Workout Woes

A couple of months ago, I started feeling progressively more sluggish and dealing with progressively more back soreness. I kept trying to ignore it and chalking it up to not getting enough sleep or overdoing it playing with the boys, but deep down I knew the real problem. I knew that the real issue was that I needed to start working out. And not just "chasing the boys around" working out--actual, intentional, workouts (and yoga!). After running the 5k back in May, I didn't really do much else the rest of the summer, aside from occasional short jogs, long walks, or bike rides with the boys. I knew working out would help me feel better (even though I always drag my heels about getting a workout started), and I knew I needed a plan. So I made one. I found a full-body circuit workout with weights, an upper body circuit workout with weights, and a daily ab exercises workout. I mixed in various cardio--running, yoga, pilates--and put together a schedule. A schedule that had me working out five days a week. And for the first time in a long time, I actually stuck to it. Even if it meant lifting weights at 9:00 pm or going for a run before church--I got my workouts in.

But you know what I didn't get in? Consistent meal planning. Relaxing evenings with Darrell. Organized play dates with friends. Time to tackle items on my to-do list (including one that has literally been on my list for nearly three weeks). It's not even that I forced myself to do terribly lengthy workouts or anything--most were only 30 minutes--but I think I just got so wrapped up in the logistics and scheduling of all the workouts that I majorly let other things slip around the house. I know there are moms (and dads!) who can and have to do it all, but as it turns out, I'm not that person. I committed to it, and I certainly tried, but I would be very hard pressed to say that I was successful at integrating workouts into my daily schedule. Hopefully someday I will be (and when that time comes I will probably try to ease into it a little bit better!), but for now I think I'm going to return to the "old" status quo--with maybe a little extra effort to squeeze a workout in here or there. And I'm not going to beat myself up over that decision--as it turns out, I have plenty of other things on my plate that need my attention.