My “Why” 

I’ve never been interested in dropping my kids in the play room at the gym, so I started getting up at 4:30 am to get work outs in. For one, I like to exercise when group classes are offered. So that limits my time. It’s what I enjoy doing most. Even if they are hard, I really do have fun. Also, I prefer to get workouts done when the kids are asleep, or when Matios is at work. I don’t enjoy compromising family time for gym time if I don’t have to. I want to soak up all the time we have all together when we get it. So I always want to work around this as best as possible.

So, when the stars don’t perfectly align and I can’t get to the gym before the sun rises, I have been getting frustrated. I started feeling like I couldn’t go to the gym at all if I missed the morning classes. I do home work outs, but it’s not the same for me. I don’t consistently feel like I can get as solid of a work out in at home compared to the classes. As an added challenege, it’s hard to maintain motivation and really give it my all when 1 kid is climbing on my back, one is tugging on my shirt and one is chanting “mommy” 1,000 times like I’m Lois and he’s Stewie from family guy…

I recently realized that wasn’t wise and I was doing myself a disservice. I was only adding unnecessary strain on this process when the solution was there–just drop them off in the kids room for a bit. With Matios’ support, I convinced myself to give it a try. It’s just for one hour and I’m right there if they need me. However, I struggle with allowing people I don’t know to watch our kids. It makes me nervous, but they are growing up and will be starting school soon. So, it’s bound to happen and it’s good for them to learn to be around different people. Now, I’m not going to go hire a babysitter I don’t really know that well to come to my house, but the brief gym drop off is working for me right now!

So far, they’ve enjoyed it and they’re looking forward to going to the gym to play with the other kids and toys. Plus, they are feeling included in my routine. Which is also going to help them learn the gym and exercise is not only good for you, but can be fun! It’s normalizing a healthy lifestyle and I love that!

Today, I had a conversation with one of my favorite instructors, Olivia, and she finally got to meet my kiddos. She gestured towards them and said, “so, this is your why”, and it opened my eyes to all of this. That’s exactly it. My family, my babies are why I get up and moving in order to make the effort in keeping my body healthy. Having my “why” there with me during my classes motivates me even more. Despite their tantrums, fights, broken things and food on the floor everyday, they light the fire inside me and push me to be stronger.

If you’re struggling to stay motivated in anything, find your reason, your why, and focus on that. It will power you through the tough moments.