Menifee Mom: Legos, Kiddos and an Exercise Routine

This is the first installment of a weekly column by Michelle Walsh, who is a Menifee resident, a wife and mother of three young girls. She is a former teacher who enjoys running, exercise, sewing, gardening and socializing. Michelle and her family are always on the go. She likes to know what is going on around town and looks forward to writing about her adventures in our town. We hope you enjoy her perspective on life and motherhood in Menifee.

By Michelle Walsh




It’s January, you want to get fit, and now is the best time to do it, right? Every television ad is selling you a weight loss program, “Biggest Loser” season 14 just started, your local gym has no sign-up fees, and Target has Yoga Mats for half price.

Let’s do this! You’re pumped! But before you are about to sit in front of the big screen with your new best friend Jillian Michaels, you are summoned to the bathroom to wipe a tushy, then off to the kitchen to refill a Sippy cup, and you step on a Lego on your way back to the television.

By the time you limp back to your Yoga Mat, the 20-minute workout that promised to give you abs of steel is over. You feel defeated, and you haven’t even started.

I’m here to tell you that you CAN do it. Super Moms unite! Finding time to take care of you is the most important thing you can do for your family. My exercise time is my renewal time.

Here are some ways I make an exercise routine work for me and am able to stay consistent:

First, set a goal. Small goals are great to begin with -- a 20-minute walk, or run, a Zumba class, whatever interests you. Write your goals down, say them out loud, or share them on Facebook. Personally, I like to run, so finding a local race to sign up for keeps me on track and gives me a goal to work toward. You can be sure that when I post on Facebook, “Off for a 3-mile run”, it’s going to get done.

Consistency is KEY! Nothing is harder than trying to start something challenging again and again. Look at your calendar, find the periods of time when you can fit in exercise, and make it happen. I find that planning out my week and writing it down on the calendar helps. Sometimes you have to get the kids involved; that’s great. Think of the example you are setting by being a role model for a healthy lifestyle. It won’t be long before your family will know that Thursdays are Mommy’s Zumba days.

Find a support system. Sometimes it is your neighbor, your spouse, or your best friend. Don’t have anyone near and dear that likes to exercise? Try finding a support group that can help you achieve your goal. A simple online search should point you in the right direction. I have found a support group of women who like to run. We keep each other motivated and on track.

If you make it a priority, exercising and raising a family at the same time is not only possible, but very rewarding. Setting goals, being consistent and finding support along the way can help you achieve a routine that can be maintained year-round. So grab that Yoga Mat, your running shoes, or your Zumba skirt, and go show Jillian how it’s done!