SacMomsClub.com

Kelli (SAHM of Logan 8, and Whitney 7): With the Olympics kicking off this week, it's really got me pumped up. Just the other day I thought Mark Spitz had nothing on me doing my 30 swim laps at the gym!

Jen (DCM of Jacob 5, and Caleb, 2): Better yet, how about that Dara Torres? A 41-year-old mother of a toddler, kicking teenage butt all over the Olympic pool!

Kelli: I don't know whether to be inspired or feel inadequate...

Jen: Definitely something to mull over with a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

Kelli: Most definitely. But that won't do me any favors with that last five pounds I'd like to lose.

Jen: Show me a mom who doesn't want to lose at least 5 more pounds...

Kelli: ...and I'll show you Angelina Jolie with a personal trainer, personal chef and nutritionist.

Jen: You know, I once read that each baby you have results in at least a 10-pound gain two years after their birth - per child! Why wasn't this information included in the waiting room at the doctor's office?

Kelli: It wasn't until my daughter was nearly 2 that I realized she wasn't a baby anymore but my baby weight was still hanging on as if she were.

Jen: Same thing with me - back to normal after 9 months with the older son, and (ahem) almost back to normal now. And yes, my "baby" is 2.

Kelli: Well, I decided to finally take the bull by the horns and got a hand-me-down double jogger. Soon I had a posse of mommy group friends with their joggers and we started to hit the bike trail two to three times a week.

Jen: I think the social aspect is HUGE. When you make a commitment and a promise to someone else, it seems like you are more likely to follow through with it.

Kelli: It's true. There were plenty of stops with crying babies, retrieving of shoes tossed out of the jogger, doling out of snacks so we could jog a little further, things I don't think I'd have suffered through solo.

It didn't matter how whiny my kids got, I really looked forward to reclaiming an exercise routine and needed that time with other moms to chat and commiserate. The added benefit was weight loss through exercise and feeling good about myself again.

Jen: For me, I have to schedule my gym time ruthlessly with my work schedule. Trying to balance work and home it can be hard finding the motivation to work out as well, but when I do it's a great feeling.

The gym I found near my work has helped me kick off an exercise program in January I really like and am managing to still stick to. Plus, at the office, many of the women walk during lunch time and pack healthy lunches from home rather than eating out at a restaurant.

Kelli: Excellent! I was wondering when you found the time to look so good. Our little self-preservation jogging group ended up kicking it up a notch, adding fun runs to our routine to give us a goal. That's when I realized I could also feed my competitive edge and sense of accomplishment I missed from giving up my career to be home with the kids.

Jen: I love the 5ks myself. And they are so family-oriented now with the kid runs, the bounce houses, and the pre- and post-race activities. But, my next goal is to do a half marathon next year. I always swore I wouldn't run more than 5 miles, but I'm starting to feel the need to challenge myself.

Kelli: I also think that's important for our kids to see modeled -- the value of healthy living, working hard to achieve goals and the sense of accomplishment when you challenge yourself. But mostly that Mommy can still run those young whipper snappers into the ground.

Jen: I totally agree. I think it's key to set an active example and to make activity a part of children's life very early on. We try to do a lot of outdoor activities together as a family and get exercise disguised as family time.

Now that my oldest can ride a bike (sort of), we're also planning to go more places on our bike. Saves gas AND burns calories. An ideal combination.

Kelli: Speaking of combinations, me and a mom from our original running group branched off a few years ago into sprint distance triathlons and I love it. It gives me motivation when I tempted to forgo exercise, it keeps me in great shape and it fulfills an important part of my persona as a former competitive athlete.

Jen: Wow, that's so inspiring!

Kelli: Actually, it allows me to eat chili cheese fries and a strawberry shake at Willie's.

Jen: For me, it's the Black and Tan Shake at Leatherby's.

Kelli: You know Dara Torres is going to be holding up that gold medal with one hand and slurping down a Black and Tan with the other.

Jen: And then she better jump right back in that pool because it's going to go straight to her butt.

Kelli: You know it. Those Speedos are so unforgiving...

Kelli Wheeler is a Sacramento stay-at-home mom of two, who went from one-sixty on the scale post-baby to one forty-five on the clock in her latest triathlon.

Jen Hall is a Sacramento dual-career mom of two, who ignores the scale and only "weighs" herself by whether or not her skinny jeans fit!

Ten Ways to Add Exercise to Your Routine

1. Join a gym. Many gyms run specials and promotions making it affordable and mom-friendly with on-site kid clubs.

2. Have the kids exercise with you. If they're young, put them in a jogger. Have them ride a bike while you jog. Ride bikes together on the bike trail.

3. Buddy up. Exercise is more fun with a friend. Or have one watch the kids while you swim laps, hit a few tennis balls, or jump into a yoga class. Then return the favor.

4. Exercise at a park or school. Kids can bring buckets and shovels and play in the long jump pit, while you run laps. Or they can play on a playground while you power walk the perimeter. If they are older and are team members, wear workout clothes to the park and run or walk while they are playing with their teams.

5. Play a game together. Kids have boundless energy. Try to keep up with them in a family game of soccer, baseball or basketball and you'll be amazed how much of a workout it can be.

6. Check out your company's resources. Many companies are kicking off wellness programs, such as the 10,000 step a day program. You can buddy up with virtual (or local) office mates, as you all try to attain your goal together. Some workplaces are offering financial rewards that can be credited to Healthcare Savings Accounts if you achieve certain goals.

7. Join a team or a fitness club. Sometimes, you need a little extra incentive to keep going and committing to a team or a club can do just that. Not to mention, having another activity that is "just for you" can be a boon to your mental health, as well!

8. Try "Mommy Boot Camp." Designed for new moms, this group combines socialization and activity for mothers who want to get back in shape and make new friends at the same time.

9. Sign up for something new - a fun run, half-marathon (or marathon!), or another activity that will challenge you. Fleet Feet offers several popular training programs for these type of activities. Many of them are beginner friendly, so don't worry if you've never tried it.

10. Try walking or riding a bike to activities within a few miles of your home. Check out local classified ads for bargains on jogging strollers, bike trailers and bicycles. Then, hit the road with your newfound independence.