That is the question. I have the option of joining a gym. I've talked with my dear hubby about it and he agrees that it's something we could go for. Summer is coming, and walking or running in 100+ degrees just doesn't sound that thrilling. There is a Y that is fairly close by with childcare as part of the family package. They even take babies as young as 6 weeks. Sunflower is 6 weeks. And they have classes that could help keep me motivated. I could use that. I've never actually worked out before. Well, except for walking. And the short amount of time I tried the Couch to 5K (I never finished the program, we got pregnant with Sunflower before I could). So the motivation could really be a good thing.
But just when I get excited and think I'm going to go for it, the frugal side of me steps in. We do have a swimming pool in our backyard. Couldn't I just swim laps when I put the kids down for a nap? And I do have several different workout videos, including a pretty decent Pilates one. Shouldn't I use those? Doing this all at home could save us quite a bit when you consider that a family membership to the Y runs around $80 a month.
Fence sitting is not helping my waist line, and I'm eager to fit into normal clothes again, even if they are just my "fat jeans". Do you have a gym membership? Do you like it? If you don't, what do you do for exercise at home? How do you stay motivated? I would love any help you could give a beginner like myself.
4 comments:
Funny, I was just thinking of writing a series of blog posts about moms and exercising. Can you do a trial month at the Y? That would be a low-risk way to see if that works for your family. I am happy to have a treadmill so when it gets too hot (and it's starting to) or when my husband and older sons go camping (like this weekend), I can still run (or walk). I've also been going out at 530 am to beat the sun because the biting flies come out at before dawn. I also prefer to have specific goals or a program (like the Couch to 5k) so that I know exactly what I'm supposed to do. A class at the Y would serve the same purpose. For a few weeks I did the Crossfit workout of the day with my husband (it's online), and I did like that and keep telling myself I need to keep at it. It doesn't take long at all (15 minutes usually) and works large muscle groups. My husband said a man (who was generally fit) did only that workout every day for a year and then entered a triathlon and came in 3rd.
I say join the gym. It will help your motivation to know that you are paying monthly for the membership. Plus, once you get over the strangeness of working out in front of other people, you might find another source of motivation from them. "If she can keep up so can I!" I know with me I will ALWAYS find something "more important" to do at home, i.e. that laundry that is calling your name. And using kid's nap time to swim laps? Your alone time is important too. Rest when they rest, right? Go for the gym. If you hate it, you can always cancel.
You go girl!
Ashleigh
I too was just like you. We had a pool, I could bike, or walk/jog as our house was on the trail for petes sake. As you have recently learned that having 3 children, priorities have their place in line and you know that working out will fall last every single time and you will be sitting right where you are right now. When we moved to FL we joined the Y and I LOVE it!!!! The kids love going to the kids club and it has been amazing. It is great ME time and I know my kids are taken care of. I say, join the gym, it is worth it to take care of yourself. If you find you don't use it you can always cancel it:) You can do it!!! Love ya--Jenn N
Michelle, I would love it (and I'm sure other moms out there would too) if you did a series on moms and exercise! I'll be staying tuned. ;-) You made some very good points about having a goal in mind. That may be key to staying motivated after the eagerness starts to wear off and things get hard.
I went down today and joined the YMCA. So excited, except I'm still not feeling all that great about leaving the baby with someone else. But it's really only for an hour, right? At least that's what I keep trying to tell myself. That might be the hardest part for me right now. But I took a tour today and met the child care ladies and they seem nice, though the kiddy area is not really the cleanest it could be. But then again, neither is a park and I take my kids there too. Ok, I'm going to stop before I talk myself out of it again. ;-)
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