I took a break from the gym for a while, while I healed injuries from overtraining. I also found myself in a season of life where my job hours were long, and by going to the gym, I would be losing time with my small human. So I chose time with my small human and rested.
Along the time I was falling out of the habit of going to the gym, I started a new relationship with my long time love. And then had another tiny human. So began my journey back to the gym.
I don’t know about you, but I feel better when I work out and move my body. It increases my productivity. Especially as a stay at home mom, its easier to just chase the small ones around, and take naps.
So going back to the gym, aka my happy place, I had work to do. My kids are amazingly attached to me, (I am their comfort item.. no blanket, pacifier, or stuffed animal… me) so when it comes to going to the gym and leaving them in the daycare for an hour is hard. And almost as hard for me as it is for them.
Here are my tips and tricks that have worked!
1. Figure out their schedule.. If they’re tired/hungry its not going to go well.
2. Find a class or buddy that you can go to/with that falls farther away from nap/food times.
3. Hand them over to the daycare friends, and leave. There is no need to draw out the process. The longer you stay and try to comfort the worse it will be. if they have a favorite toy, now is time to pull it out. Distraction is key!
4. Enjoy your workout. Even if its 20 minutes, that’s still a good workout!
5. Give yourself grace. Consistency comes. But sometimes kids get sick, teething happens, life happens. The gym will still be there, just keep striving to go back time and time again, over time your kiddo will become more accustomed to going, they will get better if they’re sick, and you can go back!
It’s a journey. Not a sprint. It takes time and determination to create a new routine.
You got this momma!
#StrongerEveryday 