Sweat Out The Emotion & Get Some Clarity
Posted: March 17, 2011 at 6:41 pmThis week I have started trying something new with my workout schedule. I quickly learned how much I prefer running outdoors. Problem? I need someone to watch the kiddos for that to happen. Solution? Going in the afternoon. You may recall how much I hated afternoon workouts before because I felt I lost the entire evening. Luckily, I have found a way to make it work with running.
Now, I go to the gym in the morning for my weights workout, then go out for a quick 30 minute run in the afternoon. It works out quite nicely because I get to run outside and still have time for la familia in the afternoon. Win-win-win. I used this method on Tuesday to head to the gym for a quick full body weights workout in the morning:
| Step Ups | Legs | 3x12 |
| Barbell Bench Press | Chest | 3x10 |
| Leg Extension | Legs | 3x12 |
| Assisted Pull-Ups | Back | 3x10 |
| Side Lateral Raises | Shoulders | 3x10 |
| Dumbbell Hammer Curls | Biceps | 3x12 |
In-out-done in under 40 minutes, including a quick warm-up/cool-down on the elliptical. And I still felt great for my run that afternoon.
Today, I got my weights done in the morning again. This time, I resorted to an old favorite from the past year. Group Power! (<---my gym’s version of Bodypump) I normally like doing my own thing for weights, but it was nice to mix it up with the class.
After class, I came home craving a simple breakfast. Plain old cereal sounded perfect this morning. I nabbed some Cheerios and then spruced them up with chopped up Cinnamon Roasted Almonds and blueberries.
Who says you need to spend money on overpriced and oversugared fruit and nut cluster cereals? Fruit, nuts, and Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze are all you need to make plain cereal taste special.
The rest of the day went along as normal (thank goodness!) and before I knew it, it was time to head out for my run. I especially looked forward to my run today. Why? Well, two reasons. A – fine company to come out with me.
Even though they weren’t with me while I ran, I still loved having my family there because we could walk and just enjoy the outdoors together before and after my run. It ended up being a nice little afternoon.
And the second reason I looked forward to the run? I had some thinking to do. What better time to relieve some stress and sort through my thoughts than during a run?
The past couple of weeks have presented some motherhood challenges. Nothing major, but I have found myself questioning whether or not I’m a good mother on practically a daily basis. It all stems from Makenzie suddenly acting out a lot more and many times I feel like the one to blame. For not giving her enough attention. For not having enough patience. For not catering to her and doing whatever I can to make every day something exciting and fun for her.
Lately I get this feeling that Makenzie doesn’t feel the same devotion that she used to from me and I feel guilty. I feel like I constantly try to find ways to do more for my family and less for myself. Then I feel guilty when it reaches a point that I refuse to give up some parts of myself – like working out or writing this blog. I had to think all this through on my run today. Basically, I needed to sweat away the emotions to see the reality.
It’s okay to still have passions and care for myself because I DO balance them and keep my family first. I spend on average an hour a day working out, which is not going to make my family fall apart. And I include my family if at all possible. I save any and all blogging for naptime and, over the past couple of months, have really cut back on putting so much time and energy into the blog.
I am a good mom. I work hard to balance my life, yet always put them first. It’s likely why some days I end up feeling so run down after living so fully for someone else. Actually, make that THREE someone elses. Makenzie is not acting out more because I don’t show I love her.She is acting out because now I have two children to love so fully and she is having to adjust. Sure, I have my rough days where I could have a bit more compassion, but she still knows I love her. This all will pass with time. Until then, I will get through it. With some outdoor runs to help along the way. 😉
Question of the Day – Where do you find the hardest time finding balance?
Tags: breakfast, motherhood, running
Awww tina! Thanks for sharing that! these are all such great and deep things to think about! I think that you’re being a great mom from what I see~ 😀 And though I know nothing about motherhood, I know that God made a day to REST for a reason. So that we can be our best to serve Him and others the best way we can! And just like that REST DAY, I’m sure He’d want you and moms out there to take time for yourself. Also, as long as you raise MK in His love and His plans, then you’re doing the best thing you can in her life. I’m not expert, but just what I speculate! Stay strong! <3
What adorable pictures! I can’t imagine how hard it is balancing healthy living, a marriage, motherhood and everything that comes along with it. And I almost forgot…add a blog in there too! Trying to not stress the little things and focus on the bigger picture. P.S. I’m sure you’re a fabulous mother!
Ah, that is such mother-daughter love in those photos!! Warms my heart 🙂 I am sure it is totally natural for moms to have those kinds of guilt feelings (I know my mom does), but I’m so glad that running brought you that clarity to realize that you are an amazing mom with so much to balance. I’m sure I will experience emotions like this quite often when I have kids, so it’s really helpful and comforting to hear you share posts like this, Tina. Running definitely brings me clarity too – something about sweating and getting away from everything clears out my emotions.
YUM those almonds look delicious! i am a sucker for sweet covered almonds like the cocoa roast ones too!
ok that picture of you and baby M is ADORABLE! you are so lucky to have this blog so you will always have moments like this to capture and keep 🙂
right now I am having a hard time maintaining my rrelationship with my boyfriend with my competition…but its a work in progress 🙂
If you didn’t put time into yourself, your level of motherhood would suffer–you are a great mother, and you know that. Although, I know it must be hard.
Those last two pictures melt my heart.
Tina, you make me want to cry. This is beautiful and honest and heart felt. I know we haven’t met, but I truly believe you are an amazing mom, and that those two little kiddos are the luckiest. Thank you for sharing your full life with us!