Quick and Frugal Workouts

Our lives are full of excuses.  Including the endless excuses for not working out.  On the top of the list are lack of time and lack of money.  But really, are these excuses valid?

Here are 5 quick and easy ideas for working out in  your everday life:

1. The good old standbys-  What ever happened to pushups and squats?  Add to that some crunches and planks, lunges and wall squats, and you've got a great workout with no equipment that you can still do during nap time.  
2. Jump rope- Pick up a jump rope at the dollar store and you have an instant workout.  Try challenging your kids to see who can jump the longest, do the fanciest footwork, or come up with the silliest rhymes.  It builds into a great cardio workout.
3. Walking and running- Just invest in a good pair of running shoes and you're set to go.  As an added bonus, walking the neighborhood sets a great example for your children and gives you a chance to spend time with your neighbors.  Make the route and time similar, and your kids will start to look forward to it.
4. Playground equipment- Sure the money bars are a little short, but just tuck your feet under and you've got a great upper body workout.  Chase your kids, see who can pump their feet higher in the air, or skip the longest around the equipment.  You may not look like a kid again, but you'll feel like one.
5. Yoga or pilates video- I am a huge pilates advocate and own a couple of videos myself.  But when I was pregnant, I discovered a huge variety available at my local library.  And if yoga or pilates isn't your thing, look into the other workout videos while you're there.  It's a great way to try out a new workout without stumbling through a class or investing in a private collection of videos.  And because there's such a great selection, your workout can constantly change, keeping your muscles guessing and challenged.

So what's your excuse again?  

Check out these other great Frugal Friday ideas at Biblical Womanhood.