As I’ve said before, exercising has NOT been a top priority for me recently. Ahem, like, ever since I started back at work. 4 months ago. It just never seems like there is enough time in the day, and given the choice between stopping at the gym on my way home from work or spending an extra hour with my most adorable baby who I haven’t seen all day, I choose the latter 100% of the time. And I certainly don’t regret that.
But I know how easy it is to get stuck in a routine of NOT working out, and how difficult it can be to get back into the habit of it after being out of it for awhile. It’s not even that I dislike working out. In fact, over the last few years I have grown to LOVE working out (which, believe me, if you knew me when I was in high school and college was NOT the case, so that’s a huge accomplishment in itself). I think it’s a combination of a lack of motivation (I am a few pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight already, and all I want to do it spend time with Owen) and mostly a lack of time. On work days, the hours fly by like milliseconds and all of a sudden it’s bedtime. On non-work days I’m soaking up the hours with Owen or scrambling to get a million other things finished while he’s sleeping. Working out just isn’t as high on the priority list as laundry and groceries and projects around the house and watching tv with my husband.
Anyway, enough with the excuses, right? Once my big work event last week was over and I had spent the entire week gorging myself on catered meals, I decided enough was enough, and it was time to get back on the wagon.
After not working out since the beginning of January, this week I did:
- Monday: 2 dog walks (1.5 miles each, pushing the stroller), and a Jillian Michaels’ No More Trouble Zones workout dvd (40 minutes of strength training and abs)
- Tuesday: 2 walks to daycare and back (2 miles each, pushing the stroller 1/2 the time), and 2 levels of Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred (40 minutes of strength, cardio and abs)
- Wednesday: 2 walks to daycare and back (2 miles each, pushing the stroller 1/2 the time), and 45 minutes of some other form of cardio TBD (pure cardio is hard when I want to work out at home and don’t have any machines)
My muscles are BURNING. Apparently I’m not so good at easing back into things.
I felt strong, even on the strength training, and even after taking such a looooong break from working out. Which is empowering. And makes me want to do it again. Normally I would space out my strength training days so I could rest my muscles in between, but I’m pretty sure I will only be able to work out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, so I have to work with the days I have. In retrospect I should have done strength on Monday and Wednesday and done straight cardio yesterday, but my brain can only plan so many things ahead of time 
So, it’s a start. It’s one week that I accomplished working out 3 times. That’s not bad. Now my goal is to do it again next week. And the next one. And maybe even get 4 days a week in there once in awhile. But for now I’m going to count my blessings that I was able to fit 3 days in this week, and take next week as it comes.
Woohoo for working out! I used to have rules like that (no strength training two days in a row), but having a baby in the mix makes you have to forget those silly rules and workout when you can!
Go you, Kate! I am so like you–given that choice, Maya always wins … that’s why I find myself going to the gym at 830 once she’s asleep. It works now with hubby grinding away at his MBA but when he’s done (i.e., has time for me again!) that won’t be as easy. Walking is GREAT and I am thinking I might start up again with Jillian — I am long overdue and lugging an infant carrier SEEMS like a workout, but I need some serious strength training to tone this body!
It’s awesome that you are finding ways to squeeze exercise in again! Don’t discount the value of walking. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from our recent move from the city to suburbia, the several miles I walked every day in the city counted for a lot more in terms of keeping me in shape than I ever realized. So those walks to/from daycare really do add up!
On another topic, if you don’t mind me prying (I assume you don’t since you blog about all of this, ha!), how are you doing with your previous fertility issues? Did you end up getting a regular period back after having Owen? I’m curious more in terms of your heath than your plans (or lack thereof) for a second child.
great job being motivated!!
@Sara, You’re so right about walking everywhere! I guess I exercise a lot even when I don’t think about it. To answer your question about my fertility: I’m still waiting for my period. As of now I haven’t had a period since I went off birth control in January of 2009! I don’t even remember what it feels like anymore. I have a feeling I am getting close, though, because I’ve noticed some “signs” that may mean my period is on its way. I would be SO RELIEVED to be normal in that department again. But for now… still waiting.
That’s awesome Kate, truly!
If I could butt in on Sarah’s question and your reply: I haven’t gotten mine yet either and I also keep feeling little cringes here and there that make me feel like something’s brewing in there, but so far nothing!
Congrats! “Me” time, whether its working out, reading, whatever it may be, is always important. I’m sure as a mother even more so.
Way to go! Only about three weeks ago did I really get the drive to work out back. My son is six months old. I wasn’t sure that it would ever come back!
If you get bored of Jillian Michaels I totally suggest any or all the DVD’s by Tracy Anderson. I have really enjoyed the way she works out. The dance part is a lot of fun and total cardio craziness and the stretching aspect is really what does the amazing work. Also, I found the Physique 57 do wonders and are not as hard to work into the day. After I give birth I am committing myself to Tracy Anderson’s Post Pregnancy DVD when I am ready to get moving again
3 days in a week is a great start! I love that incorporate the day care/ dog walks as part of your exercise. Walking is an easy way to incorporate activity!