Tags
accepting body, changing body, changing perceptions, children, Family, going to the gym, gym, Home, motherhood, parenting, parents, Starbucks, stay at home mom, workout
Why is it so hard to get to the gym? Ahhhh!!!!!
And once I am there, why is it so hard to push myself? I feel like even when I can gather up enough motivation to get myself in the gym, once I am there, I am more interested in listening to my music and zoning out, than really pushing myself in a workout!
Sometimes I feel like being a stay at home mom just completely zaps my motivation to do the things I know I need to do for me– like go to the gym. The funny thing is that even though I don’t enjoy going to the gym, I can’t deny that once I get it into my routine and I have been going consistently, I feel much better about myself in general. I carry myself more confidently, my tolerance for whining goes up, my patience gets longer and overall my husband thinks I am totally the bomb as I am perkier and let’s be honest he likes it when my butt is like POW!
You would think that knowing that would be enough to get my motivation going, but like so many other things, it doesn’t seem to matter…
All my life I was an athlete. When I think of myself, I think of an athlete, however when I look in the mirror, I see a thirty something mom who is still trying to get herself back after the re-distribution of childbirth. Not that I was a hard body by any means and this mama has never seen a six pack or a size six for that matter. I think I have been a size 12 since I was 12 (or even younger) and have always been the girl with the “big bones”; I am also 5’9” tall.
When I was in my teens and early twenties, the only thing that I had to focus on was my education, my job and finding the right partner to share my life with. A big job, but nothing compared to my job now.
While thinking of myself as an athlete should be the fuel to light my workout fire, I think it kinda does the opposite. I feel like I need to think of myself as a woman who wants to take great care of herself and with that, the expectations go from needing to be the top competitor (the athlete) to the gal who is satisfied and thrilled with just getting there and doing it.
When I am in the mindset of the top athlete, I don’t ever seem be able to do what I think I should and therefore just blowing it off seems a lot easier when there are other things to do like laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, or going to Starbucks.
It’s time, yet again, to cut myself some slack and meet me right here, right now.
Right here and right now what I need is to get there, everything else is added bonus. If getting to the gym means that I get to zone out and listen to music for an hour while moving, that is an hour more of moving than sitting on the couch in my fuzzy pants watching Mikey Mouse Clubhouse right?
Of course when I get home from the gym, the fuzzy pants get busted out and I bask in the soft comfort of knowing that I did it for today.
I guess part of this process is just realizing that although we are still the same people that we were years ago, parenting and more specifically being a mother changes us.
For some, the changes might be emotional, others physical, or in my case both. I think coming to a place of peace means that we also have to not only be grateful but forgiving and accepting of ourselves right here, right now.
Easier said than done, but the journey continues and the more we reflect, the more we understand about how to unconditionally love ourselves the way we are right now, just like we strive to be that unconditional love and support for our kiddos.
Mantra for today: I will learn to LOVE my muffin top!
the struggle goes on and embracing it might be the answer….i know that the balance between acceptance and goals without being depressed is my challenge
The lifelong struggle… I guess we all have our things! FYI- you are the best!
Great timing. As I sat down to read this, I was on my second Dunkin Donut! ugh!
The fact that you even manage to get to the gym, if only to zone out for an hour, is the “me time” you need and deserve. I say good for you! Mommyhood is hard. Sounds like you are doing a fabulous job!
You are too sweet! I am trying, as we all do on a daily basis 🙂 I LOVE doughnuts, btw!!
Being myself a wife and mother of a 3.33 year old. I hear ya!! The gym is not my friend but like you I too see all the positives for me and those who surround me on a daily basis:)) I’m also a nurse 5’4” 120lbs… Yep I’m skinny. But oooo would I love to be called athletic!!! So this am I head to the gym to work on that and leave happy with who iam not matter what. FYI I’m my highly motivated state I hired a personal trainer. So worth the $. Never worked out this hard ever. You get what you pay for. And you get in what you put in.
I am feeling inspired…. the more I hear from you, the more I want to get in the gym and get back on the program 🙂 I need a personal trainer so I have no excuses!!
Good for you! Keep moving!! I hired a personal trainer and she has done wonders for my motivation. It’s her job, but it’s my gift to me and I love it 🙂
Good for you!!! A wonderful gift for yourself!!!