagine what my neighbors would think!? HA!

Anywhoo…thoughts on how to balance this all and include exercise??

OK, Day 4. Tough day. After work we headed out to my parents house to celebrate the Twin’s 1st birthday (only 8 days away!) with my family, which means we didn’t get home until late and I didn’t get a chance to exercise until 9:20p. Not the ideal time, since it’s already been a long day, so I decided to cut it short today and only do 20 minutes. Probably a good idea, since I’ve been working the elliptical pretty hard for just starting out.

Overall, I felt good today. Not as tired as usual and I actually felt like I lost a little weight. (Which I promptly put back on at the party!) So far, so good, though.

Day Four Meta
Weight: DIdn’t get a chance to do it at the usual time, plus not going to post-party!
Exercise of Choice: Elliptical for 20 minutes (4.11 miles and burned 327 calories)

Soundtrack:

1. Jigsaw Falling Into Place – Radiohead
2. I’m Not Calling You – Lifetime
3. Hand-me-down Tune – The Avett Brothers
4. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism – The New Pornographers
5. Dope Little Song – Beastie Boys
6. Hollywood Cemetery – Strike Anywhere
7. Feel Good Lost Reprise – Broken Social Scene
8. The Sense – Hot Water Music

(The ipod has been kicking out some nice jams so far!)

Melisa took a long 40-minute walk with the ladies (Zoey and Lucy in the jogging stroller and Stella in the back pack) today — amazing, huh? Don’t think I could handle that on my own and she readily and willingly does it very often. Super mom!

Melisa just went out to the mall with her friend Lis, so she will add her update to this post later. For now, it’s just me!

Overall, I still feel motivated and I think having to post every night helps keep that going. Not that anyone would care if I didn’t, but knowing that (without  back dating the post in Wordpress) it would be obvious if I didn’t, when I (or anyone) looked back at this… well, what ever I need to tell myself to keep going, I guess!

Day Three Meta
Weight:  188lbs, definite progress compared to yesterday’s questionable reading!
Exercise of choice: Elliptical for 30 minutes (5.47 miles and 576 calories burned)

Soundtrack:

1. Position – Hot Water Music
2. No More Pain – Embrace
3. History of Lovers – Iron and Wine/Celexico
4. Shoulder to the Wheel – Saves the Day
5. Nice New Outfit – Fugazi
6. No Hands – Hot Snakes
7. Love Is – Common
8. Guyatone – Orange 9mm
9. The Game – Common

Friday-

Gusto at the Gallery- Family Night at the Albright Knox, parking $3 in the gallery parking lot (get there early!), free admission 3-10pm.  Note: The gallery is not very stroller friendly.  Carry or wear babies for the least frustrating time!  We LOVE these events and the Albright Knox and Lucy always has a great time.  Unfortunately we will miss this one as we are celebrating Zoey and Stella’s 1st birthday with the Dettbarn family!  Stay tuned for a post on some of the handmade things I made for this huge occasion….

Saturday/Sunday-

Family Saturdays at Artpark- In addition to getting to look at some cool geology in the gorge area (hehe), this is a free family event at Artpark that includes hands on art exploration from 12-4pm.  We’ve never been, but we might make it out there this weekend!

Sanborn Days- A nice free family festival on Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (11-5) up in Niagara County.  Seems like there will be typical fair kinds of things, like food, animals (the big draw for us) and crafters.  Admission and parking is free.

Check out other free things to do in the area in the digital copy of WNY Family Magazine (under calendar tab).  There is always the farmers markets and garage sales (great way to teach money/math, where food comes from, colors, patterns, etc.) too!

While Melisa stands over me eating chicken nuggets, I figured I should update on Day 2.

Pretty simple day, exercise-wise: we both took a brisk 30-minute walk with the ladies after dinner. Me pushing the jogging stroller with Lucy and Zoey on board, while Melisa carried Stella in the backpack. Not as rigorous as the elliptical, but it felt good none the less. I probably did over do it a little on Day One, so it was a good idea to scale back on Day Two. Planning to hit the elliptical and possibly some weights tomorrow, though.

Day Two Meta

Weight: 190 lbs, possibly 188/189 (hard to tell on an analog scale)

Melisa:

What Jason said above.  I know its not the most strenuous activity, but I just like being outside and I think it does a lot for the spirits.  However, Stella does weigh around 20 lbs. now and I could really feel it in my legs walking around with her on my back.  With that said, it was a pretty easy day that flew by and I got to get out of the house with just Lucy which is always a treat (thanks Aunt Chris & Uncle Bill!).  Today, for probably various reasons, I felt like I was more energetic.

Sorry, peeps, not recording my weight here, but am keeping a watchful eye on it this end to see what happens!  I might record it at the end, if I lost any and possibly how much.

Jason:

I selected the elliptical today and was glad to find that it still worked after months of non usage. I really want to put it to good use to prove that our big purchase is more than just the former contents of Lucy’s cardboard house! (She still has gotten more out of the box, to date, than we have the elliptical! And it might still be that way after these 30 days. She loved that house.)

I was also pleased to re-discover how easy it is to work out using an elliptical. Very easy to over do it, which I think I did tonight. We’ll see tomorrow!

My goals for this experiment: 1) get into an exercise habit 2) lose a little weight 3) motivate me to blog more on this site

Day One Meta
Weight: 190 lbs
Exercise of choice: Elliptical for 30 minutes (5.6 miles and 411 calories burned)

Soundtrack:

1. For Once In Your Life – The Jealous Sound
2. And I’ve Seen A Bloody Shadow – Of Montreal
3. Dream at Tempo 119 – Silversun Pickups
4. Go Places – The New Pornographers
5. …And We Exhale and Roll Our Eyes In Unison – Los Campesinos!
6. Who Sold Out Now – Ignite
7. Red Dust – Iron and Wine/Calexico
8. From a Balance Beam – Bright Eyes

Melisa:

Today was the kind of day that I needed to work out but didn’t know it.  With Zoey trying to walk and crying anytime she can’t, Stella generally eating and getting into everything, Lucy in extra need of attention- I needed a little attention of my own.  I was very, very annoyed when Jason posed the idea, but knew he was right.  Plus, I hate being left out of things.  I’ve been pregnant or nursing babies with no break for my body since October 2006 (yikes that just looks scary).  Now that I am officially 1 month into freedom from lending my body in some form to others, its time to try and fix up me again.  Its been almost a year since Zoey and Stella were born and now, more than ever, I need the extra energy.

My goals for this experiment: (1) to build this into habit and exercise consistently, (2) gain more energy and (3) a little “me” time (preferably outside) and hey, it wouldn’t hurt to (4) look better too.  I’m not even going to tackle the diet stuff now.  If you saw what my days are like, you’d cram anything you can find down your trap too.

Day One Meta

Weight: between 100-200 lbs.  (seriously, did you not see what I was up to from Oct. 2007 till now?)
Exercise of Choice: Brisk walk outside (around Village to Town Hall and zig zagging neighborhoods to do a little “home renovation” research)
Soundtrack: Band of Horses, shuffled songs from all albums