I am forever amazed at how big my belly became and how pathetic my abdominal muscles became after having children. It wasn't so hard to get back in shape after the first; he was a vaginal delivery and I was twenty years young. Mother Nature is generally kind to first-time moms that way, especially when Father Time hasn't wreaked his havoc upon us yet.
By the second time around I had acquired another 10 pound baby and a whole new colony of cellulite in my thighs. By the time he turned two it began to dawn on me that weight was not magically going to melt off my body by walking to the park every day, and that I might have to *gasp* start an exercise routine.
One problem: Ottawa/Gatineau is not terribly kind to the year-round exerciser. So while I faired well with my 4KM jog eight months out of the year, I quickly lost my motivation by mid-November as the snow began to fall.
What to do? I did what any logical person would do and spent a small fortune on a treadmill. Then I could run to my heart's content in the comfort of my own home while watching Oprah discuss the latest bra craze. Excellent.
One more problem: Treadmills are very impractical for new moms. When babies are newborns we're exhausted and possibly still recovering from surgery (as I did, twice). Running quickly takes a backseat to sleeping, even if a glance at my backside makes me want to cry. When babies get older, they crawl. Older still, they toddle. Older still, they become fascinated with moving objects they aren't allowed to touch. This poses serious hazards to working out on a treadmill when a child is awake until said child is at least three or four. No amount of calories burned while rushing to the emergency room make the idea any more appetizing.
The logical solution is to put the child down for a nap or to bed for the night before working out. But wait, I'm a plus size girl with a love of all things chocolate. I can come up with reasons not to do that, too! There are four ways to use a treadmill: reading (too jumpy), watching TV (you'd have to turn it up fairly loud to compensate for the noise coming from the treadmill making it hard to listen for baby waking up), listening to music on your MP3 player (now you can't hear baby at all) or, doing nothing but running.
Has anyone ever run on a treadmill with no distractions? Did you have fun? If so, do you have a very vivid imagination involving Johnny Depp and scented candles? You must possess such imaginative skills or you will get bored very, very quickly.
In short, treadmills are for people with no children or older children, which is why mine sits up against a wall in my living room until I can figure out a way to use it and enjoy it.
I now am a mother to three and I do Pilates. They hurt, but if Jackson takes a weighted ball and throws it at my head at least it doesn't warrant a trip to the emergency room. And besides, it's Ottawa weather friendly!
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3 comments:
It's just so much easier to not exercise. :)
I'm having luck with the TM but Chicka is very independent and doesn't mind playing on her own for the time that I'm on it. Admittedly, it would be much more difficult with more than 1.
Must try pilates sometime.
lol. the treadmill.
i remember a time when you used it regularly.
its ok.. chocolate is good for you.. its a bean after all :P
LOL< yeah, treadmills are great *IF* you use them. What got me using them at the gym was my MP3 player, and loading it with thumpy, loud rock songs that inspire you to dance/move/run. Then you're singing along. Also, covering the display with a towel so you can't peek how much longer :P Just try to zone out, and let yourself run. But yeah, it's bloody hard I know. Yes, chocolate is good for you, but so are exercise hormones LOL! They make you feel awesome too, and you know you've done yourself good.
Another thing that's worked *blush* is to imagine a seduction scene where you're doing it to the hubby. *blush* yes, that's why I'd have that far-away grin on my face at the gym. But SHHHHH, no telling k? ;)
Good luck.
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