No excuses: Group gives moms a way to work out together

A local chapter of the not-for-profit program No Excuse Mom is providing area women a place to work out in a "judge-free zone," where they also learn exercise techniques for staying in shape, even with children at home.

Several women, along with their children, gathered at A.C. Brase Arena Park last week for a free weekly workout session.

Before warming up, the group's leader, Amanda Gibson, gave a brief motivational talk.

"I tell the group it's about encouraging each other and breaking the stereotypes that women can't get along and we want to judge one another," Gibson said. "We've got women of all sizes, shapes, races and from all financial backgrounds. We just come together, and our kids play, and we do a little workout."

Gibson, of Jackson, formed the No Excuse Mom chapter in February.

Christine Cody exercises with her children, Harriet and Warren, on Wednesday at the weekly meeting of No Excuse Moms in Cape Girardeau. (CAROL KELLISON)

The program encourages women to make their health a priority and has more than 350 free workout groups in about 25 countries.

"I've been on a weight-loss journey for years," said Melinda Arends, of Jackson. "I had been searching for other moms who had similar goals and interests, and I couldn't find anything."

Then she learned the local No Excuse Mom chapter had formed, and she has been to almost every workout session since.

"It's wonderful," Arends said, adding the group not only helps women build friendships, but gives their children an opportunity to play together.

Gibson, who has a 4-year-old son and 22-month-old girl, isn't a certified personal trainer, she said.

But she uses her knowledge from reading, as well as her trial-and-error experiences, to help other women.

"That takes away the intimidation factor from it," she said. "All of our exercises are at beginner level, but they all have the option to modify up or down."

The workouts don't require much weight, she said, and the routines can be used at home.

"We do strength, cardio and stretching all in one," Gibson said.

"We try to show, too, you don't have to spend seven days a week, an hour a day at the gym. You can get in two to three workouts a week at 20 to 30 minutes. We're just trying to show you can be healthy and live your life, too, and it doesn't take everything out of your day."

Arends has two children, ages 3 and 1.

Before joining the group, she didn't consider working out at home with her children as an option, she said.

"I do squats now with kids on my back and shoulders," she said. "If they want to be held, I can still hold them and yet get my workout in. It was something I never even considered before, so this is a whole new perspective."

Gibson said the group has been meeting weekly, but she recently added three co-leaders so the chapter can meet twice a week.

As temperatures continue to rise, the group will begin working out at indoor locations.

The chapter is open to all women in Southeast Missouri, even if they're not mothers.

For more information about local No Excuse Mom meeting dates and locations, join the group's Facebook page, titled "No Excuse Mom Jackson, Mo."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639