I am so grateful that I can be a working mother. I love my job, and couldn't imagine giving it up to stay home full time. I also LOVE my son. I miss him while I'm at work and look forward to picking him up at 4pm each afternoon and spending the evening with him before he goes to bed at 8.
The one thing that I have given up (other than sleep!), is going to the gym. I would REALLY like to get back the gym. I feel much better after working out, and even though I am down to my pre-preggo weight, the distribution of weight is quite different and I have a bit of a belly I would like to work on!
Now...I can't imagine going to the gym after 8pm. Golly, I don't even get to eat dinner until after 8. So when do I find time to go where I don't have to sacrifice time with baby Zach?! I would gladly wake up a little early and go then, but he is still so unpredictable with his sleep waking habits. If he woke up at 6:30 every morning, then I would go to the gym at 5:15. Today, he woke up at 5:45 for breakfast. I am NOT waking up at 4:15 am just to work-out! AHHHHH. I would love to have a little "me" time, but I feel like the 8 hours a day I have him at day care while I am working is "me" time.
Adam doesn't quite understand my logic. He thinks I should just leave the baby at daycare for another hour while I go to the gym. Thing is...I couldn't bear to sacrifice the wonderful extra hour of time I get with my boy in the afternoons. I cherish every moment (especially the ones before 6pm when he starts getting tired and his attitude goes downhill fast).
What's a mom to do? I still haven't figured that one out yet.
3 comments:
Miki, there are actually programs out there that allow mom to work out with their babe in tow. There's Stroller Strides, Baby Boot Camp, Stroller Fit, Stroller Mamas, Salsa Babies (you might really like this one, lol), etc, etc, etc. The first ones, you take Zach with you in his stroller, and they incorporate him into your "weight lifting" portion, and you sing songs, etc. Both times I've done Stroller Strides, I was sore the first month and a half of the program, so they definitely work.
Salsa Babies, you wear Zach in a Snugli, and do a combination Salsa class/exercise routine. I hear it's also very effective.
There's also a ton of Mommy and Me yoga classes out there. If you're interested in just staying home, there's also the Yoga Mommies dvds - I have the prenatal dvd and it was great.
HTH, and glad to hear you're doing well!
Thanks Mir! I should try an at home dvd. Charlottesville (30 mins away) has Stroller Strides, but I guess part of my problem is that we live in the middle of NOWHERE..and there don't seem to be any mommy and me classes. I would enroll in one of those in a heartbeat if they were close just to meet a few more new moms!
I went through a kick where I exercised at home a lot. Do it now while Zach can't move, LOL. Because once he can move around, he can get under your feet. :) Another suggestion is to go on walks around the neighborhood with your stroller. Not as fun as a big group in Charlottesville, but Mommy & baby time combined with exercise.
Good luck! It IS hard to find a balance. And as soon as you get a routine, your baby will change and you'll have to adjust. I think it's just part of being a mom.
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