![Mini Challenge: Get Moving! [Run for the Shoes!] Get moving mini challenge Mini Challenge: Get Moving! [Run for the Shoes!]](http://wellnessmama.com/wp-content/uploads/Get-moving-mini-challenge.jpg)
If you’re like me, getting a pair of new shoes is much more exciting than running Tabata sprints. (Love Tabatas? I salute you!). Today, I decided to combine the two to make the latter more exciting.
Statistically, getting regular exercise is one area that many of us are lacking in, and despite the multi-billion dollar gym and training industry, it isn’t always something that requires a gym membership or expensive equipment. I have a couple pairs of minimilist/barefoot shoes and a kettlebell, and these have served me better than a gym membership ever did because it isn’t about the equipment as much as it is about actually just doing it and learning to enjoy it!
The good news is that exercise can be incorporated into daily life rather than being something that you must set aside time for. Things like kettlebells can make a fast 5-minute home workout easy to sneak in while cooking dinner, or you can do a full set of Tabata sprints in 4 minutes (and they’ve been found more effective than long distance running for both weight loss and increasing fitness level!)
We can all manage to find 5 minutes a day to sneak in some kind of movement, and it doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate exercise daily and what I aim for each week:
Kettlebells:
I’m a big fan of Kettlebells because they can be easily done at home in a short amount of time and they don’t take up much room (unlike, say, a bowflex…). You’d be surprised how intense your workout can be from just a cannon ball with a handle, but kettlebells can give you one of the most intense whole-body workouts you’ve ever completed.
The Russians have used kettlebells to train their elite athletes and secret service for years and now even celebrities are getting on board because they give great strength and definition and don’t add any bulk for women.
My two favorite kettlebell workout are Swings (video how to in this post) either in internvals (30 seconds of swings, 30 seconds of rest, and repeat for 5 minutes) or just doing 75-100 swings without rest with the heaviest kettlebell I can use with good form.
Sprints:
Sprinting can be much more effective than distance running and it takes much less time! This is one case of definite quality over quantity.
I use a modified Tabata routine interspersed with a longer rest routine. I usually run one set of Tabata sprints (sprint 20 seconds, rest 10, repeat for 4 minutes) followed by a long rest period and a 30 second sprint followed by a 60 second rest (repeat 8 times). Followed by another set of Tabatas. In case that was confusing, here is a broken down version:
- Sprint 20 seconds
- Rest 10 seconds
- Repeat above two steps 8 times
then
- Sprint 30 seconds
- Rest 60 seconds
- Repeat above two steps 8 times
then
- Sprint 20 seconds
- Rest 10 seconds
- Repeat above two steps 8 times
These could be done running, on a stationary bike, with kettlebells or any other activity that can be done quickly. I don’t recommend swimming for sprints because it doesn’t have the benefits of weight bearing exercise. You could also use any one part of that, and even just one 4-minute burst would be beneficial!
Strength Training:
I am a big proponent of exercise that utilizes body weight as it can be done anywhere, it can be done relative to your fitness level, and it is less likely to cause injury than free weights (especially if weights are done with bad form!). Body weight exercises can also be done quickly and without any added equipment, making them perfect for a workout while the kids are napping. I do a total of about 20 minutes each time I do strength, though work up to more, or start with less as needed. I focus primarily on the following exercises:
- Pull ups -These can be done on a tree branch or a portable pull up bar in a door frame. Start with assisted pull ups if needed.
- Push ups -Start with wall push ups or “girl” push ups if you need to work your way up. Work up to doing them with your feet elevated or in a handstand.
- Squats- Start small if you need to and work up to a full squat.
- Planks- One of the best all-over exercises you can do. Rest on elbows, forearms and toes. Hold as long as possible. Repeat several times. Once you can do this, mix it up by raising one arm or leg and holding the position or by holding in a low-push up position instead of resting on forearms.
The Contest:
To help us get motivated to get moving, I’ve paired with Scott and Lauren, founders of the Naked Foot 5K and with Altra to give away a pair of Altra Eve Barefoot Running Shoes! The Naked Foot 5K is an awesome race that I’d encourage you to check out, especially if you need a fitness goal to keep you moving! I’ll be running the Nashville race in September, and they have races around the country. Every race has fun activities for the family, and they take donations of gently used shoes to benefit Soles for Souls, which gives shoes to those in need around the world.
As I said, I’m also a big fan of barefoot/minimal shoes because they let you run and move more naturally without artificially raising your heel. Some people find great relief from joint problems by switching to barefoot shoes (just don’t start with sprints on concrete!). I’m so excited to give away a pair of Altra Eves! I was able to try these out the other day and they are incredibly comfortable!
If there is a race near you, please check out the Naked Foot 5K and consider running and donating any extra shoes you have! You don’t have to run barefoot, but the courses are on grass and soft turf so you definitely could and there is even a shorter race for kids!
How to Enter:
Enter in the widget below. Make a plan for how you will incorporate regular exercise into your life and tell me about it in the comments (or tell me what you already do if you’ve got this dialed in). The contest runs until 11:59 pm on July 19th and one lucky participant will receive a new pair of shoes! Ready, set…. GO!
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10-Minute a Day Workout Plan
Barefoot Running 101














