to hear. Before you get angry and mentally prepare your email of reasons why I’m crazy, just keep
reading. I have 4 children (ages 11,10,7,7) that I had in 4 years. I am crazy because, well, I’m in this club
called motherhood. If I don’t take steps of self-preservation, I will become a raging lunatic (okay okay, a
bigger lunatic). I workout 4 days a week and still manage to be a mom to 4 boys who thrive on
destruction, violence, and dirt. You can, too!
- I exercise for 20 minutes. That’s it. I don’t have time to waste because those kids need dinner
and I have a career too. In order to get the most bang for my buck, I lift heavy weights which
results in both aerobic and anaerobic bliss. In other words, I don’t lift and do cardio because the
heavy lifting becomes my cardio. In 20 minutes I set up a chain reaction of fat-burning that lasts
over 24 hours. Everyone has 20 minutes in their day.
- I exercise at home. I learned that the gym was zapping my precious time. 20 minute drive
there, shuffling kids into the boring childcare area, getting interrupted all the time (hello, I have
ear buds in, go away), and then picking up those bored kids, and driving 20 minutes back home.
At home I have my space and my kids can either join my workout or go play (yes, I have locked
them outside before). I have just saved myself an hour!
- I exercise for endorphins. Kids can be so exhausting and downright annoying if we are playing
the honesty game. In order to prevent screaming at them or letting them run the show, I rely on
happy hormones that follow my intense workouts to keep me happy. Exercise is therapeutic so I
get my stress out and let joy in. Then I’m equipped to handle tantrums and homework.
yourself, how can you really take care of your family? Get creative and have them join you (I love to
race my son with sprints). If they’re small enough, use them as your weight! Take them to a park and
while they go down the slide, you’re doing calf raises. Show them that being fit and taking care of our
bodies is important.
