Finding me time...in the form of exercise?!

I know most of you have heard me talk about living my YOLO year. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we forget that we only have this one life to live. As a mom, I felt like I had started to lose myself and as much as I love being Kyle’s wife and Randie and Aiden’s mommy, I still needed time to find me.

 

And as most of you know, I use to LOVE sports. I use to be so athletic. And now I would rather curl up on the couch with some sunflower seeds and a good show and just drown the world out. But I needed to get my butt in gear!!

The beginning of the year I was talking about trying to find a workout class with some friends. We all had a similar interest to make sometime to work on us and we found that our local college has some great classes that are offered and all we have to pay is a one time fee of $20.

On top of finding a good way to work out, I needed to get back into shape as I had promised a good friend that I would run a 5K with her in September. Now September may seem like a long ways away, but I knew it would sneak up on me!!

My one friend suggested we try Zumba and I thought why not. Now I had done Zumba before, in my basement where there are absolutely no windows and Kyle and the kids weren’t allowed down there because no one wants to see my coordinated skills.

So Monday night rolled around and off we went. I kept saying I pray we aren’t in a room where there are mirrors because I do not want to have to watch myself and sure enough, room with mirrors. The instructor came in and was so excited to see us. She told us to give it a chance and come back…don’t judge it off the first time.

And let me tell you what…that was the longest hour of my LIFE!! I swear I looked up after what had seemed like 15 songs and we were 12 minutes in. We made it the entire hour and all but crawled to our cars.

And we did what she asked us to do, we showed back up again on Wednesday. We have been doing Zumba for a few months now and it’s getting easier and easier (although you wouldn’t think that when I leave huffing and puffing).

 All while doing Zumba, I have been dragging my feet about the actual running part of my workout. Yes I get a great workout in but I still needed to find time to actually run a mile and see if I could even make it (I mean, I do need to run a little over 3 miles in a few months so better late than never LOL).

Last night after dinner, Kyle loaded up the kids and we headed to the track. I had my phone on my arm and headphones on. I was ready! I was so nervous….I mean it didn’t look that far but let me tell you what, I hit that first turn and I thought I was going to die.

I made it around lap one and the kids were sitting their yelling go mama go. I did a little wave mostly because that’s all I could muster to do. I got into my second lap and the burning of the lungs started. As I rounded the corner I thought I would slow down to a power walk. I picked back up speed and as a rounded the corner coming across the finish line and I about threw in the towel. You know that lovely copper taste you get when you have over worked your body…yep had that. My legs felt like they could give out at any second and my throat stung with every breath.

Rounded the field for lap 3 and I thought at this point I can’t stop. I kept pushing myself even though I didn’t know if I wanted to throw up or cry by this point. I kept taking small breaks and power walking and as I rounded the last corner Kyle and the kids ran to the finish line. I could see them yelling and cheering and all I could think of was please don’t collapse.

I pushed with all I had to get across the finish line and immediately laid down on the grass. The kids of course tackled me and begged me to go run with them. Kyle came over and asked how I thought I did. I said please tell me it was under 15 minutes. He smiled and said guess. I said 12 minutes; he said guess again. So I guessed 14 minutes. He held his phone up and I came in at 10 minutes 58 seconds!! HOLY MOLY!!

I didn’t even know my body was capable of that!! And the rush of pride was such an amazing feeling. I had finally convinced myself that I could do it and I never gave up. I got the job done. Do I have a long ways to go, yes. But I survived my mile and felt pretty darn proud of the results!!

The most important thing from all of this, is that I was starting to put myself first. I was finding time to do things for me and to better myself. It’s so important for me to find the energy so that we can go have fun this summer instead of me telling the kids mommy is too tired. It is true; the more active you are, the more energy you have even though you would think it is the complete opposite.

This was not just a victory because I was able to find time for me, or because I finished a mile; it was a victory because I never gave up. It’s so important to find time for you, especially when you are a mama. I hope you all find time for you!! And if you need some company, join me for Zumba or running!! Would love to have the company!