New Lily

A Go-To Workout When You Are Lost at the Gym

We've all been there...at a gym, surrounded by exercise, and no motivation...

We’ve all been there…at a gym, surrounded by exercise, and no motivation…

My gym is the local Y (YMCA), which here in Charlotte, North Carolina, is extensive and offers incredible amenities. Although I don’t get to the Y much anymore, last week I found myself there while #6 (Grace) was at rowing practice (her team practices at the Y when they can’t get on the lake).

Surrounded by rooms of equipment, machines, free weights, and even climbing walls, I was at a loss of what to do.  Has that ever happened to you?  I was standing there with more exercise opportunities than I could ask for, any workout at my fingertips, and nothing enticed me.

Lacking in motivation to create my own workout and typically ill-timed for a group exercise class, I walked the gym.  I guess I figured some exercise machine would reach out and grab me.  None did and so I spent at least 10 minutes wandering around, looking pretty pathetic actually.

After passing an exercise bike, a rowing machine, and a treadmill at least five times, it dawned on me that I now only had 45 minutes left before Grace would be done with her practice.  Finally I decided to get on all three for 15 minutes each. At least I wouldn’t be bored. [Read more…]

Exercise Should Relieve Stress, Not Create It

Whitney-on-ball-resizedI was talking to a friend the other day.  He had read one of my blog posts and was asking if I was training for a triathalon.  This launched us into a discussion about biking. I explained why I don’t like it.  It takes a lot of time.  The equipment is expensive.  After two crashes, it scares me.  “Basically,” I said, “I want my workouts to relieve stress…not create it.”

That short conversation got me thinking.  What does exercise do for me?  It’s a whole lot more than physical.  Yes, it keeps me fit, but after all my years of pounding the pavement, cranking out pushups, or tweeking my perfect strength routine, I have come to believe that the most substantial benefit of fitness is what it does for my peace of mind. [Read more…]

Winning By Losing…Have You Read This Book?

Most of us, by the time we are in our forties (some even earlier), have discovered that losing weight or even maintaining our ideal weight can be more difficult than when we were younger! Metabolism starts to slow, exercise routines become routine, and even our attitudes need revamping as we age. In other words, most of us understand the meaning of hitting a plateau when it comes to our weight. However, knowing what to do when this happens can be confusing. There are lots of diets out there claiming to be the answer as well as plenty of promising new exercise programs designed to recharge our system. It’s hard to know where to turn. [Read more…]

How to Be Your Own Cheerleader

Motivation is relative.. .You can ask me about fitness, but please don’t ask me about organization!

I often get asked  how it is that I remain motivated to stay in shape.  Frankly I am always a little confused on how to answer this question because I think it is relative.  I am highly motivated when it comes to exercise…but that is mostly because I actually like to exercise!  It really isn’t a chore for me to workout…I not only  enjoy the results of doing it, I really love doing it!  I realize that this is not true for everyone.  For some people, working out is a chore, it’s a real effort, and it can be very tedious.  I understand these feelings however, because while that is not at all how I feel in regards to fitness, I totally relate to feeling that way about many other things.  For instance, getting organized  is a chore for me. Trying to get my schedule in order or even all the things in my house in order is a monumental effort.  Other people I know thrive on organization.  They are whizzes with a calendar, never forget a birthday, and have all their cabinets categorized.  While staying organized is fun for them (maybe because they are good at it), for me it is forever frustrating! [Read more…]

Move…Now!

drill sergeant
MOVE is a word my sister-in-law is thinking about lately. I talked to her a few weeks ago on the phone and she told me that word is on her mind because she has decided to make it her axiom. It is her rallying cry to get her to …well…to Move.
Maybe we all need a little motto to do the things that we really don’t want to do. For her, it is making time for fitness. Whether lifting some free weights or going for a walk, she has decided that she needs to stop the excuses and get moving. So throughout the day she thinks …Move!

It made me wonder, what word could motivate me to do things I really don’t want to do? Could one word challenge me in the same way that the word move challenges my sister-in-law? I thought about it. I am a procrastinator. Whether it is the laundry piling up, the call to the insurance company I need to make, or getting the dogs to the vet, if I can put it off till later, I will! I use the excuse that I am too busy… I can’t possibly get to that now. The truth is that I will be “too busy” for a long time! So I have decided that my one-word motto is NOW. Get the laundry done Now. Call to make an appointment Now. Clean that closet Now. I am beginning to think there might be a little drill sergeant that tiny word!

What is your motto? Can you come up with one word that will challenge you to do something you know you should do, but don’t really want to? Share it with us!

Quote of the Week: Always Upward!

pier-frassatiQuote of the Week: Verso l’Alto…Always Upward! Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

I have always been fascinated by Pope John Paul II. What many people don’t know about this incredible man of God, is that he was a fine athlete and outdoorsman as well. Even during the early years of his papacy, John Paul II was hiking, swimming, and running. He was criticized, in fact, for jogging in the Vatican Gardens, since tourists could see him from the top of the dome of St. Peters. When he was questioned about the cost of installing a pool so he could swim laps in the summer, he said, “It’s cheaper than a new conclave”. [Read more…]

Youth is a Time for Extraordinary Toil…

swimming1Quote of the Week: Youth is a time for extraordinary toil. Plato

I witnessed something extraordinary yesterday. It happened at a swim meet (Tarheel State) in Huntersville, NC. At this meet there were a lot of very fast swims, best times, and records pushed. But the extraordinary thing that I saw wasn’t any of those things. [Read more…]

9 Kid Fitness on WBT Radio!

WBT Radio Show9 Kid Fitness was featured on WBT Radio’s “Health Headlines” show on Sunday, March 13, 2011! Listen to the 8-10 minute segment to hear Whitney (that’s me) interviewed by the “Bod Squad” (Stacy Simms, Alan Tyson, and Dr. Russ Greenfield).
The weekly Sunday radio show with the Bod Squad features important health issues and trends that affect families.
During the interview we discuss the 9 Kid Fitness website, pelvic floor issues, and ways that busy moms can stay fit. Click on the link below and go to the 3/13 radio show. The segment begins at the 10:00 mark. Thanks for listening, and let me know what you think!
9 Kid Fitness on WBT Radio

Saddling up Anyway

saddleIt is scary to do something new! For some people, embarking on an exercise program that involves commitment and resoltion-making, is scary. For me, beginning this website is more than a little scary.
But I have decided that it is good for me to get out of my comfort zone. How many times have I told my kids to face their challenges head on?! Hopefully, through this conversation, we all can encourage each other, and be better for it!
Welcome to 9 Kid Fitness!
Thanks for coming to see the site. Hopefully you will see something that rings a bell for you, and you’ll join in the dialogue.
As a part of this website, I will include a weekly quote that may reflect some of the posts for that week.

Quote of the Week:

Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway! John Wayne