I have always played sports through my school years but aside from sports I wasn’t super active. By that I mean I had practice most days of the week after school for most seasons of the year. Outside of sports my preferred activity was rather sedentary with tv mostly. I was on the track team and had lifted in my high weight room but I joined a local gym around my senior year of high school. I really enjoyed working out on my own. When I went to college, I continued throwing on track team and had a lot more instruction in the weight room and on overall nutrition and fitness. I saw my body getting stronger and changing shape and ended up losing 50 pounds my freshman year of school. Through my years of college, I was pretty devoted to the gym, I was there at 5:30am many semesters. Needless to say I wasn’t accompanied by too many other college students at that time of day!
After I graduated, I had really put a lot of pressure on myself to continue losing weight. Between graduation and getting married, I substitute taught at the school in town. I learned to get rather creative when it came to getting my daily workout in. I would use the high school gym early in the morning and shower at the school, I’d use the track to run some days. I was of the mindset that the more I exercised the more I could eat. Not that I was overweight but I was a bit stuck in a rut of constantly trying to lose weight or trim a ‘trouble spot’.
Until I delivered Mr. 1 I was hitting the gym at least 5 days a week. I loved taking classes at the gym on base when we were overseas. I addition to the gym, I enjoyed my daily walks with our beagle. I was at the gym the day I went into labor with Mr. 1 and I eagerly awaited getting back in shape after I was cleared by my doctor. I was walking every day and would throw in some bodyweight exercises as well. I tried to be a part of the local co op at the gym but the stress of Mr. 1 crying most of the time and balancing the schedule of a newborn as a first-time mom made it too hard for me. We got back to the states and a gym membership wasn’t in our budget so I incorporated our dogs daily walk and run into my fitness. I trained for a half marathon while Mr. 1 was 18 months and loved having the goal for my fitness as well as something that was just my thing to work on aside from my being a mommy. When I was pregnant with Mr. 2 we decided we would invest in a family gym membership at a gym that had a fabulous childcare. I dove right in and had so much fun enjoying my 2 hours a day to myself to workout, shower in peace and connect with other moms. Mr. 1 had a ball in the childcare and we structured our week around going to the gym three days a week. Mr. 2 came along and I was very excited to get back into a routine and in shape. I started taking group cycle classes and loved it so much in fact I got certified and became teaching at the gym we were members at. I also found myself in the pool for classes quite often and became certified as well. It was a great scenario. I worked out, earned a paycheck, and my children were taken care of and having fun.
Once Mr. 3 came along we were homeschooling and it was just a lot harder to get to the gym with 3 little boys and get school in. The activities for Mr. 1 were not being offered because he was older and most other kids were in school. It was a hard adjustment but I had found a second-hand treadmill that we put in the basement and that was a big help to be able to snag a quick walk or run. We also lived in a great neighborhood for walking so I got out first thing in the morning for a walk or run quite often. My mentality was shifting from beating myself up if the day didn’t go as I planned and I didn’t get my workout in. My nutrition wasn’t too bad but it wasn’t too good either. I loved sweets and ate much larger portions than I needed but my metabolism sort of made up for my lack of nutritional knowledge and what I thought my problem was, discipline.
Forward to our move to Maine. We had a new town and a gym at the rec center but no childcare and a nursing baby who didn’t want to be away from Mama for any length of time. I started teaching in the pool once a week to pay for our membership to the local rec center. Mister took one for the team and kept everyone happy and fed for that hour and a half I was gone. I love group classes especially in the pool because it’s a unique demographic and the relationships made are special ones.
Aside from that once a week class I became I started using a couple of DVD workouts and the treadmill at home. I did what I could through my pregnancy with Mr. 4 and when he was born I would walk as often as I could and often use his nap time to work out. I would plan my treadmill time for a break for the boys for school or for a good time to review memory work. I’d have the memory work sheets on the treadmill with me and have each boy come over and review as I walked or even did squats and pushups. Some days I would put Mr. 4 in the high chair in the kitchen in clear view of the stairs to the basement and run sets of intervals on the stairs while I tossed him snacks and he giggled away. If it was nice weather, I’d put him in the stroller or have him asleep and keep the monitor with me and run hills on our driveway while the big boys played outside.
I’m now at a much different place than I was 10 years ago in all aspects of my life including my health and fitness goals. I’m not as hard on myself if I don’t get in a workout or I see my shape as so different than it used to be. I give myself much more grace plus I am more aware of my body and what foods I need more moderation with. After four pregnancies I am just plain not able to do things like run and jump like I used to. I eat many more veggies than I used and I truly enjoy them. I can get pretty creative when it comes to sneaking in a workout these days. It is my time for just me. I don’t need coffee most days especially if I’ve had a workout. Here are a few tips I try to practice to be able to get that workout.
-Train your children that Mommy’s workout time is not to be interrupted.
This can take some practice. My littlest guy is often fussy when I’m working out. I make sure I’m not overambitious and keep my workouts short. I give him snacks, a drink, turn on Elmo and if possible, enlist big Brothers to keep him busy. It doesn’t always work but some workout is better than no workout. Stick with it so kiddos will get used to Mommy taking care of herself.
-Have everything ready to go.
Lay out your clothes, even sleep in them if it’s easier. Have your socks and sneakers where you work out. Put the DVD in the night before. I still don’t sleep through the night very often. I always set my alarm so just in case I can get it in before Mr. 4 wakes up. If a mid afternoon workout means you are in your fitness clothes all day, so be it.
-Ask for help.
When we would go to my Mother In Laws house this summer I would often get there with my sneakers on , leave the boys and go for a walk. She had no problem watching the boys and I got an hour to myself to walk and enjoy a podcast. Often, I’d walk with Mr. 4 in the stroller and he would get his morning nap. It was a win win for both of us! Don’t hesitate to ask Daddy, Grandma, or a friend to watch your little one so you can get in a workout. Swapping with a friend is a great way to help another Mama get her workout in too.
Invest in your health and family-
If you have a gym in your area and its membership is within your budget make it happen. The investment is highly worthwhile for your whole family. Eating an early dinner and packing up swim suits and pjs for after is a fun way to spend time together and is a cheap night of fun for your family.
Fitness is something I truly enjoy and I know that’s not the same sentiment for everyone. Despite that fact it is something we should all be doing to stay healthy. I want to set an example of self-care for my boys and want them to see that Mommy is strong. If you are finding yourself with a desire to improve your fitness but not know where to start, I hope this post helps you a bit. Please share with me in the comments below how you sneak in your workout and achieve your fitness goals.
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