Since a recent blog post was about all of the things we’ve done to get this MFPU (that’s Health Department speak for Mobile Food Preparation Unit) rolling, I thought I would now turn the spotlight on some of the things I haven’t done much of lately.
As a stay-at-home mom, my days are generally focused on taking care of my family and taking care of myself. When I had my own consulting business, I would have periods of extreme activity, where I needed to work the entire my time my kid was in school. Housecleaning, dinner, and To Do list items fell by the wayside until I completed the project in question. I rarely missed a morning workout or run – I have my priorities after all. But this project doesn’t have an end; every day there are a million things to do. And so you know what I’m not doing much of? Yup, working out. (Or cleaning but I never did much of that in the first place).
I knew that once we were up and running full-time, it would be difficult for me to make a 9:30 a.m. bootcamp class. Oh sure, there’s a 6:30 class but I kinda have a conflict with that. Not to mention the fact that my spouse travels, which makes sneaking out of the house in the dawn’s early light while my kid is still zzzzzzing impossible. So, I bought a couple of kettlebells, thinking I’d do my own workouts. And I have worked out on my own. A few times. Well, really only a couple. And we’re not even open yet. Sigh.
When Suz and I wrote our company values, we included the following statement:
Build strong families by keeping work and life in balance.
These aren’t empty words. We really mean them. And for our families, this is paramount. So much so, that one of the few concerns my husband expressed in our “silent investors” meeting was not about the financial cost of capitalizing the business but about the cost to our family. And don’t even ask my kid how she feels about going to after care (even though she loves after care. I know. I don’t get it either.) So here I am, only a few months into it and 2/3 of my family is strong. And 1/3 is kind of sloth-like. Not really the balance I was going for.
Now this may not be a big deal to some of you but for me, this is no bueno. I am one of those exercise-obsessed people that works out 5 – 6 days/week. So to have worked out 5 – 6 times in the last two months? Holy waistline, Batman! I’m amazed that I still fit into my clothes. At some point though, if I continue to miss workouts, I won’t need a new wardrobe, just an extra large orange jumpsuit when they lock me up after a particularly ugly bout of road rage. That is if I can avoid turning the rage inward. After all, much of my self-esteem is tied to my appearance. Oh, you didn’t know that about me? Shallow as the kiddie pool in the Lilliput town center.
So, here’s what I need from you. What? You thought this was a one-sided relationship? You’re so silly! No, you’re on the hook because you’re reading this and I have this special software that lets me know who’s lurking and then flood their e-mail inboxes with requests from Nigerian businessmen. If you want to avoid that fate, then I need your help. How can I get this exercise thing back in balance? I need one hour each day, which I don’t think is an unreasonable amount of time. Right now, our household schedule does not encourage early rising. I’m open to going to bed before midnight, I’m just not sure how to make that happen and still have time to make lunches, interact with my spouse and just generally unwind. Am I destined for a life of hitting the snooze button at 6:00 a.m.? How do you do it?
Is this how you do it? 'Cuz I'm pretty sure I could get one of these from Sky Mall.
Shari,
You are such a talented writer and communicator.
The balance will come. The beginning of any endeavor is more time consuming at the beginning. I have faith that you will find your balance.
you just have to do it! make exercise appointments for yourself- they are just as important as the ones you have to take your kid to the doctor, check out trucks, etc. yes, you will be “interrupting” time you could be spending working… but as you said there is ALWAYS work to do & you need & DESRVE an hour a day to take care of your self!!!
Honey-we are soooo not busy yet-we have a lot of time on our hands still! Wait till we are really up and running……..! Get a morning workout going 1-2 days a week and you will be very happy! You will be able to work the rest out but you need a little morning boost
OMG love the cat with road rage 
shari,
I LOVE what you are doing! crazy smart. and sounds like you two could be having alot of fun along the way. can’t wait to find your truck spot next time i’m down there.
and the irony of your biz name is not lost on me; mine is called Mamamorphosis:Think Outside the LunchBox. is there a partnership in our future?!?!?
as to balance, i see it as a circus performer on a unicycle. you gotta keep it in motion, gotta keep all the thingies in balance — and the way you do it is by course correcting, reacting to what comes up, moving smoothly when you can. there’s no algorithm for it, and even when you get it figured out you can be sure it’s not going to stay that way for long. your job is to be present and to pay attention to each of the thingamajigs you’re holding and twirling!
continued good luck to you.
love,
amy
No one has a magic pill for me? sigh…
Amy, if things have devolved this quickly, I may need your services once we’re actually busy (thanks Suz for pointing that out!). Will keep you all posted, of course.
xoxo
I’m just catching up on all the posts I missed. I love them and they make me laugh.
As far as the exercise goes I’m sure that once you get into a rythm you will find a way to fit in what is necessary for you. I do not believe that one loses what they’ve worked for if the # of workouts are cut back. 5-6 days a week is impressive but I’m not sure if you miss some that your body will go back to where ever you do not want it to go. in you that you will figure this all out but give yourself a break for now and stop making yourself crazy. That’s my department–not making you crazy–I’m the one who has shares in that field. You and Suzanne are going to be successes! Count on it. xo
Hi, Sweets,
Loved the email and the funny tags. You are doing terrific stuff. So now about exercise — do not give up on yourself. Finally, I am back doing my stuff and you will too. Oh, try lifting Etta a few times and that should count for something, consider all the walking you do day in and day out as there is “exercise” all around you! Just don’t kick yourself for not exercising on those days and get back the next day. Drink lots of water —. Love you.