how do you stay in shape?

This seems to be a never ending battle, staying in shape. I would usually say that round is a shape right? That is a joke my husband and I have with each other. I too try to weight train. my husband and I have our own weight lifting area down in our basement. It is not big and we don't have state of the art equipment, but we do keep each other semi-motivated. We lift about 3 times a week, dividing up two muscle groups a night. If we have an off week I have "The Firm" tapes and dvds that are a total body sculpt collection. On days that we don't lift I try to run or walk. We life on a hill so to get home the last 10 min of my walk is all up hill. It makes my legs get a good tingling feeling after I'm done. So at least 5-6 days a week I do something. I guess I maintain more than lose weight, but it works. I also like to kickbox to tae-bo tapes too. I like a work out that makes me sweat but doesn't take the entire day either. Before I had my son I found it easiest to get my workouts done in the morning. Now I shoot for anytime that I can get one in. If I plan anything he seems to have something else planned. I like to try to get a little extra in here and there, even if it is only 10 min here and there it all adds at the end of the day. I am proud to say that after having my son I did lose all my baby weight and fit back into my clothes. I feel like I have accomplished something.

I guess when it comes to me, its not about staying in shape but more of trying to get in shape... I tried walking/running by myself, exercising using DVDs by myself and going to the gym by myself and I have failed to remain consistent. Now, what I do is I attend classes in the gym 4 times a week, and I've discovered that this work for me quite fine. The knowledge that I have to be there on a specific day and time keeps me responsible, and I enjoy working out with other people who are also trying to achieve the same goals as me. So, thats how I'm able to make sure that I'm active one way or another always.

Since I had a hip replacement a couple of years ago I've had to find low impact exercise, gone are the days of my cross country running. That's okay, I like to walk a lot, I ride my bike just about everywhere. I've also joined a rec center and they have tons of stuff so working out never gets boring. Swimming is good and so are those virtual bicycling courses. I'm not sure what the name is but you log on and compete against other riders. Its pretty addictive and I break a good sweat each time. I do weights 3 times a week and my goal of 50 pushups is looking good. Another way is to read through some mens mags, those guys have abs of steel and that's a good motivator.

I have to admit that I am not one to lift weights. I think it is a good idea to stay fit. I would like to more often, however I have been pretty busy with my four year old son and keeping up with being a mother. I guess it isn't a great excuse, but I try! I try to drink water and take care of myself.