As a working mom, my plate is more than full. I don’t say that to complain, it’s just the nature of the beast. When I went back to work, I really couldn’t imagine finding time to work out. Jeromy and I thought about joining a gym with childcare so that I could go, but I couldn’t bring myself to voluntarily leave Caroline in daycare when I could be spending that time with her. I kind of just accepted the fact that maybe I would get to work out at home or go for a run but maybe I wouldn’t until Caroline was older. I accepted that my body was not going to get back to what it was.
After a month back at work, I just couldn’t accept that anymore. I was unhappy with how I looked and more importantly, how I felt. Somehow, I had to find a spot on my overflowing plate for me {Check out Amanda’s great post on finding me time here}.
I signed up for Best Body Bootcamp and decided that I would work out whenever I possibly could. Often that means working out at 8:30 or 9 pm. Or that Caroline comes with me. It’s not ideal, but I’m fitting it in.
Most nights it is hard to motivate myself to work out after dinner, but I think about how good I feel when I’m done and I make myself go downstairs and do it and I never regret it when I’m done. It’s something that I do not just for me, but for my family. Taking care of me makes it easier for me to take care of them. A happy mama makes a happy home, right? 
After a month of boot camp, I feel stronger and just better overall. I have more energy. Now that I’m back in the working out groove, I find myself making better decisions about food too. One of my goals for boot camp was to eat only one sweet per day instead of mindlessly eating them throughout the day. In two weeks, I have only slipped once or twice. I’m more mindful of which sweet I want to eat and sometimes I’ll get to the end of the day without having one at all.
Making fitness a priority doesn’t come without some costs. It takes me a lot longer to put laundry away. The dishes may not be done right after dinner {on the nights that I cook dinner}. I don’t spend time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes at night. I don’t have much opportunity for knitting. But these are sacrifices that I am more than willing to make for my health. Eventually, everything will get done just in a different order. I knew that being a working mom would change my life completely, I’m just happy that I can continue to work out and set a positive example for my daughter.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely agree … a happy mama = happy home. I am so proud of you for making fitness a priority! You got to take care of yourself too
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family recently posted..Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Absolutely, I am loving that fitness is back in my life!
I have a five month old and I agree, it is hard to make the time. Nap time is out since he rarely sleeps longer than a half hour and mornings are difficult since he still has a three to four am feeding and mama is tired! On nice days I strap him into the ergo and walk a hilly neighborhood or climb stairs at a local park. We are still working out our schedules, but I think if he sees mom being healthy he will want to be healthy too!
Joanna @ Midwestern Bite recently posted..Welcome!
Joanna, that’s exactly why I work out with Caroline. The other morning she woke up way earlier than usual and I had to do a lower body workout with her in her playroom. She LOVED watching me–couldn’t stop laughing! And I counted all of the reps outloud for her. So we were spending time together and I got in a workout, it was a win-win
Oh my – it is hard to fit it all in and to not feel guilty about it. I’m still trying to squeeze everything in and having a hard time letting things go (like the dirty dishes that really only matter to me). Working out is very good for my mood though so it’s good for the people around me too
It is so hard to let things go! I just get a lot less sleep now, which I know isn’t good but I haven’t figured out a way around it yet.
It’s definitely a challenge and adjustment…but you do what you can and make the most of it for your health and to be an example. You know I think you’re doing great.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Heart Rate Zone Training
Thanks, Tina, I really couldn’t do it without you!
It is so hard to fit it all in with a family and work and everything else. But it sounds like you have been able to make it work and you should be so proud of that. I used to hate working out at night but found that was the only time that I could fit it in when I had a full-time job. But I got used to the new routine and it allowed me to fit fitness in. But you and Amanda are both spot on about the need to find me time.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Guilty Pleasures
Thanks, Christine! I’m adjusting but still find working out at night to be hard. As long as I’m breastfeeding, there really isn’t any other way. Once we’re done with breastfeeding I’m hoping to switch back to early morning workouts. We’ll see how it goes!