Uggghh...I'm throwing in the towel. The white flag is waving...my hands are up...
(Okay, I can't think of any more surrendering/giving up images)
I've been trying for 3 weeks now to get up before the children and work out. I can probably count on one hand the number of times that it's been successful. I don't know how those of you who work out in the morning do it. So, I'm giving up the morning ideal...I guess it's back to working out after the kids go to bed.
I would MUCH prefer to get up and start my day with a workout. It's just so much more enjoyable for me. I can't stand working out at night - I'm tired from the day and just want to relax, not get revved up. I have a hard time going to sleep after working out. But, I don't think I have any other choice.
EVERY.SINGLE.MORNING. my children wake up as I'm trying to work out. Today was no exception.
They normally wake up at 6:45 am to get ready for school. I went to bed early, and set my alarm for 5:30 am - plenty of time to work out and get washed up before they wake up, right?
Ummm.....NOPE. By 5:40, all three of them were up, crying out for me (which is probably how the second and third one woke up - the first one stood at the top of the stairs and yelled at the top of his lungs "CAN I COME DOWN?!?!?!"). They're now going to be tired, with more than an hour less of sleep under their belts, and I can't work out. Grrrr....It starts my day in a cranky mood, and I'll be honest, I hate it.
I've tried working out during the day - which is fine if it's a non-preschool day. But, if it's a preschool day, otherwise known as Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, I don't have enough time to get the baby to sleep, workout, and clean myself up to a presentable state before having to go get the oldest at school. It's incredibly frustrating.
So - I guess I am asking for your thoughts and prayers. I need to keep up the motivation to work out, and the idea of working out at night makes me sick. It's going to take all of my willpower to try and do that. Any help you can send my way is much appreciated!!!
Thanks.
-Heidi
On preschool days, can you break up your workouts into 15 minute sessions? One in the morning a couple in the afternoon and then you're only left with another 15 at night? You could also work out for longer and up the intensity 3 days a week that aren't as hectic (ha! joke, I know) and then do shorter and less intense workouts on the preschool days so you're not dreading it as much or just focus on toning exercises on those days so you can just lay on the floor when the opportunity presents itself for ab work, etc. Also, maybe throw the little boys in the stroller for a walk? You can bundle them up a lot so they're toasty and maybe the baby would even fall asleep? I know it's tricky, hang in there!
ReplyDeletePS...I totally gave up on waking early because of the same reason, I ended up having to get up at 4:30 because the kids would hear me by 5:30 and it wasn't worth the aggravation but now they go down at 7 (the little ones anyways) and I can get on the treadmill then and also run outside for a lot longer on the weekends when I have reinforcements.