Today's Topic --
Finding Time to Exercise When You're a Mom.
Many of us Moms are carrying around a little baby weight. 5, 10, 50 (that's me), or 100 pounds that didn't belong to us until we gave up our bodies in exchange for Parenthood.
I, personally, find this to be a raw deal. For nine months, minimum, we give up booze, sushi, Motrin, and a myriad of things that are supposed to be harmful to our growing fetus. We live with swollen ankles. We accept the stretch marks that bloom on our growing tummies. We skip our appointments with our colorist. We make peace with Gravity.
Nine months later, we have those glorious little babies in our arms and nothing else matters.
Shortly after that magical moment (a week, a month, a year), reality sets in. We are no longer eating for two. It's time to stop claiming that the baby made us eat that entire pint of Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream.
But how to fit exercise into our day? All those parenting magazines make it sound so easy. Just pop Baby into your jogging stroller and meet up with the other Moms on your block for a daily walk!
Yeah, unless Baby doesn't like the stroller and screams the entire time. Those Moms will boot you out of their group faster than projectile vomit!
You can always try one of those Mommy and Me Yoga Tapes. I, personally, have never done it, mostly because I have visions of the aforementioned projectile vomit while trying to achieve the Downward Lotus Sun (or some such named) pose.
How about doing a Mommy only tape while baby is napping? Sure, right after three loads of (here we go again) vomit stained burp cloths. Fine, forget the laundry, make yourself the priority today. Get to Exercising. Just don't break a sweat, there won't be time to shower before baby wakes up, and you don't want to spend the rest of the day reeking of dried body odor. Although, maybe mixed with the smell of diaper and sour milk spit up, no one will notice....
Is this why my kids are 14 and 5 and I'm still calling it Baby Weight?
Working out with older kids presents it's own problems, though. First, having your 5 year old sit on the couch and stare at you while you struggle through Tae Bo is miserable.
Then, making sure you're dressed appropriately in case your 14 year old son and his buddies come in from playing catch to grab a snack/drink is no picnic. No Flashing Your Wobbly Bits at the Neighbor Kids!
And lastly, finishing in time to grab a shower so you can make sure dinner is on the table by the time hubby gets home from work is a fine art in and of itself.
Oh,don't worry, I'm not even going to discuss getting up "a little early" to fit in your workout before the family wakes up. This is nothing but lunacy.
I'm going to keep trying to sneak in a little here and there and hopefully you'll be able to do the same! Good luck!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sorry, it's been a while.
I've been feeling less than creative lately, when a friend pointed out that my latest email to her had several worthy topics.
Today's Choice -- Part Time Jobs for Stay At Home Moms. I'm talking about those of us who stay home, out of choice or necessity and find ourselves either needing or wanting a few extra bucks or a little bored with endless reruns of LazyTown and the Backyardigans. I read on a message board once that when you start debating which Wiggle is the cutest, then darlin', it's time to find something constructive to do.
I try to fill my day with Good Stuff. A little TV, some reading, some coloring, some block towers, some ABC flash cards. I make trips to the Public Library for Story Time and Story Pals. When the weather is nice we head to one of the many public parks in our area (with or without a playmate and their Mommy) or just pull out the stroller and trek around our neighborhood, aiding in my quest to lose weight.
But, since my current job (babysitting my precious niece) is technically a school year only gig, I've been thinking about what to do this summer.
I think I'm going to have to take a part time job. At least a few evenings a week. Truly, I hate to take a job knowing I'm only going to be there two months, but we'll definitely need the extra income.
Mostly, I have to make sure I find a job that works around my number one priority, my family. My husband works long hours in the summer time, and I can't expect him to come home and do a couple loads of laundry before making dinner before cleaning the kitchen before bath time before feeding the cat before taking out the trash.
There are lots of In Home Sales type things, you know what I'm talking about, Food tasting, jewelry, cosmetics, kitchen gadgetry, purses, cleaning products. They all claim to be perfect for us SAHM's, as we make our own schedule, thus deciding how big our paycheck is to be, but I've tried more than one of those before and I'm not sure they are the right fit for someone like me.
Soon I'll start looking in the newspaper. Wish me luck.
I've been feeling less than creative lately, when a friend pointed out that my latest email to her had several worthy topics.
Today's Choice -- Part Time Jobs for Stay At Home Moms. I'm talking about those of us who stay home, out of choice or necessity and find ourselves either needing or wanting a few extra bucks or a little bored with endless reruns of LazyTown and the Backyardigans. I read on a message board once that when you start debating which Wiggle is the cutest, then darlin', it's time to find something constructive to do.
I try to fill my day with Good Stuff. A little TV, some reading, some coloring, some block towers, some ABC flash cards. I make trips to the Public Library for Story Time and Story Pals. When the weather is nice we head to one of the many public parks in our area (with or without a playmate and their Mommy) or just pull out the stroller and trek around our neighborhood, aiding in my quest to lose weight.
But, since my current job (babysitting my precious niece) is technically a school year only gig, I've been thinking about what to do this summer.
I think I'm going to have to take a part time job. At least a few evenings a week. Truly, I hate to take a job knowing I'm only going to be there two months, but we'll definitely need the extra income.
Mostly, I have to make sure I find a job that works around my number one priority, my family. My husband works long hours in the summer time, and I can't expect him to come home and do a couple loads of laundry before making dinner before cleaning the kitchen before bath time before feeding the cat before taking out the trash.
There are lots of In Home Sales type things, you know what I'm talking about, Food tasting, jewelry, cosmetics, kitchen gadgetry, purses, cleaning products. They all claim to be perfect for us SAHM's, as we make our own schedule, thus deciding how big our paycheck is to be, but I've tried more than one of those before and I'm not sure they are the right fit for someone like me.
Soon I'll start looking in the newspaper. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
My First Request
How could I refuse?
OK, people, get out your BlackBerries, Day Runners, Calendars, post it notes, or whatever it is you use to keep track of Things To Do!
May 10, 2008 from 12-5 at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
You'll be spending it at the Boundless Bash for Hailey's Wish. It'll cost you $5 for General Admission or $10 to get your kids a Play All Day Wristband. There will be a Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Games, Shopping, Raffles, and SIX, count'em, SIX different inflatables, including an obstacle course and jousting!
Why go?
OK, people, get out your BlackBerries, Day Runners, Calendars, post it notes, or whatever it is you use to keep track of Things To Do!
May 10, 2008 from 12-5 at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
You'll be spending it at the Boundless Bash for Hailey's Wish. It'll cost you $5 for General Admission or $10 to get your kids a Play All Day Wristband. There will be a Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Games, Shopping, Raffles, and SIX, count'em, SIX different inflatables, including an obstacle course and jousting!
Why go?
Hailey's Wish A Foundation for Inclusive Play |
Now ask yourself this -- Why would you not go? Check out the Website for yourself --
http://projects.kaboom.org/haileyswish/AboutUs/tabid/34666/Default.aspx
-- Click on "Boundless Bash" at the top of the page. You know what? Click on EVERYTHING at the top of the page!
If that day happens to be Great Aunt Edna's 97th birthday party, fine, I'll understand, but reach deep into those pockets and let's get Every Child a Playground!
On the serious side, for a moment, this breaks my heart. No child, no matter what their level of ability is, should be without someplace safe and wonderful to play. Think of your own child. Sitting on the sidelines while the other kids laugh and play together. Left out because they can't use the swing or slide.
I'll see you all at the Boundless Bash.
Bring Aunt Edna.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Time Flies When You're Busting Your Butt
Obviously I haven't written for a few days. So much for my goal of writing every day for a month. I've been busy. DD got new bedroom furniture, so I spent Friday emptying her old room, cleaning the dust bunnies out of the corners, spackling the old curtain rod holes, touch up painting, and putting everything new in it's place.
Which, just for a moment, brings me to customer service. We have dealt with Gardiners Furniture store twice now. First when we splurged on new living and dining room furniture and again when Grandmother bought DD new bedroom furniture. These delivery men are far and above the most careful (think walls, corners, railings), most polite (Which side of the room do you want the bed, Ma'am? Is this table far enough over, Ma'am?). Two different deliveries, two different crews of men, two fantastic experiences. They were all clean cut and polite. Women know what I'm talking about. You stay home for a delivery or repair man and that creepy, dirty, sloppy, icky guy shows up. You don't know whether to leave him alone with your fine china and hide at the neighborhood park or follow him around your house making sure he doesn't take your Grandmother's pearls. Bottom line, Gardiners is fabulous!
Saturday morning, my DH's alarm clock wakes me up at 6:45 and try as I might, and believe me I tried, I could not get back to sleep. DD gets up mere moments after me and, Thanks Mom, I decided not to waste the day. We were outside at 8:30. Raking dead leaves out of the flower beds, trimming Forsythia, and planting bulbs. Persian Buttercups and Blazing Stars. The Buttercups are in "her" flower bed and the Stars are along the side of my house. The soil and sun aren't the greatest over there and Blazing Stars are known for growing in less than ideal circumstances. Fingers crossed, time will tell. Then it was grocery shopping, weekly meal planning, and Movie Night. Grandmother bought the kids Alvin and the Chipmunks. We all wanted to see it, so Grandmother, DH, DD, DS, and I had dinner together, then piled onto the sofas and vegged out. It was a very cute movie.
Now it's Sunday and I'm doing laundry. Gee, isn't your life complete for knowing that? I've got to run out for a few things, but I'm stalling because I left the car windows open last night (dumb me) and the car seats are damp. Which is kind of ironic because I left them open yesterday to air out the car. The driver's side door has some kind of leak, the carpet is always damp/wet and the car smells funny. Now the whole damn car is wet. Yay.
Moving right along.....
Which, just for a moment, brings me to customer service. We have dealt with Gardiners Furniture store twice now. First when we splurged on new living and dining room furniture and again when Grandmother bought DD new bedroom furniture. These delivery men are far and above the most careful (think walls, corners, railings), most polite (Which side of the room do you want the bed, Ma'am? Is this table far enough over, Ma'am?). Two different deliveries, two different crews of men, two fantastic experiences. They were all clean cut and polite. Women know what I'm talking about. You stay home for a delivery or repair man and that creepy, dirty, sloppy, icky guy shows up. You don't know whether to leave him alone with your fine china and hide at the neighborhood park or follow him around your house making sure he doesn't take your Grandmother's pearls. Bottom line, Gardiners is fabulous!
Saturday morning, my DH's alarm clock wakes me up at 6:45 and try as I might, and believe me I tried, I could not get back to sleep. DD gets up mere moments after me and, Thanks Mom, I decided not to waste the day. We were outside at 8:30. Raking dead leaves out of the flower beds, trimming Forsythia, and planting bulbs. Persian Buttercups and Blazing Stars. The Buttercups are in "her" flower bed and the Stars are along the side of my house. The soil and sun aren't the greatest over there and Blazing Stars are known for growing in less than ideal circumstances. Fingers crossed, time will tell. Then it was grocery shopping, weekly meal planning, and Movie Night. Grandmother bought the kids Alvin and the Chipmunks. We all wanted to see it, so Grandmother, DH, DD, DS, and I had dinner together, then piled onto the sofas and vegged out. It was a very cute movie.
Now it's Sunday and I'm doing laundry. Gee, isn't your life complete for knowing that? I've got to run out for a few things, but I'm stalling because I left the car windows open last night (dumb me) and the car seats are damp. Which is kind of ironic because I left them open yesterday to air out the car. The driver's side door has some kind of leak, the carpet is always damp/wet and the car smells funny. Now the whole damn car is wet. Yay.
Moving right along.....
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I did it!
I have so much to rant about today, let me see if I can do this in any semblance of order. As I stated yesterday, I have been down about my weight being up. I decided to join WW. As I make this decision I try to create a support system of friends and family. And you want to know what they all say? Oh, you're not fat. (Yes, I am.) Oh, you don't need to lose 40 pounds (Yes, I do.)
Note to all my friends and family - This is not supportive. This is not even remotely supportive. This is so far from Supportive that you can't even see Supportive from where you are standing.
This got me thinking. Why? Why do we think that when someone shares something like this, the first thing we should do is dismiss them? If I hated my hair color, people would support me visiting my stylist for a dye job, right? If I hated my wardrobe, girlfriends would line up to shop with me. But admit to being fat (ugh, gasp, the horror!) and people instantly shut down.
Now, of course, I don't actually want any of my friends to say, "Yeah, you're a cow." But, something more along the lines of, "Hey, that's great! You go for it!" would be nice.
I ran into a woman I know at the meeting last night. Did she say, "What are you doing here? You're not fat!" No, she asked how long I'd been coming to meetings, did I always go on Wednesday, how was I doing? I told her it was my first meeting. She told me it was her second meeting and she'd be coming on Wednesdays, so yay, we will see each other and have a buddy at the meetings.
So is it that Fat People support Fat People?
Not necessarily. Sometimes the worst saboteurs are overweight people themselves. Why? I think because misery loves company. If a fat friend loses weight and you don't, does that make you more fat? Is that why we keep feeding our fat friends? Is that why we tell them they aren't fat and don't need WW?
Case in point? I just got an email from someone who shall remain nameless. She knows where I was last night, but makes no mention of it in her email, no good luck today, no enjoy your gallon of water jokes. Maybe I'm just a whiner. Maybe I care too much what other people think? Maybe I have rotten friends. Just kidding.
Could it be that society as a whole is getting fatter and fatter and now you have to be supremely obese for people to think you need to lose a few?
In any case, I'm off to the Grocery Store. I need more milk and some veggies for my salad today!
Note to all my friends and family - This is not supportive. This is not even remotely supportive. This is so far from Supportive that you can't even see Supportive from where you are standing.
This got me thinking. Why? Why do we think that when someone shares something like this, the first thing we should do is dismiss them? If I hated my hair color, people would support me visiting my stylist for a dye job, right? If I hated my wardrobe, girlfriends would line up to shop with me. But admit to being fat (ugh, gasp, the horror!) and people instantly shut down.
Now, of course, I don't actually want any of my friends to say, "Yeah, you're a cow." But, something more along the lines of, "Hey, that's great! You go for it!" would be nice.
I ran into a woman I know at the meeting last night. Did she say, "What are you doing here? You're not fat!" No, she asked how long I'd been coming to meetings, did I always go on Wednesday, how was I doing? I told her it was my first meeting. She told me it was her second meeting and she'd be coming on Wednesdays, so yay, we will see each other and have a buddy at the meetings.
So is it that Fat People support Fat People?
Not necessarily. Sometimes the worst saboteurs are overweight people themselves. Why? I think because misery loves company. If a fat friend loses weight and you don't, does that make you more fat? Is that why we keep feeding our fat friends? Is that why we tell them they aren't fat and don't need WW?
Case in point? I just got an email from someone who shall remain nameless. She knows where I was last night, but makes no mention of it in her email, no good luck today, no enjoy your gallon of water jokes. Maybe I'm just a whiner. Maybe I care too much what other people think? Maybe I have rotten friends. Just kidding.
Could it be that society as a whole is getting fatter and fatter and now you have to be supremely obese for people to think you need to lose a few?
In any case, I'm off to the Grocery Store. I need more milk and some veggies for my salad today!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
My Wake Up Call
I've had to face several hard facts this week and I'm not even remotely happy about it.
As it turns out, I'm fat. I've been living in Denial (Thanks, Mom) for too long now. I was at the doctor's office about a month ago and was joking with the nurse about how I like my home scale better. Most people do, she says. You want to why I like Home Scale? Because he's broken. When I step on Home Scale I sigh and think I should lose twenty pounds. At least ten. Then I could go back to putting my jeans in the dryer, something I would never think of these days. But the truth is, Home Scale is broken to the tune of TEN pounds. So, you do the math. I'm not 10 or 20 pounds overweight, not chubby or fluffy or pudgy or puffy. Thirty pounds overweight is FAT. Of course I want to be healthy and be able to run with my kids and wear that Little Black Dress and all those ridiculous things Fat People say, but I'm a numbers kind of chick. And the number staring back at me is completely unacceptable.
Moving right along to Hard Truth Number Two -- I'm getting old. I could say "Older" but that's just another form of Denial. I mentioned a minor health concern to my PAC and she said, "These things happen to women your age." MY WHAT? MY AGE? Excuse me? I can live with this minor health concern. I added a new vitamin to my regime. But being referred to as "Women My Age" just sucks. Then Saturday, I'm washing my face when what do I see? Crows Feet. Yup, those little tiny blasted lines in the corners of my eyes. Oh and so they won't be lonely, I found puffy crinkly line-y things under my eyes, too, the perfect place for my eyeliner to settle in after a long day of trying to make me look like I'm awake and refreshed. I'd like to think this is a joke, but the sad truth is....
I'm fat and I'm getting old.
Time to clean out the pantry, lace up my sneakers, pop in to a Weight Watchers Meeting and order some fancy eye cream.
As it turns out, I'm fat. I've been living in Denial (Thanks, Mom) for too long now. I was at the doctor's office about a month ago and was joking with the nurse about how I like my home scale better. Most people do, she says. You want to why I like Home Scale? Because he's broken. When I step on Home Scale I sigh and think I should lose twenty pounds. At least ten. Then I could go back to putting my jeans in the dryer, something I would never think of these days. But the truth is, Home Scale is broken to the tune of TEN pounds. So, you do the math. I'm not 10 or 20 pounds overweight, not chubby or fluffy or pudgy or puffy. Thirty pounds overweight is FAT. Of course I want to be healthy and be able to run with my kids and wear that Little Black Dress and all those ridiculous things Fat People say, but I'm a numbers kind of chick. And the number staring back at me is completely unacceptable.
Moving right along to Hard Truth Number Two -- I'm getting old. I could say "Older" but that's just another form of Denial. I mentioned a minor health concern to my PAC and she said, "These things happen to women your age." MY WHAT? MY AGE? Excuse me? I can live with this minor health concern. I added a new vitamin to my regime. But being referred to as "Women My Age" just sucks. Then Saturday, I'm washing my face when what do I see? Crows Feet. Yup, those little tiny blasted lines in the corners of my eyes. Oh and so they won't be lonely, I found puffy crinkly line-y things under my eyes, too, the perfect place for my eyeliner to settle in after a long day of trying to make me look like I'm awake and refreshed. I'd like to think this is a joke, but the sad truth is....
I'm fat and I'm getting old.
Time to clean out the pantry, lace up my sneakers, pop in to a Weight Watchers Meeting and order some fancy eye cream.
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