Time.
1 day. 24 hours. 1,440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. It's the same for each of us.
We're all busy. We work. We live. We play. We train.
I've gotten many more comments recently about how time consuming training is, and how am I fitting everything in, especially with the recent addition of P90X? Lindsay's comment made me smile --
"ok, marathon training is time consuming enough (ie i have no life). triathlon training, i can't imagine. tri + p90x? and you work? and you raise terron? and you have a social life? you are super woman, but i've told you that before!"
As much as I'd love to BE super woman, I'm far from it! No capes, no super human powers, no super-tight clothing.
I think it's just about decisions, motivation, and flexibility.
Ok, here it is.
Part of my motivation to start running back in 2007 was to shed a few pounds. In the beginning I did, but it plateaued. Normal. Added cycling and swimming, still not much change. Have weight trained in the past, but never consistently, so still not reaching my goals. In the last 3 weeks, I've noticed changes... good ones, and I'm enjoying it! I'm motivated again!
Flexibility is hugely important. I had previously commented on my expectations with adding P90X into my days... If a workout doesn't happen because I'm too busy, too tired, over-extended, then it will be missed, and I will not cry over it. This is just to supplement time in a gym that yields few results because of my lack of discipline there. I admit it! I'm concentrating and focusing on triathlon stuff, the P90X is bonus. Funny thing is, I've only missed one day of P90X since I started... Christmas Day. I did my 30min scheduled run after we had breakfast and opened gifts, and that's all I could manage that day.
I'm a mom first, time at home is important -- I've done my P90X in the living room while Terron is playing a PS3 game... do you know how awesome it is to hear him say "Wow mom, you can do that?!" while I'm working out! Or him peeking from overtop of the ottoman, saying "Come on Mom, you can finish it...!". He's even joined in for a minute or two here and there. I work full time, but have a huge advantage of working at home, for which I'm extremely thankful. Typically, I wake up at about 7:15am to send Terron to school, and usually start teaching at 9. I can work out during the time where I'd otherwise need to commute. My masters swim sessions are generally when Terron is asleep, my bike is on the trainer and I'm riding indoors during these winter months -- not as enjoyable but makes it easier.
I think a lot of it comes down to decisions. The old me; before brain surgery, before I quit smoking, before I found the joy in life and being active, would come home from work, laze around a bit, grab something quick to eat for dinner and perhaps spend the rest of the evenings watching tv, on the computer or on the phone. Now, the new me is embracing life, and enjoying everything I'm doing, ambitious and can't wait to see what's next! If there's something on tv that I really want to watch, but conflicts with something I want to do, I PVR it instead of planting myself on the couch for the rest of the night! Yes, it's all cutting into my blogging time-- reading, commenting and writing... I'm trying to keep up! :)
If you're waiting for the days to get longer, more time to be made available for you, then it's time well-wasted.
Today is my second brick of this training cycle! Keep your fingers crossed for me!! Thanks :)
37 comments:
That is so the right attitude when it comes to life and training and fitness etc. Hope you're enjoying P90X - my sister is doing it right now and LOVES it!
You're preaching to the choir, although I do like my cape! I like to say, get in where you fit in and it sounds like you're making things fit! great job.
I agree, Mel. It's all about decisions and priorities. I love that you do the P90X when Terron is there. Just another way you are being such an awesome role model for him!
Where there is a will, there's a way! I think it is so fantastic that your son is so supportive. You are definitely teaching him good habits!
I am a big fan of the lunch run so that it frees up my evening (plus I am more likely to talk myself out of a run if it is late at night).
OK-I'm gonna second Lindsay and say you are Superwoman!! At the very least you are a superb time manager with her head on straight. Very admirable and worthy of the title Superwoman even without the superhuman powers! Great job on the P90X. It is a great program! Good luck on the Brick!
Well said!
That is so awesome! You have said it, P90X is very versatile, being able to do it at home without going to a gym, saves a lot of time. Your story is so amazing. Keep up the great work!
wait the days aren't going to get longer? guess that's why I do my workout in the am :) PX90..I still really want to try it, but I just haven't wanted to pay for it. sad but it's true!
What? You mean, you don't put on the nice read wonder women suit. Geesh! I agree it is about decisions and making sacrifices. Instead of watching tv and relaxing on the couch we run, when we could be sleeping we ride. You make time for things that are important. You are doing great Mel.
"If you're waiting for the days to get longer, more time to be made available for you, then it's time well-wasted."
Oh so true! Something we all need to be reminded of from time to time...keep it up, ROCKSTAR! ;)
Such a timely post for me to read. :) You go girl/mom!
You have the right attitude for sure! I get the questions a lot because I work full-time, go to school part-time, work part-time, volunteer and train for half marathon and triathlon but I think it is what you said- we are all given the same amount of time in the day...it is how we use it. It is all about balance!
Thanks for the motivational post! I was just sighing, thinking about getting up when it's still dark and bitter cold outside to run. And I beg to differ...you are superwoman.
Isn't it great to be in the midst of doing so many great things??!!! I love being as busy as possible. I only put myself first with my workouts because if I don't work out, I get fat and if I get fat, I die WAY too early and then I'm not here at all for the boys!
Nice job on the weight training, helps get some nice tone and definitions! Too bad I can't get ya hooked on the "bells!"
That's funny-I was just saying to friend that I need 4 more hours in a day. I'd prefer them all to come after the kids are asleep!
You're rightThe best we can do is make the most of the time we have!
I still think you're super woman. :o)
I dunno. Are you sure that you don't have a flux capacitor and a car that, when going 88 miles per hour, goes back in time? That is the only way I think I could get all of that in!
Well said, you do what you gotta do to fit your life! You're truly amazing!
You always find time for the things you enjoy in life! Simple. :-) Love that bit where you describe Terron motivating you or being impressed. That must give heaps of motivation ...
You ARE seriously Super Mom! I'm amazed at all you are able to fit in! Way to go!
What I love the most about what we do. We play, its like we are little kids again. All we did as kids is swim, bike, and run. We are just lucky enough to relive our childhood again.
Great post Mel, and so true! It's all about priorities. Within reason, there is enough time if we make time for what's important and cut out the fluff. I know I'll struggle with this once the baby is here and I have her to think about but I hope I can remember this mindset.
i was just telling elliot last night that when i am productive i get a TON done, but when i am not productive i get nothing at all done. i'm such an all or nothing person it's crazy,... like it just plays itself out. if i am going-going-going i almost prefer that even though it is nice to sit and do nothing... but then i just feel bad about how that stretches itself out into a whole lotta nothingness :)
great attitude (and thanks for the shoutout)! good reminder that we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and that's up to us to choose what we will do with them! i tend to, um, insert lazy time too much. for some reason i feel i 'deserve' it when the truth is i'm not nearly as productive as everyone else. sure i got my run in, but i did not do any tidying around the house like i need to. i also need to do "workouts" other than just run -- like abs and stretch!
this was a little motivating to me to get me moving on all fronts, thank you!
you make excellent points. it IS all about priorities. and yeah, i LOVE TiVo! it makes getting everything done in a day so much easier. and it sounds like you are doing great, and loving it, and in the end that's all that matters. so good for you!
Your son is so supportive. So awesome! ;)
Great post, i couldn't agree more. it's all about what we choose to do with our time. kids, jobs, etc...we all have stuff going on. some of us are just more determined to be healthy!
Excuses are a waste of time. You are SMART for knowing that!!!!
You have a great attitude and time-management skills to match! You are a first-rate mom, an inspiration, and an awesome person. :)
You are doing a great job! Getting a plan together is what makes it all work!
You are so dedicated :) I love how your son is so impressed!
Great job on the P90X, I am so afraid of those DVD's. :) Great post!
Great job getting everything in! Whenever people who don't work out ask how I fit it in, I just remind them it's all about priorities.
I'm always amazed by the Moms who seem to do it all - like you! Thanks for sharing a little bit of your wisdom. :) Keep it up!
I had to chuckle over the vision of you doing P90X in the living room while your son was playins his games. There have been MANY times that I have done a stability ball or bosu ball strength routine in my living room while cooking dinner and helping my daughter with her homework.
Us moms just seem to fit it all in somehow. We have our priorities!
You are right; it's all about priorities. I think that too many of us (women especially, but some men too) think that putting ourselves and our health first means that everything else comes second. It doesn't of course, we are much better moms, dads, persons, when we are healthy and happy.
Still, it is a balancing act...one that you are accomplishing and quite well at that!
You are awesome Mel. I don't think I've told you that lately!
Great attitude, nothing I would not expect!
If you wanna do it, you do it, right!
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