Exercising will raise your energy level enough to make you want to clean your house

Recently I sent out a query looking for fitness experts who have worked with mom entrepreneurs. I wanted to speak with trainers who understood a woman's body post pregnancy and who also had an appreciation for a mom entrepreneur's busy schedule.

It is unrealistic to think that we can commit to 60 or even 30 minutes of exercise daily. We may desperately want to, but if we do, it is usually at the expense of something else just as important.

As I near 40, the thing I miss most is my energy level. I am not that active and I sit at my computer most of the day. I miss hiking, long walks, 30-mile bike rides, skiing and other activities I engaged in regularly about a decade ago (before kids).

Now my kids are older and they are very interested in these activities. It is almost like I have a chance to live again. I don't want to be left behind.

I have found that just walking for 30 minutes, three times a week has started to give me more energy. When I have the ambition to clean the house then I know something is working. Oddly enough, I sincerely enjoy exercising. I am a member of a health and fitness club that offers a great environment for all types of activities.

I am not much of an outdoors person in the winter, but this year my husband and I decided to try snowshoeing with the kids and we all love it. We have a huge backyard with many acres of woods beyond that. My husband has created paths all around our land and we try to get out every weekend (if it is above freezing).

So I sent out this query for fitness experts...I received about 50 or more emails with great tips for helping mom entrepreneurs get back in shape and feel energized. I am in the process of narrowing down the list to three to four experts whose advice I will highlight throughout 2009.

If you are ready to make the commitment to be healthy, get back and shape and feel more energized please let me know!

I want to eat everything in sight

Wednesday marks my first official week on the new Weight Watchers Momentum plan. The first week is always the hardest. I went from eating anything I wanted, cleaning my kids plates if they did not finish and late, late night eating.

I had to STOP!

In addition to losing weight and being healthier, ABC news reported tonight that eating less can actually improve memory loss. That is a very good thing since I can never remember the name of the male person I am speaking to in my house. My sons are getting kind of annoyed when I call then by the cat's name.

The new Momentum program teaches about different foods that are more filling and will satisfy you longer. This is all that is keeping me going right now. I think that much of my "hunger" in the past has been psychological.

I also have a sweet addiction. Who doesn't? At the first meeting I attended, I got a great dessert recipe that I want to share.

Light Strawberry Dessert (8 servings - 1pt./serving)

3 cups sliced strawberries

2 containers of light strawberry yogurt (I use the Weight watchers brand since it is lower in points)

half container of fat free Cool Whip

Fold all ingredients together in large bowl. Chill.

Wish me luck that when I step on the scale Wednesday it goes down instead of up.

What is the best way to maintain an exercise routine

I recently conducted a survey with 60 members from The Mom Entrepreneur Online Support Group. I asked how many women had a regular exercise routine. Thirty four responded "no", 22 responded "yes" and six members responded "other". Some of the comments included:

1. Sort of...
2. I wish!
3. Depends on the day...I love to run!!
4. Chasing my wee ones...
5. It was more regular before I became pregnant. I'm still trying to keep up, but haven't been lately.
6. No, but I really would like to. Very interesting in doing Pilate's/Yoga at home - just haven't started yet...
7. Something I have been trying to work in my schedule for 2 years!
8. At least I"m supposed to have one. I've been trying to do the Body for Life program, but getting in 6 days of exercise a week isn't easy!
9. But gearing up to setup one.
10. Will be getting back to it later in Dec (layoff due to an injury)
11. Love to do yoga, walk, hike and go to the gym
12. Used to.
13. No...but I should!

As much as I love to exercise, it has always been difficult for me to stay consistent. Something always seems to throw me off course. I prefer to go to the gym because it takes me out of the house and there are so many choices...walking track, classes, swimming, exercise equipment, etc.

The gym I go to has a daycare. I figured this would make it very easy. I could take my youngest, work out for an hour and then pick him up. That lasted a few days. My son said he did not like the daycare and when I left him there, he would cry and hold on to my leg.

I felt guilty.

So I changed the time of day that I went to the gym. I took my older son after school and he would attend The Fit Spot, an exercise room for 8-14 year old kids. At first he loved it. Then he started to complain. He was bored.

I was tired of listening to him complain.

That was back in October, before our household passed around colds and other sicknesses. Here I am, almost three months later, hoping I can start again.

Like so many mom entrepreneurs, I desperately want a routine I can commit to, but "me time" is at a premium. So in addition to the gym, I will be using the new Wii balance board and Fit program. We have also taken up snow shoeing, which the kids really seem to enjoy.

My goal is to be healthy and gain enough energy to keep up with my children.

I would love to hear ideas from readers on how you make time for exercise.

My attempt to lose the weight...again!

OK, I am starting to feel like Oprah. I can't believe I am talking about needing to lose weight again.

In 2005, I lost 30 pounds. I was so committed to keeping the weight off that I got rid of every single piece of clothing that was over size 10.

I also exercised regularly and loved it.

Then I thought I could manage it all. I was growing my company Bisson Barcelona, exercising everyday at the gym and managing my kids' schedules. I guess I felt that I did not have enough to do because I also decided to go back to school part-time during the day.

I was not able to manage it all. Eventually I stopped exercising.

Now it is 2009 and I have gained the 30 pounds back plus more.

I am going to start again. I will succeed. I always do. I always achieve my goals. It is the trait of an entrepreneur. However, with weight loss, it is not only achieving, it is maintaining. That is the tricky part.

Tuesday, I will attend a Weight Watchers meeting. They have a new Momentum program that I am interested in trying.

I recently contacted their corporate office to see if they would extend a complimentary pass to their program in exchange for me blogging about my journey. They agreed. You will receive an honest review of my assessment of this program.

Wish me luck!