I was so happy my sister-in-law Melissa wrote a guest post for The Good Mama blog this past Monday. If you missed it, be sure to check out her super easy, healthy, and, most importantly, delicious Banana Oat Cookies.
Melissa blogs for the Domestic Duck. She had taken some time off because, well, 17 month olds can keep you pretty busy I suppose. Though, I am trying to encourage her to start up again. Why? You ask.
Why would I ever want yet another mommy blogger competing for page views?
- As I mentioned in What to Expect at your First Blog Conference, bloggers have realized the importance of paying it forward in blogging. We all benefit when we team up, support and promote each other. I am sure my sister-in-law and I would make a great team!
- Melissa is just amazing. Not only does she have a law degree, but she also knits, sews, bakes, cooks, and does countless other crafty things. I just love checking out of all her new projects, and I know others would too.
*Have I convinced you to start blogging again yet, Melissa?
Since Melissa wrote a guest post for me, I have decided to try to be somewhat “crafty” with my own DIY project.
Homemade Dumbbells are really easy to make. You may even have all of the materials on hand.
These homemade dumbbells are perfect if you want to start lifting a little weight, but don’t feel like running out to buy weights.
Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming arm workout you can do with your homemade dumbbells!
Homemade Dumbbells
Materials:
- Empty milk jugs *You can use whatever size you’d prefer; you could use empty water bottles if you want lighter weights
- Play sand *I suppose you could you use rice or beans if you want the jugs to be a little lighter
- Hot glue gun or Krazy glue would probably work
Instructions:
- Clean out the milk jugs.
- Slowly pour sand into milk jugs. A funnel would be handy if you had one; I just used a plastic cup that I squeezed together at the top.
- Glue the cap onto the milk jug.
- Get ready for your workout!
*BONUS: Keep the leftover sand in a tupperware container with some sand toys. Your baby can play in the sand while you get a workout in!
What did you think of my first DIY project? Do you like DIY projects? Do you lift weights as part of your fitness routine? Let me know in the comment section!
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I love your no excuses approach. There are so many people that tell me that they can’t workout because they don’t have equipment but there are also many things people can do with just body weight and this is a good way to increase weights without buying a whole new set of weights. Love it!
Dawn recently posted…It Canât Be
Dawn- Thanks so much for your comment! Yes, I think sometimes people think exercise has to be this big process, when you can just get out there for at least a short amount of time. A little bit of exercise is better than nothing!
Easy peasy way to work out at home for SAHMs. I love it. Staying in shape is hard. I recently joined a work out group and we all exercise to a DVD while the little ones sit in the stroller. Jameson isn’t being super patient with having to sit for it though. I may need to start working out in my home.
Lauren
Lauren Tamm recently posted…Drop the Morning Nap Using Four Crazy-Simple Steps
Lauren- Yes, it can be difficult to fit in an exercise. My son is the same way at group workouts too. I loved going to stroller strides, but he would not want to sit there the entire time. Working out at home is the best way for me to stay in shape.
Very cute! Wish I didn’t read it though because there goes my excuse, haha.
Mary Kay- haha! Yes, you can definitely make these dumbbells!
Haha love this!! Would of never thought of making these myself like this!! Thanks for the share❤❤
CourtneyLynne- Yes, I’ll use whatever I can to get a workout in. I’ve even used the baby before! haha
Can you believe I only worked out during my pregnancies. I had so much energy to burn that I would lift weights and now I’m drained from raising kids. I need to get my lazy butt off and start again.
N phoenix recently posted…Healthy Stew Recipes for busy Mom’s #3CGFoodie
N phoenix- Not at all! I also had a lot of energy during my pregnancy. It is a lot more draining actually having the baby! Thanks for the comment!
And now we have no excuses anymore! lol
Thanks for the tip.
Ellen at Young Love Mommy
Ellen Oliveira recently posted…Bluenana // Blueberry + Banana – Homemade Baby Food
Great idea! I can see making this kid friendly by adding decorations and colors for the kids, too!
shelah@mosswoodconnections.com recently posted…Stained Glass Art Activity
Shelah- Yes! That’s an awesome idea. You could make smaller ones for your kids.
This is perfect! I love to recycle and my husband has been thinking about buying weights.. Now that it is cooling down we can re-use the sand from out back too.
Twitchetts- Yes, it’s nice to be able to reuse products in such a useful way! That’s a great idea to re-use your sand too.
Great idea. I love trying new ways to work out, and it could be a project for my daughter to help me with.
Jen @ The Halfway Homemaker recently posted…Day 9 – Consciously Remove Toxicity | 31 Day Stress Reduction Challenge
Jen- Yes, I love the idea of having your daughter help you! Thanks for stopping by!
What a clever idea!
Nicci recently posted…Items for a New Mommy
Nicci- Thank you! Thanks for stopping by!
Great idea! I tend to use things I have on hand as much as possible, and this definitely fits the bill.
Keisha recently posted…No Carving Pumpkin Family
Keisha- I like to reuse things as much as I can too. Thanks for you comment!
I definitely need to lift weights more. I walk and run pretty consistently but my underarm is jiggling a little too much for me. Thanks for the tutorial!
Melissa Matters recently posted…Why Growing Up in the 80s was Great
Melissa- Walking and running is great! I have found that lifting weights in addition really helped for toning. It’s doesn’t take too much time either!
Such a clever and cheap way to make dumbbells. I really need to make these! Thank you for linking up with the #WeekendBlogHop
Laura x x x
My Life As A Mummy recently posted…2nd Blog Birthday
My Life As a Mummy- Thank you! I like that they are cheap and easy to make!
Such a great, simple idea! Weights are expensive so this is awesome! And I agree about paying it forward with blog love ☺
Rachael- Yes, they definitely can be expensive. Plus, I don’t like having to carry weights home from the store! haha
That is such a cool way to save and upcycle! It’s frugal and good for the enviroment, brillant idea!
Joanna Sormunen recently posted…Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality – October 12th
Joanna- Thank you! I like making uses out of things you no longer need.
What a creative idea! Much, much cheaper than any store-bought version!
Emma recently posted…DIY Coin-Sorter Game
Emma- Definitely! I’m all about saving money. Thanks for stopping by.
Haha good point ☺
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! There are, however, some
disadvantages when it comes to practice. Once I was a college student, I thought how one
needs to tackle this issue but I would constantly encounter some
funny answers: go google it or even ask for a
friend. What if my friends don’t have enough knowledge or expertise to
assist me? What if I googled it multiple
times and couldn’t locate the solution? That is when posts such as this you can provide appropriate guidance on the matter.
Lecia recently posted…Lecia
I loved reading your blog post about how to make homemade dumbbells and how to get back into blogging. I especially loved your comment about how you didn’t want to compete with other mommy bloggers. Your comment made me realize that it’s not always about the competition. It’s about the journey, the experience, and the progress you make along the way.
No excuses to not find a way to get in shape. Simple and efficient!