Wellness Challenge: work it out!

A few weeks ago, I began a series called the Wellness Challenge. This series is all about an issue that I am passionate about and something that is so important for all of us, basically- caring for ourselves. [If you noticed I took a few Thursdays off from posting on this series, it's because I was actually nursing sick kids or myself back to health. Oddly enough, those days seemed to fall on Thursday].

Because I am also passionate about being frugal, I wanted to offer some ideas about how to get in shape without breaking the bank or without even joining a gym.

Thankfully, because I am a certified fitness instructor and have taught at gyms for several years, we've never had to pay a gym membership in the past. Now, our budget is a bit tighter because we are living on one income and quite honestly, the time budget has gotten tighter, too. Driving time to go to a gym, etc. all adds up. In addition, I, personally don't like putting my infants in a gym childcare.

My point is, we do not currently belong to a gym, but my husband and I are both trying to get back into the pre-children habits we had of consistent exercise and fitness.

There are three important components to fitness, when it comes to exercise, that are so important to overall change and results. These include: cardio, strength, and flexibility.

Below is a list of ideas (including the three components of fitness) that are free or inexpensive that you can do without even going to a gym:

CARDIO

*take a long brisk walk {one of my favorites!}

*jogging

*aerobics

-rent DVD's from your local library

-Netflix and/or ROKU offer streaming fitness "classes"

-buy an inexpensive video that you will consistently use

-get a group of friends together and Zumba or just dance at home

*rollerblading

*biking

*hiking

*mini trampoline at home (often called rebounding)

*jump rope

*stair climbing at home or outdoors

*take a class with your spouse or friend (i.e. dance or swimming)

STRENGTH [my favorite way to get fit- I literally feel stronger just doing it]

*buy (from a garage sale or discount store) some 5lb or 8lb hand weights

*plyometrics - push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups [while you are at the park with the kids] : )

*flex bands

*pilates

-rent videos from your library

-Netflix and/or ROKU offer streaming fitness "classes"

-check online for ideas or printouts/tutorials

*walking lunges and squats at home

FLEXIBILITY/STRETCHING

*yoga

*basic stretching when you get up in the morning

*stretching before and after exercising

Have fun and enjoy these amazing benefits of exercise:

*increased fat burning

*increased energy

*increased muscle strength

*increased mental stimulation

*flexibility

*muscle tone and fat loss

*increased blood flow/circulation

*strengthen heart and lungs

*increased confidence

*stress releif (yay!)

Where's Doodle? (eleventh and final edition)

Checking out our new storage bins and making sure they are sturdy enough for her blocks.

At the library, getting ready to be "trampled" by a llama - yes, a llama at our library. Our library rocks.

The owner was putting her big sister up on it's back, while his partner was engrossed in another conversation. The llama got spooked and knocked poor Doodle over and she went under it's belly.

Her sisters asked for a llama for their birthday....her, not so much. : ) FYI: She came out fine or I wouldn't be so casual about it.

Our little Doodle is as active as ever, but I thought we'd move on from "Where's Doodle?" for awhile [unless she inspires a really good post]. Thanks for sharing these fun and adventurous moments with us.

Our [very pink] homeschool room

Our newest addition....book ledges from Ikea. Love them!

These desks are from an old school sale ($4) that my amazing in laws brought from PA. Thanks mom & dad! Chairs were a Christmas gift from my parents (from Ikea)...once again..thanks mom and dad!

The teacher's a.k.a mommy's desk. It was about to be trashed from the organization my husband works at and he knew I'd love it. He transformed it!

10 drawer storage carts (from ebay) that I plan to use as workboxes in the future.

A few years ago, we visited a family's home for lunch. They had eight children and homeschooled all of them. I vividly remember walking into their "classroom" and was amazed. It was so adorable. There was a teacher's desk and several small desks for the kids. It was colorful and organized and looked like a great place for learning to take place.

At the time, our kids were just babies and toddlers and we had not yet officially decided to homeschool. In fact, we were in a transition period in life and were living with my husband's family (bouncing between two states) and didn't have our own place. I thought about what a dream something like that would be if we ever did homeschool.

Anyway, a few years have passed. We have since decided to homeschool and moved to a different one of the two states. God blessed us with a house (that happened to have an extra room) and my rockin' husband (who's my biggest cheerleader in this journey) transformed it into my dream classroom/homeschool room.

It all seemed to happen so fast and I'm so thankful every time I go in there. We all LOVE this room! I totally know it's possible to create a great learning environment even if it's not a separate room and a lot of people do it. For me, the separation helps to organize my thoughts [and papers].

Thank you Lord and thank you Jason!

Frugal Friday: my favorite deals

Coffee-mate is giving away coupons for a free creamer to the first 200,000 participants beginning 12pm EST. Yum!

March is national craft month. Michaels is offering another free craft event this weekend.

Where's Doodle? (tenth edition)

This is our third daughter… a sweet and very compliant one, who has inherited the nickname "Doodle". She takes daily naps and goes to bed like clockwork. She enjoys most everything from riding in the car to playing with her sisters and even entertains herself for long periods of time. She is such a joy to our family!

Let’s not be mistaken, however. She is full of energy and adventure. As to keep up with her older sisters, she began walking at eight months. We were so proud and she….oh so delighted.

Since then, she has been known to climb the stairs – on the inside and outside of the staircase….GASP! She has also scaled tables, chairs, drawers, the fireplace hearth, desks – you name it. We have found her in the most inconspicuous places. Each Wednesday, I will share a glimpse of them with you in the "Where's Doodle?" segment.

This girl is on the move, which means so are we.

What's your busy toddler doing these days?

Why we choose to homeschool - part 3

The last two Tuesdays, I have focused on why we choose to homeschool. Last week's post focused on some questions that I have asked myself, I have asked others and been asked by others.

Again today, I will discuss a few more of these questions/concerns regarding homeschooling.

Are you [am I] really qualified to teach children?

As for me, personally, I have a Master's degree. Is it in Physics, Biology, History or Geometry? No! Have I ever had fears running through my head of our children not graduating or that I won't be able to do this? Absolutely! There are SO many subjects that I'm probably going to be re-learning right along with my children. However, I plan to take it one year at a time and one grade or subject at a time. Besides, I'm trying not to focus too much on Physics and Geometry right now. We're working on letters and numbers : )

Also, as many people don't know, many states have free online courses through the public school system for backup or for people that really want to homeschool, but need some extra assistance.

Thankfully, my biggest hope in our homeschooling journey is that it's perfectly OK if I can't do it in my own strength because:

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

As a Christian, don't you think your kids should go to school to be a "light"?

To me, that is a loaded question. Do we want our children to be a light for Christ? Yes. Do we want them to learn to love unconditionally and accept others as God would want them to? Yes. Do we want them to be able to learn how to deal with tough situations and life's challenges and respond in a Godly fashion? Absolutely! Do we want them to learn to reach out and help others understand the love of Jesus? Yes, in a huge way!!

However, we have chosen to take this very small window of time that they are home with us to hopefully help them better prepare for those challenges that will inevitably come. We, personally, don't think that letting them learn those things by experience (away from home) during their formative years is the best strategy. [Remember, that is our family's decision...not a rule.]

These younger years are the times when they are learning who they are, what they want to do and be. Who God desires for them to be and what He created them for. As kids, tweens and teenagers, they don't and won't have all of the answers. In fact, they'll have soooooo many questions. We prefer that they don't learn the majority of their responses from their peers and teachers, but from our family and our life in faith- to the best of our ability.

Besides, life presents itself with plenty of situations, hardships and opportunities for character building, even without sending a child to school. They will have the rest of their lives to let their light shine....hopefully very brightly!

Frugal Friday: my favorite deals

Old Navy has $4 kids clothes - plus 2% cash back if you shop Old Navy through Ebates.

Burger King is offering free fries this weekend with St. Paddy's sauce. Yum!

Our Barnes & Noble is having Lucky Leprechaun story time this Saturday. Check your local store for this and other free events.