12 Habits for Well-Being: Be Fit for Life

I love to get social with my stroller! I meet my mom every weekday morning for a walk, she babysits my twins and it is the perfect way to drop them off. We chat or listen to music and just take some time to enjoy the outdoors with the boys. Plus it really calms them down the rest of day. My husband and I walk up to park every Friday night, round trip it is about 4 miles and it gives us a chance to reconnect and decompress from our work week. Saturday morning the neighborhood moms all walk to the coffee shop, our caravan of strollers is growing every week. But the kids all love to see each other and we get a chance to mingle.

That is so cool, Marianne! I love that it's not only exercise but it's a social connection as well. My 3 year old and I have been able to get outside more often and play sports together, like volleyball and soccer in the backyard...it gets her energy out and gets my heart pumping. Sometimes I even push her in the jogger while rollerblading...so fun and such a good glute burn, let me tell ya!

I am not great at this, but I am trying. We attend a lot of baseball games for our sons. One thing I have found myself doing more in between games is walking the complex. Oftentimes there is someone that wants to walk with me so I can be social at the same time.

Based on a great tip I received last month during the Mindfulness challenge, I have been able to increase my steps by parking as far away as I can from entrances to wherever I am going. This has been an EASY change in behavior that has a lot of value!

Pushing while rollerblading!?! That is some major skill right there. I'm a little too accident prone to even attempt that.

As a father of two little girls we are always finding new ways to incorporate activity into our day. I've really enjoyed getting out and walking along with my girls while they learn how to ride their bike. Some days the walks turn into 1/2 mile and other days it can be a solid 2+ miles. We are all happy in the end and usually come back to playing at the playground. Being a father to two little ones offers no rest and lots of opportunities to play the games I once played as a kid myself. Soccer, t-ball, catch, kickball, swimming, or just running sprints.

I love to be outdoors but the weather, especially in the winter in MN, is not always inviting. Having children and a dog that love the snow and cold serves as a good motivator and reminds me that getting over that barrier is so worth it! Getting outside, no matter the weather, sets me on a good course both mentally and physically.

My biggest guilty pleasure is Bravo reality TV shows. I use my love for the housewives to stay motivated to use my spin bike. My rule is I can only watch my shows on my bike, it works great because it helps keep me consistent and the hour seems to fly by. I upped the ante last month, I have to ‘climb’ on the bike during the commercials.

Ok, that is awesome!

I always told myself that one day I would be the person to wake up before the work day to workout. When I first started my internship, I was so tired getting up early every morning that I would push my run to the evening and when I’d come home after work I was either too tired, lacked motivation or it was too hot. I decided I would force myself to get up in the mornings to run and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made! Running before work is both rewarding and peaceful! I’m up before majority of people so it’s quiet and peaceful when I run. Plus it’s nice to know I accomplished something before the workday and know I will be able to relax when I get home from work.