My 3 big kids go to classes at our charter school on Wednesday mornings, and drop-off/announcement time is always a fun time for me to connect with the other moms. As I left this past Wednesday, I walked past a mom who looked very natural and fit. She had on a t-shirt and knee-length khaki shorts and tennis shoes with ankle socks.
I don't know why, but when I looked at her it hit me:
Taking care of myself is part of the job description.
When my husband married me I was fit as a fiddle. I worked out regularly and took good care of my body and my appearance. Four kids and too many snacks later, and I seriously have not maintained the same level of care.
The good news is that last week I started a walking plan that I saw in my Weight Watchers magazine. It's an 8-week program that basically takes you from a total couch potato to a regular 30-minutes-a-day (4 days a week) exerciser in 8 weeks. It's VERY gradual. Last week I walked 5 minutes on the treadmill and did 10 jumping jacks. This week it's 10 minutes on the treadmill plus 2 minutes jogging.
I did it Monday - well, we walked about an hour with our friends and I jogged 2 minutes on the way home. Tuesday my knees were really hurting. I told my friend Liz and she said to do 2 lunges on each leg each time I exercise, so I did that yesterday and today. I did the workout again yesterday and today and thankfully my knees are feeling good.
I added one other element into the workout yesterday: at the end, once I was done with the walking and jogging and stretching and lunges, I said from my heart, "Thank you, Lord." How blessed I am to be ABLE to exercise. To have a treadmill at home, so if the weather outside is frightful, I can still walk. To have walking shoes to wear. To have children who play nicely while I exercise (ahem - most of the time).
One other thing I'm thinking is that my shoes are seriously old and I need new ones. When I get the new ones, I'm going to make a chart that will have 400 boxes. I'll mark off a box every time I walk a mile, which will be a fun way to track how many miles I go as well as remind me when it's time to buy a new pair of walking shoes.
i'm proud of you for taking time to take care of yourself. i am in desperate need of exercise. right now i cannot, because my water can break unexpectedly(broke 3 weeks early with finn and ollie) and i get too many braxton hicks when i overexert. then comes the c-section and i'm hobbled up for weeks. but, i do plan on getting back in shape as soon as it is safe! it IS a blessing to be able to work out.
ReplyDeleteWith the water-breaking scare and the c-section recovery, you of all people know what a blessing it is once you can move freely again!! {{{{{{{{ }}}}}}} I can't WAIT to see that new baby of yours!!
ReplyDeleteThis is Olive Oyl's mom.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to tell you that this post is very inspirational. I too was fit as a fiddle and MANY pounds lighter when I met my husband 8 years ago. I have been needing some inpiration to move toward not only exercising but eating healthy. I think your post may have just been the ticket.
Oh and I LOVE the idea of making a chart to mark off each pound to a new pair of shoes. It sounds a lot more exciting then just suddenly realizing your shoes are worn out. Imagine how amazing you will feel as the boxes fill up!
Good luck and thanks for posting this.
You go friend! I am proud of you!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to "meet" you! I really like the boxes idea - I think I might do that! :)
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteFitness is fun! Ha, when we do actually do it, and not just wish. Wishing does make beggars, like that old quote said! (We beg to be different, I mean.)
But disciple makes us Queen of Contentment!
And that makes our sighing transform from 'ugh' to 'ahhhh'.
I'm rooting for you!!!
Oh, this is so true. I know I've let my body and health fall to the bottom of my priority list in the last few years. But what good am I to my kids if I'm not functioning at my best?
ReplyDeleteGood for you for committing to putting yourself back on the list!!
i so needed to hear this sister! when i saw you the other day walking i thought "WOW Emily is looking FAB!!!!!" keep it up
ReplyDelete