getting in shape

But that’s ok, because this is a blog about life, not just books. 🙂

Today’s post is about working out.

I have not worked out for years. In my 20’s, before having children, I worked out 4-5 times per week and stayed quite fit. I worked hard, partied hard, and was incredibly resilient. Then I had babies, and let’s just say everything “dropped,” and I’m not just talking about my exercise routine. These, days, I consume healthier foods than I did in my 20’s, but I don’t exercise. Not even a little bit. I could go on and on about why I stopped my workout routine, but that would be boring, and I’m sure most Moms out there are fully aware of my reasons.

For those of you who do not know me well, I am the type of person who wants to do something the second I think about it. I see no point in waiting. Yesterday, I thought to myself, “I want the body I had 10 years ago. I’m gonna get in shape!”

So–without hesitation–I brought this out:

And I worked my body hard, for a good 40 minutes, until I couldn’t take it anymore. It felt AMAZING! I felt so good after exercising, and I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner! I knew I’d be sore, but I stayed hydrated and stretched a bunch of times throughout the rest of the day to try to reduce the after-workout-pain.

When my kids came home, they saw the step in the middle of the living room and they did this:

And I thought, “how wonderful that the kids are into exercising, too!” We all had a lovely evening and everything was grand.

Then, I woke up this morning. And my first thought was: “Owww!” Then: “Wha? Why can’t I move? Crap!” And I stayed like this:

for a very long time. I have learned that my 30-something, post-children body does not have the same resilience it used to. The entire time I laid in bed, I mentally thanked my husband for taking care of the morning routine. Man, I love him.

Then I got up, hydrated, drank my green tea, and googled this: