StantonHyde
04-18-2007, 12:49 PM
I am on such a high. I just got back from a 7 day backpacking trip that was AWESOME. I did not see DH or DCs for almost 9 days. And I feel great. I just wanted to share my story with moms who despair of ever getting in shape or who are reluctant to leave their families.
1. Getting in shape. I was a good 20 pounds overweight last fall--DD #2 was done BFing and I was ready to lose weight but then my mom died and losing weight was the last thing I could handle. I was exercising sporadically. I signed up for the backpacking trip in October, so I knew I had a deadline. By January, I was up against a wall. I could run 2 miles 3 days a week. I needed to run 4 miles, 6 days a week. I set out a plan and started increasing my mileage. I had setbacks from illness, but by the end, I was running 3.5 miles 6 days a week. I ended up about 10 pounds overweight. I exercised after work (yep,left the kids in daycare an extra 40 mins) and I bought a double stroller for my days off. I came back from the trip weighing the same but my pants are falling off me!!! I am so psyched to keep pushing myself. (20 year college reunion in June!)
2. Leaving the kids. I work 3 days a week and have kids in daycare for 4. DH does about 20% of the child care time/duties due to his work schedule. I LOVE my kids. I NEEDED a break! I am so relaxed now, so at peace, so much more patient, so fulfilled for ME. My ILs flew up to help out for the whole week (actually FIL has Parkinsons so he is half a kid!) I put the kids in daycare 5 days a week. My SIL even flew in to help!!! DH had 1:1 staffing for every needy person there. The kids were clingy with him in the evening, but otherwise ok. DS (4.5 yrs) had only one bad day of missing me. Everyone is fine and nobody is scarred for life!!! DH and I started 2 long weekends a year getaways when DS was one. Obviously, had to take a break for a while (18 mos) once DD was born. Then we went for 5 days--so I started small and worked up.
So go for it! Set a goal-- a race or something, make a plan and do your best. It will be the best present you have ever given yourself.
1. Getting in shape. I was a good 20 pounds overweight last fall--DD #2 was done BFing and I was ready to lose weight but then my mom died and losing weight was the last thing I could handle. I was exercising sporadically. I signed up for the backpacking trip in October, so I knew I had a deadline. By January, I was up against a wall. I could run 2 miles 3 days a week. I needed to run 4 miles, 6 days a week. I set out a plan and started increasing my mileage. I had setbacks from illness, but by the end, I was running 3.5 miles 6 days a week. I ended up about 10 pounds overweight. I exercised after work (yep,left the kids in daycare an extra 40 mins) and I bought a double stroller for my days off. I came back from the trip weighing the same but my pants are falling off me!!! I am so psyched to keep pushing myself. (20 year college reunion in June!)
2. Leaving the kids. I work 3 days a week and have kids in daycare for 4. DH does about 20% of the child care time/duties due to his work schedule. I LOVE my kids. I NEEDED a break! I am so relaxed now, so at peace, so much more patient, so fulfilled for ME. My ILs flew up to help out for the whole week (actually FIL has Parkinsons so he is half a kid!) I put the kids in daycare 5 days a week. My SIL even flew in to help!!! DH had 1:1 staffing for every needy person there. The kids were clingy with him in the evening, but otherwise ok. DS (4.5 yrs) had only one bad day of missing me. Everyone is fine and nobody is scarred for life!!! DH and I started 2 long weekends a year getaways when DS was one. Obviously, had to take a break for a while (18 mos) once DD was born. Then we went for 5 days--so I started small and worked up.
So go for it! Set a goal-- a race or something, make a plan and do your best. It will be the best present you have ever given yourself.