Tuesday, October 29, 2013

post-baby exercise planning

Last night we made one of (if not THE) our last trips to our gym of the last four years.  Almost as soon as we knew about the adoption we knew we'd have to cancel our membership...so we went to cancel a few weeks ago and now it's done. Due to the cancellation rules, we ended up still having to pay for another month and we have access through the middle of November, but then it's done. No more gym.

It was an easy decision to make. First and foremost, our gym is quite small and doesn't have childcare. That pretty much made cancelling our membership a no-brainer. We're not toting a baby around the gym, and we're not going to try to arrange childcare for her (after she's been in childcare for the entire workday already) so that we can go work out. We could theoretically go to the gym separately, but we've never had much success doing that, so I don't really see that being something we'd do often enough to make it worth the money we pay them every month. So basically the logistics of gym-workouts (not to mention that our gym is 15 minutes away from home and NOT in the direction of Athens/work) made it a simple decision. Not to mention now we can pocket that money every month, which is a huge bonus when you're trying to figure out a new budget that includes OH CRAP FORMULA IS EXPENSIVE.

It also made it easier that for probably the last 7 months or so we've been weaning ourselves off the gym anyway. We started training for the triathlon in April and that immediately had us doing most of our working out at home (or close to home, at a pool) for our biking and running. We ended up just liking that better...running on a treadmill has a lot of perks (like air conditioning, easy access to a potty, televisions to distract you, the ability to change the elevation immediately if a hill is too hard...actually, everything about a treadmill is better than actually running outside, now that I think about it. Dangit. What have I done.), but running around our neighborhood and nearby streets is just as effective and also saves us from a half hour of driving to/from the gym. Biking outside is WAY better than biking on a stationary bike. And we also have a small assortment of weights, ropes, punching bags, and other various at-home workout 'equipment' that let us get a more well-rounded workout experience if we wanted. So we really got in the habit of almost never going to the gym, unless it was raining or extraordinarily hot (which, don't get me wrong-- it frequently is...), and found out that sometimes we worked out even better/more often if we stuck to doing it at home. Like if we had only 30 or 40 minutes to squeeze in a workout-- that's not even long enough to drive to/from the gym. But it's plenty long enough to throw on your shorts and running shoes and knock out a couple miles on the streets around your house. 

Then in September or so I discovered that running in the morning, while tough (mostly the part where you have to crawl out of bed an hour earlier), is actually really do-able for us. And so we've started doing that a few times a week. I'm not sure how sustainable that's going to be through the winter-- my asthma issues are cold-weather and exercised-induced, so while I'm used to dealing with the issues that aerobic exercise always bring on, throwing in the extra variable of FREAKING COLD may be more than I'm comfortable pressing through...but, maybe I'll figure something out. And it's really only freezing cold for a short time here. 

So anyway, what we've been thinking through and talking about is this: what are we going to do for exercise once Ellison is here? Although we're no stellar athletes by any stretch of the imagination, we have managed to make exercise a regular feature of our lives for the last four years, and I don't want to consider what would happen (to my mental health AND my thighs) if we stopped. I know we're going to be exhausted from the baby. I'm not under any illusions that I'll have some magical situation where I wake up fully rested every morning, itching to go on a run. But I also know that I want to keep exercising regularly. It makes me a happier person. It's healthy. It gives me energy. And I can't afford to get fat and replace all my clothes. Lots of reasons to take a half-hour of my time and do something with it. 

In a way, Matt and I feel like God was sort of preparing us for this next season of exercising over the last few months. We used to be really gym-dependent for our workouts. I pretty much only took group classes. He pretty much used fancy machines. We can't easily replicate those experiences at home. But now we're used to the at-home thing. And so now we just have to figure out when/where/how we can keep it up with the baby in tow. I don't know if any of these ideas will actually work out, but I feel better knowing that at least we've thought about it and have some things to try when the time comes.

Our 'Things that Might Work' for Exercising After the Baby:

-Running with the stroller. Duh. If Ellison likes the stroller and/or sleeps, then we could do this pretty much any time, right? Early morning runs could still work (if we can keep her warm enough) or in the evenings after work. This seems like a no-brainer.

-Running one at a time. One of us stays home with Ellison, the other runs. Swap. This would work at any time of the day...if she's already sleeping or needs to eat or whatever...this seems pretty logical.

-Biking with Ellison in a bike seat or trailer. This will have to wait until she's quite a bit bigger and also will require purchasing equipment, but this could be a good option in the future. Except I think I might be too scared to put her in one of those trailers. So we'll see.

-Videos at home. We have a decent spread of workout DVDs already and could add in some more (or something really fancy like Insanity or P90X). We could do these together or separately, when Ellison is asleep or awake (if she has a swing or something), rain or shine...seems like this would be a super flexible way to get in a workout.

-Gym at my work. There is a really really teeny workout room at my work (maybe 3 cardio machines, a weight bench, some free weights, jumpropes...REALLY SMALL) and an indoor track. There are also showers and locker rooms. So we COULD use that stuff (for free) whenever we wanted, but that would mean either going to work earlier (having Ellison in childcare longer) or staying later (ditto), so I'm not really sure. I guess if we wanted to do it after work we could also go GET Ellison and bring her back to my work and then take turns watching her/working out, but that seems kind of like a lot of work. And I just think we're going to want to spend time with her and not the kind of time where you're passing her back and forth between sets. But who knows.

-Later, if time and budget allow, join a gym in Athens that has childcare. Then we can stop and work out on the way home from work, so it won't be any extra driving- just the time of ACTUALLY exercising.

So those are some of the things we've thought about trying. I wanted to write them down so that in a month or two, when it's been 6 weeks since I last saw my running shoes and I'm wondering how on earth I ever thought I could work out with a newborn around, maybe I'll look back and see these genius ideas and give one of them a try. Or maybe not. But it can't hurt.

One other thing I'm doing is reading blogs of moms that make exercise a priority. Some of them are doing insane things like running ultras, some of them are just regular working moms who still manage to make exercise a part of their lifestyle. Either way, they all inspire me to not just settle for a sedentary lifestyle and they demonstrate that it can be done. I need that inspiration...even now, while I don't have a kid, I sometimes convince myself that I'm 'too busy' to exercise. And then I remember all these women with multiple kids, jobs, pets, commitments, and if THEY can still make exercise a priority, then I need to shut up and take my flabby buns on a jog. 

That said-- I did not go running this morning because I worked out too hard at the gym last night and I'm too sore to run today. Ha. I am the best excuse maker EVER!!

19 comments:

  1. I think you made yourself a good list of possibilities! Maybe Ellison will learn to walk at 6 months and be running by 12 months?! Family run for the win :P

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  2. You can make it happen! We also got rid of our gym membership when Janie was born. As working parents, you can't really justify taking them out of one daycare and putting them in another. Tim and I don't really workout together anymore but I have neighborhood friends that I walk with in the evenings. Maybe you and a coworker could walk the indoor track over lunch. That way you won't be all sweaty and need a shower but you are doing something active while not losing time with Ellison.

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  3. I've been fortunate enough to make exercise a part of my life again and I've been going in the mornings and when I am able (and mom or Matt) can watch Reagan I go to the hour total body class. I try not to think about it as time not spent with Reagan but time for me so I can be a better mom. You'll get into a groove, no worries!

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  4. I need to remember how to fit exercise into my daily life more. But when Rachel was little I depended A LOT on workout videos. You are also inspiring me to recommit to my gym membership because I need to work on that relationship :)

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  5. I will be eagerly awaiting an update on this topic because I have completely failed to make exercise a priority in the past 7 months, other than taking the babies on walks! I'll be rooting for you to be successful so I can feel inspired and/or guilt tripped into getting back into a workout routine :)

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  6. Sounds like a great list of options to consider! The great thing is that you can stay flexible, perhaps choosing one thing each day depending on Ellison's mood that day. Ready for a nap? Ride in the stroller. Needing to move or bounce around? DVD at home. Needing to be held? Take turns running.

    I will say, however, that I had big plans to keep exercising once Little K was born and that SO did not happen. She was a hard baby and I had PPD. We stayed home a lot and just tried to make it through each day. Remember to set reasonable expectations, especially those first few months and to be kind to yourself!

    I expect that the Ergo and a long walk may be just the thing for a while. :-)

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  7. I have no helpful feedback, but I am confident you will figure out something that works for you all if it's a priority!

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  8. this is great! you should be proud of yourself for thinking ahead and giving yourself a list of options! it sets a great example for your daughter!

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  9. Thank you for reminding me that I need to get my getting-larger-by-the-day lower half back on the treadmill! Sounds like you have a super plan, can't wait to see how it all works out :)

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  10. Oh, I love this! We have had the same thoughts/discussions at our house. I haven't been to the gym in ages. I like to spend as little time working out as possible - and the driving back and forth was easy to cut out. I would much prefer to just walk outside and go for a quick run. We also have P90x - I would highly recommend for an at home workout that's quick and super effective. We are also planning in cashing in some workout points for a jogging stroller - so hopefully we can still run together on Saturday's...hoping the baby likes riding in the stroller - but weekdays we will probably have to run separately. All that to say...you are not alone in figuring out the options! It will be an adjustment for sure!

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  11. Love those morning workouts!! We talk all the time about how much babies will change our workouts ;) Glad you are being proactive and creative with ideas and you will have to keep us updated as she is here with what works best for you two!!

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  12. Your last line made me laugh. I am famous for those kinds of excuses. It sounds like you have a good plan to keep exercise a part of your routine.

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  13. Check out fitbottomedmamas.com if you haven't already. I love those ladies! Good workout video reviews.
    It proves that we are old that we still say workout "videos" instead of "dvd" or some streaming nonsense - Netflix does have fitness videos (I can't stop myself). I also refer to "books on tape" constantly then listen to them on my iphone.

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  14. Are you encouraged by all the workout-with-kids tips I give on my blog?? HAHA! Anyways, so I'm not like in shape as in I could go run a marathon tomorrow (although I just realized that was in my dream and i was going to have to run a last minute marathon and I was stressed about it...weird dream) but the great thing about kids is that they are active, meaning you are active just by keeping up with them. Taking them hiking, playing at the playground, soccer and football in the backyard, carrying them everywhere...I mean, obviously you have a few months before Ellison is playing soccer with you, but I don't think you'll have to worry about being sedentary, because I imagine you'll be pretty involved with her and doing the things she likes and that means being pretty busy. :) Plus, if she's a non-sleeping baby like mine are, you'll be doing a lot of pacing and possibly lunges, and it turns out that's not a bad workout when you're doing it while holding a baby.

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  15. Making exercise a priority is HARD with a baby BUT can be done.
    I do early morning workouts at 5:30 when the girls are sleeping, this also means that my wonderful husband brings the girls to the babysitter on those mornings.

    I am not sure if they offer these in you area but I LOVE stroller strides. I have been going classes twice a week now that I am maternity leave and will hopefully continue going to the Saturday class when I return to work. It is a GREAT workout and my girls love seeing all the the other kiddos.

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  16. Being that I have thought about exercising, oh NEVER! I am of no help here, except to tell you how impressed I am that you are already figuring out how to work in your work outs with baby Ellison. In my world, simply thinking about exercising counts for calorie burning and muscle toning... which is probably why my clothes don't fit :)

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  17. So I'm not sure if you've found Tamara over at The Workout Mama, but if you haven't she has great tips for home workouts :)

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  18. So. . . you know I am no workout expert or anything. . . like at all (I don't think I have been on a run since grad school??). . . but the one thing that works for us is early morning walks in the stroller. I find that if I do not go first thing in the morning (like after Clara eats breakfast, or when she was little after she had her first bottle) then I would make 500 excuses about why I/we were too busy to go). I also found that a workout/power walk first thing in the AM helped my mood and energy level when I was beyond exhausted from all night newborn craziness. Anyways, you will find a groove that works for you and Matt. Keep us updated on this subject because I could still use A LOT of improvement in this area and also some extra inspiration!!! :)

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  19. I would totally use the baby as a means to NOT exercise :)

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