I've heard many moms justify vacations, shopping trips and girls nights out with the mantra "I'm a better mom/wife/person if I take time for myself." Sounds like a pretty solid argument, right? And I believe it. However, for me, it's easier said than done. It's not kid-free shopping trips or vacations that I have a hard time with. I can easily justify those things, and I have. It's exercise. I can't seem to take time out of my day, for myself, to get my butt moving. Since I have a nerdy computer job (sitting on my butt all day), and I often work from home (really sitting on my butt all day), and after that, I enjoy, well, sitting on my butt. I need it.
The icing on the cake (the analogy of the chubby), is that with rheumatoid arthrits and high-ish blood pressure, I really need it. And I don't mind it. It's the logistics I can't seem to justify. The Dr. said recently, "even if you put the baby in the stroller and walk the mall for 30 minutes, that would be good." Yeah, right, and here's why:
1) The 17-month old "baby" strongly opposes sitting in the stroller for any length of time
2) There is a Thomas the train ride, a play area and a Disney Store there. Just perfect for power walking with an easily distracted 3-year old, right?
3) It could get expensive
I can come up with excuses like this for everything. We have a treadmill in the basement for cryin' out loud. Why can't I do that? I have occasionally, but the stars have to be aligned and I need to have the time and motivation when Maddie is napping, and I'm not working. BUT, what I really enjoy, and what is best for my joints, is swimming. I was a decent asset to the swim team in high school, and I was even a lifeguard. I've got skills. So, here we go. No excuses.
Drumroll please....I joined a gym. It's a gym that has a wonderful babysitting facility, no long term contract and a very nice pool. I've been twice, and I loved it. I went once with the kids, and they loved it. But with every stroke, I feel guilty. Seriously. In my head, I should always be doing something else, and I should defintely not be leaving my kids in the hands of strangers (with whom they had a blast) while I selfishly exercise. I must get over this. I'm working on it and I'm going to try. So yaay me! However, I'm also realistic. I specifically joined a gym with a month-to-month contract.
So, to make up for my "blah blah blah" about selfish ME and what I'M doing, here are the adorable children playing kazoos.
Wanna hear more about me? Of the ridiculous number of toys we have acquired, one of those kazoos actually came from a bar. The bar attached to Clark Street Dog to be exact. We were very high class back in the day. The bartender requested I play it when I wanted a shot..or maybe after a shot..or just for fun. Ah, I remember it like it was six or seven years ago and there were shots of jager involved...or maybe tequila. Ick.
And here they are again, folks. The girl that found her "cheese" face, and the boy that's way too cool to sit still and say "cheese."
2 comments:
Donna, I not only feel your rant, I experience it on a daily basis. I, too, work from home and watch Stella (sometimes I let DJ Lance Rock watch her). I can do almost anything with my time, except find time to walk/exercise. When I do use weights in our extra bedroom, Stella is right next to me, waiting to get hit on the head. Or if I'm doing push ups, she's trying to sit on me. Good luck with your new endeavor with the gym!!
I finally rejoined the gym after quite a long hiatus and it has been good. My theory is that I get nothing done when I have the two of them at home so I may as well let them go to tot-time and feel better after a work out. Good for you! Congrats on the endeavor!
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