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Guess what Susan and I fight about?
Susan and I fight about who gets to go for a walk! LOL
I am a bit of a workaholic. But because of my dog, I have to regularly stop working and take my dog out for walks. They are often short, 15-30 minutes, and peppered throughout the day, so they don’t seem to take a big chunk out of my workday.
Susan, on the other hand, while being a workaholic, is also addicted to exercise! Which really is a good thing! But, when we have hours of work to do, and she insists that she must go for her daily walk, I get frustrated! “We don’t have time for your walks!” I protest.
But really — Susan is smart! She knows that her walks increase her productivity, her creativity, as well as benefit her health. In fact, when Susan doesn’t take her power walks she gets depressed and stressed from the huge demands on her time. A daily 45-60 minutes walk keeps her mood, her weight, and her life balanced!
Simple but HUGE
Have you ever really considered the impact a simple activity like walking can have on your overall health?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, not only does walking strengthen your heart, but it is good for your brain and your bones.
Studies show that you can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by incorporating at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise, like brisk walking, five or more days a week.
Get Fit!
Walking is an excellent way to improve physical fitness.
It’s easy and inexpensive. (It is FREE to take a walk!)
That’s why Weight Watchers is announcing its 3rd Annual Walk-It Challenge. This challenge will encourage the importance of physical activity and its impact on overall health.
Team Up!
Team up with your family and friends and walk a 5K on May 22nd, 2011.
Starting now (April) Weight Watchers members and online subscribers will be given access to a six-week training plan. Find tips, motivational materials and support to help reach your goals of walking a 5K.
You can find a walk already taking place in your area or map a route for your own 5K. You can even join one of the 58 Weight Watchers 5K walks being held across the country hosted by the Road Runners Club of America. Find a Walk It 5K near you.
Visit Weight Watchers ONLINE!
Visit Weight Watchers for motivational tips, encouragement from fellow walkers and tools to find a walking team in your area.
Weight Watchers will donate $100,000 to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a non-profit founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, to reverse the trend of childhood obesity in America.
Join WW Points Plan entirely online.
Subscribe to Weight Watchers and follow the new WW Points Plus plan completely online!
WW Online helps you stay on track wherever you are. With over 3,000 recipes and plenty of online tools to help you reach your goals. What can be more convenient than having all the support you need, right at your fingertips?
Yes — Susan Wins!
As much as my workaholic ways might try to keep me staring at my computer for 12 hours straight, I know that Susan is right and exercise is the best thing I can do for my health AND my business! (And thank goodness I have a dog who forces me to get outside and moving, when temptation to keep working is too strong!)
What about YOU?
What is your favorite way to exercise?
Do you incorporate walking or other forms of exercise in your daily habits?
Do you find it hard to tear away from life’s demands and make time for exercise?
Please Note: We are working with Weight Watchers online and this post is part of our promotional campaign. But, as usual, we are posting because we mean every word we write!
Written by mom blogger, Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom.
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom.
marissa says
Wow, very cool that WW is doing this 🙂 My favorite exercise is anything outdoors, especially running! I’ve really tried to motivate myself to run my first half marathon, we’ll see if I build up the courage??!!!
Sydney says
I’m like Susan… I’m addicted to exercise, and I usually walk 45+ minutes a day! It helps me feel energized and motivated. However, I just became a blog designer and I am spending more and more time online for my business! Sometimes I really don’t want to go take a walk anymore, but I know I need to do it!
Janice - The Fitness Cheerleader says
Like Rachel, I too include my children in my exercise. I run while my 5yo pretends she’s the road runner and I’m the coyote pushing my double jogger trying to catch up. With the help of my kids, I’ll be running a half marathon on May 29th. The kids also like playing “Fitness Class” with me!
Good luck to everyone doing the 5k on May 22 – I’ll have a 10k training run to do that day, so I’ll be doing it along with you all!
Rachel says
I love walking and running. I seem to always find time to squeeze that fitness in my day. Most of the time I end up running/walking while pushing the double jogger (while my 5yo rides his bike next to us). I do not follow the WW program but have heard WONDERFUL things! Best of luck to you girls with your future 5K! I will be joining you girls on the road. 🙂
Coley says
While I am not doing WW, I am watching my calories, exercising, and trying to lose weight and have lots 22 lbs since Jan! Since it’s been a bit nicer lately, I’ve been able to take walks and I am loving it!! I’ve been taking my son (who is 14 with cerebral palsy and in a wheelchair) and he just loves it too. Our ultimate goal is to walk a 5 K with my Dad who lost over 100 lbs on WW!!
I though tend to be a workaholic too and have to force myself to break away. Hope you are both able to break away for more walks in the future!
Homemom3 says
That is GREAT Coley. It sounds like we are right beside each other in weight loss. Are you using any of the sites for counting calories? Good luck to you and your son on walking the 5K. Congrats to your dad for losing 100lbs!
Coley says
Thanks for the support! I am using Spark People (www.sparkpeople.com) to track my calories and exercise.
Homemom3 says
I’m no where near walking the 5k yet, but I am doing the one in town we have this October. 🙂 Woo hoo! As for fun ways to do exercise? I use my treadmill and I walk 35-45 minutes outside with my kids (fast paced) or lately I’ve been popping in my Zumba Dvd. Zumba is a blast.
Melissa says
I have been on weight watchers for a little over a year. Last year when they announced their walking challenge and each person who participated in a 5k got a 5k charm I really thought it was crazy. I couldn’t imagine doing a 5k. But a couple weeks of thinking it over I decided to take the challenge and do a 5k. That 5k led to 3 others last year & I love it. I am working my way up to running a whole 5k now. Walking/running has become my exercise of choice and try to do it most days of the week.
Janice says
FABULOUS Melissa!!! Way to go girl!!!
Heather Belden says
I’ve Been using my Elyptical,I try to get in 30 minutes 5 days a week.When the Weather warms up I will do more walking My youngest two Love going for walks .It is hard to find time to put Exercise in my schedule but so worth it.Good for Body and Mind.
Janice says
Good for you! Yes – so hard to get exercise in there. So helpful when the weather is good and we can get the kids out with us!
Dianne - Bunny Trails says
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been a WW member for awhile, but am slacking so much these days. I haven’t even been to a meeting in the past couple of weeks. Seeing this may be just the kick in the pants I need to get moving. Looking forward to it! 🙂
Janice says
GO GIRL! 🙂 You have us rooting for you!
Kelli says
Your so right. My sister in law has been training for weeks now. I really need to get out there with her and just lay all of my excuses to rest.
Susan says
It’s so tough b/c as busy moms our excuses aren’t just excuses, they are real reasons why it is almost impossible to make time to do it. But somehow, we’ve just gotta make time for it.
Heather says
I have been doing WW for a few months now & am loving it! Most people look at me and say, “Oh you don’t need to lose weight!” especially after having three kids & still being a pretty slender person. But I do it for me. Because I don’t feel the same as I did 5 years ago when we first got married…three kids take a toll on your body! Along with WW I’ve been doing the Couch to 5k program with my iPhone (along with the WW app…love those things!) and feel so good now that I’m watching what I eat & exercising regularly. It’s not only me time but it does like you said, puts me in a better mood & helps me to be more creative & function much better! Love this post!
Susan says
Good for you Heather! That is fantastic that you’re taking care of yourself… and you’re so right about doing it for yourself!!!