One hour at a time
Last night after I wrote my last blog I did some serious thinking and decided I really need to get over myself. Thank you to those of you who commented on the post, giving me the reinforcement that I’m not alone and the kick in the pants to stop being my own little rain cloud.
I planned to go to the gym this morning at 9, when ChildWatch opened. 9 came and went; 10 came and went and I was still at home. I’d even dressed in sweats and an old t, something I NEVER do unless I’m going to exercise, yet I was still at home making excuses for why I couldn’t get out the door. I’m too tired. The kids aren’t dressed. The dogs are outside. That is truly how pathetic they were getting. So, I got the dogs in, the kids dressed and walked out the door figuring if I was already tired, what difference did the degree of it matter. Did a lower body strength routine and then more than 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, making sure I was in my target heart range for 30 minutes. I did 2.1 miles in 30 minutes. There is no reason in the world that I can’t take one hour a day and go to the gym at least 5 days a week. Not like I’m the CEO of a company or anything. I don’t have to worry about being interrupted as my son now enjoys going, after 30 seconds of crying while I’m walking out the door. (They do learn guilt trips early!) I get both my workouts in and if I want to do an extra 15 minutes, no one is going to care. And if I can’t get there during the day, well, they’re open until 10.
As of today, I am taking responsibility for my health and that of my children. I cannot be a good mother by being unhealthy. I have no incurable or debilitating disease. I have no plausible excuse so I am not going to make them anymore. Well, I will at least force myself to face the excuse and see what is causing it. The truth of it is, I like to exercise. I always have. I am no longer going to punish myself by not allowing myself to do something I enjoy.
My husband and I finished the first round of the Fitness Challenge Game. The goal was 40 points or 3 workouts a week. He got 50 points and I got 47. Since that is considered a tie, and neither of us lost any weight, we changed the requirements for this next 8 weeks. There is some dietary things added in and 5 workouts a week, for me there are also 2 full body strength training sessions required. The worst part of it for me is that for the first 4 weeks, I cannot weigh myself. We’re 3 days into it so far. Thank you, WW, for pointing to Bob Greene. I reread the book you used and got his latest. Both my husband and I think it’s something we can do.
Good for you and your husband. The only thing my husband and I could compete on was blood sugar levels, as he was always the correct weight. He was a smart aleck! No, it just came natural to him. His whole family never had weight problems but they all became diabetic in later years. In the genes, I am sure. GO FOR IT!! Marge
Good for you for deciding to take control and JUST DO IT! I am here rooting you on!
Diane, you are really something. You truly never give up. You have those moments where maybe you slow down some, but then you think about it, analyze it and then you get right back on. Sure, alot of people do the same thing but they gain alot back and have to start over. But you just have these little moments and you work through them. As far as Bob Greene goes, I love the book. Whenever I would lose enthusiasm, I would read that book a little here and there and it would get me back on track. Like reading it would make losing weight sound very easy if I would just stick to this that and the other. Good luck with the game. Kick your husband’s butt this next go round!