You can’t change yourself until you’re good and disgusted
There’s been a lot of thinking going on chez SoloMother this weekend. I’ve let my own needs take third place to son and work, and there has to be a better balance. Beginning Tuesday, I take charge of myself. I think I’m good and disgusted. Time to change.
It’s so hard to find time for yourself when you’re a single mother. There’s no one to hand off to, no one pinch hitting for you. I watched a couple with a baby today. They were at the local coffee shop and dad sat with the squirmy little girl, entertaining her, bouncing her, letting her play with ice, anything it took to give the mother ten minutes to finish her newspaper article.
We just don’t get that kind of support. There’s no spouse. It’s no wonder I’m tired, overwhelmed, and out of shape. (hey, wait a minute, I was like this when I was married, too… of course, it was like pulling teeth to get the ex to take the kid on a weekend morning…)
In preparation, I have located and organized my exercise clothes, and set an outfit aside to bring to the office. When I drop the kid off at camp on Tuesday, I’ll go to the gym and sign up for their special–$200, 12 weeks, personal trainer twice a week to get into the exercise mindset. Tuesdays and Thursdays, I will be at the gym… and any other hour of the week I can find.
I have also re-read the South Beach Diet, and am excited about it. I had great success with Atkins as long as I was doing induction, but once I began to add carbs back into my diet, I slid all the way back to eating whatever I wanted… as well as still maintaining the Atkins mindset: butter is good! Blue cheese, bring it on! Steak! Hamburger! No problem! Which meant that eventually I was eating anything I wanted. Not good.
I’m not buying new clothes. I’m getting rid of the new weight before it moves in for good. I want muscles under my curves. I want to walk into a store and know what size I should select. I don’t want to have to explain that I’m out of shape any more.
I’m not going to worry about the weight as much as the inches. I’ve got ambitions… not going for my high school numbers, but I’m going to shave eight inches off my hips and waist. I’d like to lose five inches from my thighs. When I went for my physical assessment a month ago, the trainer said I could be in great shape in six months. Let’s see what I can do by February 1, 2008.
Who’s with me?
Tags: exercise, fitness, single-mom, single-mommy, single-motherRelated Stories
POSTED IN: fitness
8 opinions for You can’t change yourself until you’re good and disgusted
Betsy
Jul 29, 2007 at 3:28 pm
You’ve just given me the inspiration I needed to start doing *something* this week - I have no excuse not to do it; my kids are away for 10 days camping with their dad!
Now, to find the sneakers and get out in the early am and start walking…
Christina
Jul 30, 2007 at 9:28 am
Betsy, that’s fabulous. Get up and GO! And then come on over here and complain, brag, and let me cheer you on.
angel
Jul 30, 2007 at 5:09 pm
woohoo!
wtg christina!
you are so right about not having time to ourselves, and doing anything out of routine or for ourselves involves weeks of planning and budgeting!
although, i must be honest, as damien gets older it gets easier for me to do things for me…
Sarah Hile
Aug 5, 2007 at 6:34 pm
You go girl! Even at almost 56 years old I’m still fighting the battle of the bulge and for the most part I’m winning. Just some tips that I thought might help you in your battle. . .
#1 Cease and desist with any conversation that starts with the word “should I” and switch to “just do it!”
#2 Best diets that help for knowing what to eat must also include changing your kitchen as well as replacing (notice that word) your bad food habits for ones that are just as good tasting i.e. Weight Watchers and Volumizing are ones I can easily live with - online WW is great and the Volumizing books are wonderful!
#3 Get a George Foreman Grill (at the thrift store even) they can turn a flash frozen chicken breast into the most juicy little number (as well as pork & fish) you’ve ever seen and all you have to do is plug it in and close the lid and open it again! P.S. Lots of Mrs. Dash helps too!
Well, I hope that helps, there’s lots more where that came from - now I have to get back to my 3 pm popcorn session. . . Love you Christina!
America
Aug 7, 2007 at 4:34 pm
My favorite neww exercise is hula hooping. I got myself an adult sized hoop (as well as a child sized one for my little man) and I do it whenever I get a spare minute - I carry it to the park when I take my son and use it while he’s off with the other kids. I’ve lost 20 pounds since I added it to my routine (I already work out but I had been stuck at the same weight for months, so it really helped kick start my activity…)
christina
Aug 8, 2007 at 6:52 am
Hello, Aunt Sarah, oh she of the proud new grandmother! So glad to see you here. I’m thinking the eliptical machine is going to be my new love to hate it friend. Will let you know how I do.
christina
Aug 8, 2007 at 6:53 am
America! That’s the best idea, you should share it with my Aunt Sarah, she’d love to do something like that.
Hoola Hoops!
Ginger
Aug 20, 2007 at 1:55 am
I need time and a personal trainer/motivator. I’m so busy and stressed out just trying to live and raise my sons well to have time for me…
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