If you hadn’t noticed lately by my Instagram and Twitter feeds, I’ve been going through a lot in my personal life. For awhile now I’ve been sidetracked on my goal of becoming healthy and fit, and a few months ago I decided that was it. Though I will always put my kids first, I needed to put me second. I’ve been eating healthier, working out 4-5x a week and you know what? I am feeling like me again.
It really is amazing how much of ourselves we lose when we become wives and parents – like I can’t remember last time I was just Krissy. I’m always Kenzie’s Mom, or his wife, or their daughter, her sister, etc. And though I think it’s a great gift (and responsibility) to be these things, we really shouldn’t lose ourselves in the process.
Trust me, I know it’s hard. I seriously have used every excuse in the book on why I just couldn’t. But there is a saying that goes “It’s not about ‘having’ time. It’s about making time”
As much as I hate to say it, it’s true! We make time for what is important to us, and most of the time ‘we’ are not on that list.
Now I know we are all busy – we don’t have hours to go to the gym, or a ton of money to pay a personal trainer. But there are things you can do to make the time you do have work for you!
Take Full Advantage of Every Kid Free Moment. I know you just want to lay on the couch and veg when you get time without the kids. Catch up on your DVR of shows you never get to watch because you’re usually getting the kids in the tub, or doing homework, or they have taken over the T.V. with some kinda’ crazy kid show. Maybe you want a nap, or read a book – and there are times when you need that. But don’t make it a habit. If you are a SAHM take full advantage of the hours that the kids are in school – yes you have cleaning and laundry to do, dinner to prepare. But I promise you, making sure you get your workout time in – you will feel better and have more energy to tackle those tasks.
Since I work outside the home I rarely if ever have a kid free moment; but, my oldest is now old enough to babysit so I put my youngest to bed and I’m off to the gym for an hour a few nights a week. No distractions (and a work out buddy helps) I’m just a few minutes away with my cell phone in hand if something happens to go wrong, but you know what? Those are the most peaceful 60 minutes of my day. If something comes up and I can’t make it to the gym, as soon as all the kids are in bed I’m pulling up workout videos online. My favorite work outs to do are dances (it keeps my mind busy learning the steps, and they are way more fun than regular cardio). My 2 favorite to do right now are on YouTube, called the Dark Horse Workout and the Whip Dance/Workout. If you do these a couple times in the evenings I promise you will feel it!
Use Those Dumbbells. I am not saying you want to be a bodybuilder, (I definitely don’t) but pumping iron is an effective way to get rid of belly fat even if you only do it twice a week for 30 minutes. I try to incorporate light dumbbells into my dance workouts, or just going on a walk. Remember just like everything else in life, you want to work smarter not harder.
Get a Playlist. I cannot even tell you how much music keeps me going when I’m working out. I bought an awesome pair of blue tooth headphones from Best Buy this year, and it was the best purchase I’ve made! (no cords to get in the way when I’m in the groove). I don’t have a lot of music actually downloaded on my phone, but Pandora is my best friend. I found an awesome station Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout – though I’m not a fan of some of the songs, the beat is just the right tempo to keep me going. I have to admit if you ever see me at the gym you very well might see me doing a little jig on the treadmill as I push myself and try to get in rhythm with the music!
Remember, even if you start out slow, you’re still lapping everyone just sitting on the couch!
