Healthy living: When a mother can work out

When I became a mom, I knew that my 12-hour-per-week training plan might not fit in, but I also knew that quitting was not an option. My workouts are my quiet time, my meditation, and I could not give that up completely.
The truth is, I need those interludes now more than ever. When I’m outside running through the trees, there are no e-mails to answer, phone calls to make, laundry to fold or diapers to change. It’s a time when I can simply be me, not a personal trainer or mother or wife, or any of the other hats I wear. I do not feel guilty, because I know that taking a break to focus on myself makes me better in all the other aspects of my life.
Six weeks after I gave birth to my first child, I dusted off my cycling gear and prepared to head out for a light ride. As I strapped on my shoes and topped off my tires, my husband stood there pleading, “You can’t leave me alone with her. I don’t know what I’m doing.” I mounted my bike and replied, “Neither do I, but I need a break!”
I had to have faith in him to allow myself some time away. I knew he might not do everything exactly as I would, but I realized that is a good thing. Giving him time alone with our baby girl not only built his confidence as a father, but it strengthened the bond between him and our daughter.
Seven years later and now a mother of two, I have employed multiple strategies to continue my training and stay fit.
Weekends are easy, because my husband can help watch the kids (remember, good bonding time) while I work out. I typically go in the morning so we can still enjoy the day together.
Exercising during the week is a little more challenging, but definitely still doable. Here are a few strategies that have worked for me:
I have put my daughter in the jog stroller with a bottle of extra-pulpy orange juice (the pulp clogs the hole, so it takes a good hour to drink it). It’s not the healthiest snack, but it’s a worthy compromise, wouldn’t you agree?
During naptime, I’ve ridden my bike in the garage on rollers with the baby monitor next to me.
I have even jumped into an outdoor pool for a master’s workout before the crack of dawn to be back home in time for my husband to leave for work. Sadistic? Maybe, but I always feel great afterward.
On days I go in to work, I make a point to block out an hour for my workout. I clearly mark my schedule as “not available” so nobody will book anything else during that time.
If you are a single mom, consider arranging a trade with a friend or two. If you have a group of three mothers, each one could watch the kids just one day and everyone would get two days off to work out.
You can also try an early-morning garage workout while the kids are still snoozing.
On weekends, you might experiment with running while your kids ride their bikes.
There are numerous creative ways to get in your workouts, but the most important thing is to schedule them in. If you don’t make it happen, nobody is going to do it for you.
Julia Blanton is a nutrition, fitness and wellness coach. An avid runner, she works at Club One in Scotts Valley and keeps a health blog at www.juliablanton.com.