Excercise can make the difference between sanity and insanity
I find that when I get out and burn off some steam I feel much better.
I know this isn't breaking news or anything.
If I can get to the gym and do a work out or go to a yoga class and soothe my mind I can handle the day to day tasks far easier. This was true before we even had the wee one home.
Now that he is home I need to have that hour or so to clear my head and get the cobwebs out even more. But finding the time seems much more difficult these days.
When I don't work out I find I get tired faster, eat more craptastic food then ever, and feel sorry for myself in a gargantuan way!
So, I guess what I am asking for your help?
When do you find the time? How do you schedule it in?
17 comments:
An hour is a luxury I do not have, but I do get 30 min right after the boys go to bed when I can get outside and walk my dog. I also incorporate exercise throughout my day, ie. Doing lunges on the driveway while playing soccer, or holding weights while dancing with the boys. Soon, I plan on setting the alarm and getting up early, but T is an early bird and the second he hears any noise he will be up for the day so I doubt that will work, but I will try!
Sometimes I find the best thing is to arrange a steady babysitter, even just 2 mornings a week, so you know you have those times. I had that before T came home and it was amazing. Worth every penny!
The Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD...it is killer...can hardly walk for days afterwards and I don't even use weights when I do it, which you are supposed to do, but it's something I can do from home and when the kids are awake. They just attempt to do it with me and get quite a kick out of it. I've tried other DVD's such as the Jillian Michaels one and yoga ones, but for me, that one gives the best workout in the shortest amount of time.
It is very hard to find the time and I do not on a daily basis. I go for a walk a few times a week with a friend and I go to exercise a few times a week now as well. It is always when Adam is home as he is the one home with Leul when I am gone out. Some gyms have child care and that helps. Even walking with Leul in the stroller is better than sitting at home for me. Finding that balance is very hard!
Carolyn
Late at night after Hana is in bed, after the marathon "get home from work, spend time with child, wrangle her into bed" hours - but it only happens once or twice a week. My yoga place has some classes that start at 8 and 9:30pm. Of course then my mind and body are so jazzed up that I can't sleep for a while...
Hana likes playing along beside me with Wii Fit. That's a fun option. (And fun, watching a toddler try to do the tree pose :)
Long walks with the stroller are your friend. Even when it is cold, as soon as the sidewalks are clear, wrap the boy up in some blankets and get out and walk. To the store, or the park, or just around the block a few times. The fresh air and seeing OMG NEW STUFF will not only make him happy but tire him out too. Some kids will even snooze during a walk. And you get exercise and fresh air, too. And if he's content, bring your iPod and listen to some podcasts of Real Adults Talking About Adult Stuff.
Other than that, take half an hour during his naptime and do a yoga class online. Or invest in a treadmill or an elliptical or something and watch a show while exercising. The baby monitor will even work outside, if you want to do yoga in the yard or do some gardening or whatever.
I havent figured out - so let me know what you do!
I get home from work, hang with the boys, eat supper, bathe the boys, and when they go to bed, I go to bed!
I totally need exercise too or I find myself spiralling in a cycle of craptastic food, laziness, bad mood, and so on. I'm only getting to the gym a couple of times a week right now, which isn't nearly as much exercise as I would like. Do you like to run? If you do, I will put my two babies in the stroller, C can ride his bike, and we could go for runs by the river this summer!
Mary, I do like to run so I will definitely be into that :)
I know this will sound crazy, but i go to the gym 2 times during the work week from 5 am -6 am when everyone else is sleeping. It`s like steeling an hour of the day just for yourself. You get used to getting up early, especially with all of the benefits you noted. Then I go one time on the weekend when my husbands home with my kids. Good luck, you`ll find something that works for you
Sorry, I can't answer that because I want to know the same thing! I just try to get out for a walk whenever I can. But I'm finding it harder now, because K is getting too big for the stroller, and he's still too small to walk at my pace.
oh....this might not be good news..but I get up at 5:00 am. It is the only time I can be SURE to have to work out. I find that yeah, I'm TIRED, but I'm tired anyway, and exercise really does make me feel so much better, so I might as well be tired but have exercised. :)
oh, and ps..with one child the BEST thing was my BabyJogger stroller...20 inch wheels and that thing has miles and miles on it. It can go thru snow, whatever...saved my sanity, I am sure, to just plop the kiddo in and go!
I'm also trying to figure that out, Rana. I definitely need to do something! Might have to let Grandma pickup up B from daycare and feed her dinner 1-2x a week so I can go to joga or for a run. I am looking into getting a bike trailer for this year.
Hmmmm, I am still trying to figure out how to make time for myself, but I have not been very successful, so I do not have any advice.
Debbie.
I know the gym I go to has a childcare facility. Maybe you could do that for an hour 4 or 5 times a week??
Louise
Rana, I take the boys to the world gym with me in Stonebridge. It had a daycare, which Zakery LOVES to play at. They also have a nice steam room and shower facility, So I usually have a nice long hot uninterrupted shower.
Kristina C
Honestly? I think you need to give up cross fit for awhile and buy a membership at a gym with childcare. Then book Ade into childcare every Monday - Friday morning for the following week. The "booked appointment" gets you rolling in the morning and out the door, and then you are done by lunch and have the rest of the day to do other things.
I found booking the girls in gave me no excuse not to go, and $50 for childcare is well worth it, for your sanity, and especially if you are getting there 3-5 mornings a week!
Love the suggestions! I have childcare booked for one morning, so I go running then. I try and lift weights once a week, and do yoga once a week. The latter two can be done at home with videos. I also try and go running on one weekend day. So 3-4 times of exercise is the goal! Ha! So hear you about that cycle that happens.
Post a Comment