Every single one of us has more than we should on our plate. Most of us are parents. Some of stay home, and some of us work outside the home. Each of these factors creates a specific set of challenges when it comes to mapping out our daily schedules.
Here’s my story:
I have 2 children and I’m a stay at home/work at home mom. My son just started kindergarten and his school is 32 miles from our house. I am on the board for the PTO at my son’s school. I have a 21 month old daughter, I think that’s all I need to say about that! I am co-manager for the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I also co-own a blog design firm. Plus, I try to blog on my personal blog as much as possible. I love photography and spend as much time as possible behind the camera. I prepare 3 meals a day, pack a lunch, help with homework, do laundry, feed the pets, clean the house, drive a lot, squeeze in some reading, and try to bathe everyday. Did I mention that my husband works in a different city during the week?
I get up at 6:15 a.m. and try to get in bed before midnight.
I’m not telling you all this so you’ll feel sorry for me, because I know your life is just as busy. I am not complaining either. I love my life. I choose to do all of these things (well, except the whole laundry and cleaning thing. Damn those necessary evils!).
Fitness has never fit into my schedule. Let me rephrase that. I have never bothered to fit fitness into my schedule. It wasn’t a priority. Call it one of those darned necessary evils, if you will. I had enough to do, and was already scheduled to the hilt each day. Plus, I’m not a big fan of sweating.
It wasn’t until recently, I realized fitness needed to be part of my daily routine. It was kinda like, huh, all the cool kids are doing it, and it seems to be working for them. Okay, let me be honest, it was a purely selfish decision. I was tired of my butt jiggling and the whole ‘hi Helen’ affect of my upper arms. Sheesh. If I was going to work SO hard to lose all of this weight, I might as well look good when I was done. Selfish. Vain, if you will.
So, I started Shredding with the Sisterhood. During the first week, I went from amazing energetic highs to soreness so intense I would cry out in pain when my kids jabbed their bony elbows into my thighs. I may or may not have even gotten stuck in the sitting position once or twice. You’ve been there, right? When I was done with the 30-Day Challenge, I felt so much better. I looked better. I was less jiggly.
Since then, I’ve been working hard to fit fitness into my routine. It may not happen every single day, but I’m more aware of how I feel when I don’t make time. I also more aware of how wonderful I feel when I do make time. I’ve come to accept I’m not going to be one of those people who becomes addicted to working out. I do feel better, and I know I look better, and I do have that wonderful energy, but honestly I still struggle daily with motivation to fit it in.
So tell me, how do you feel about exercise? Is it part of your daily life? Is it something you struggle with? Do you lose your motivation easily? What keeps you motivated?
I do know one thing for sure. The EA Sports Active 30-Day challenge might just change the way I feel about this whole fitness craze. One day at a time.
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