Rat Race = Aerobic Exercise

Posted on September 25, 2014

Yesterday, ah yesterday . . . at work by 5:30 a.m., left at 3:30 to pick up my son for an appointment, stopped at home for about 15 minutes, opened mail (today is trash day), went with son back up to high school for marching band practice. I helped resort the newly dry-cleaned marching band uniforms, sewed on buttons and fixed hems, home at 9:00.

And I ate tortilla chips with mozzarella cheese. Now, before this I would have used a bowl, and done two layers of chips and cheese. Yesterday, I used ten chips and a 1/4 cup of cheese and 1 Nuked it, added 1 Tbs salsa, and ate it, along with 24 oz of water, while talking to my husband.

I was still ended up right at my targeted daily calorie goal.

Today, I was back at work at 5:30 a.m. and am now heading over to our blood drive. Lunch with my blood drive friends (we have a blood drive every 56 days and then there is a group of us who, because we can't work out after donating, have lunch together . . . we call it Blood Drive Thursdays).

Then I am leaving to pick up my son to take him to another appointment. But, we are having dinner at home this evening, which will include sliced apples (it is the only thing currently on the menu . . . )

So, is living in a rat race considered aerobic exercise?

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Natasha P.

09/25/2014 1:45PM

It sure feels like aerobic exercise!!! I like that you portion controlled your favorite snack... I am really missing the tortilla chip/cheese snack that I used to have every day when I got home from work...

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Diane F.

09/25/2014 11:55AM

Planning Planning Planning. It takes a little extra time but it will reduce some of the stress and guilt you feel eating on the run.

Plan your meals and snacks 3 to 7 days out so you can go shopping on a good day. I avoid the rush hour crowds to keep the blood pressure down!

Bring a cooler to work and the kid functions so you can pack enough food to get you and the kids through until dinner.

Almost all my meals are 30 minutes or less. I personally use that cooking time as "me" time to decompress. My 4 kids know to give me some space and that I'm available to help with their problems the entire rest of the evening.

Cold weather is coming. That is when I remember the good old Crockpot.

I hope some of these ideas help you. I'm currently in the phase of kids in college dropping in for meals without any advance notice. I'm waiting for them to get the clue that I'm no longer cooking to feed a crowd (6-8) and the dinners are mostly salads right now.

Mary Lynn likes this comment.

Gale R

09/25/2014 9:53AM

If it is....I've been living there for the last 15 years when I acquired 3 kids....the baby graduated in the Spring. But, I "blame" a lot of my weight gain on the rat race that I didn't run very well...eating fast food, eating whilst sitting in the bleachers/lawn chair, eating whilst waiting in the car for kids to be done with their activs. Should have worked in more movement, and obviously better food choices. It is aerobic if you are managing it well !!

Mary Lynn likes this comment.