Making the Time

"I'm too tired tonight."

"I just have too much to do."

"Since I ate a donut already today, it doesn't matter, so I will do better and workout tomorrow."

If you are like me, you have said these phrases, either out loud or to yourself at least once or a dozen or a hundred times, maybe even in the last week.

I am a mom. I have three gorgeous boys who rule my world. 2 of them have learning challenges. My 'free time', if that's what you want to call it, is dedicated to helping those boys overcome their struggles. Some nights are easier than others, but there are nights that can be very stressful.

I work outside the home. My commute is an hour in one direction. Because of where we live in relation to where we work, it is easier for me to work my schedule around our children's school and activity schedules. I make sure that the boys are fed, dressed, and clean- homework done, shoes tied, and to school on time every day. Then, I drive an hour to work. When work is done, I commute home in rush hour traffic, cook dinner, and begin the homework, eat dinner, read, bedtime routine.

I run 85% of the daily household activities. Even when the kids are in bed, there is always laundry to finish. I am building men of the future, and so I know that there are chores that I am teaching them to do.

Once the boys are in bed and it is 8:15, if I don't do laundry, I have a husband who I try not to neglect too often. I try to cultivate our marriage because I want to make sure our family is strong and centered. My husband thinks I am beautiful, even at my heaviest. He tells me I am beautiful and sexy, especially on the days when I feel hideous. For this, I am lucky, and blessed to know that I have a partner on my side who does not demand me to lose weight.

But, I know that I not only want to lose weight, I need to. If I am building men of the future, and cultivating a long lasting marriage, then I need to build a mom and a wife who will be on this planet for many years. I see people around me with bad knees and bad backs, and aches and pains that I don't want to define me when I am aging. I want to look at my sons when they are grown. I want to hold my future grandchildren and be around for all of the fantastic events that they will have.

To do this, to be around for another 50 years, I need to make the time every day, or at least almost every day, to move. I need to take that time to go for a lunchtime walk, to go to the Y for a swim, to do a Pinterest 30 day ab challenge.

This mom needs to make herself a priority. Does it mean that I stop helping my boys with their homework? Of course not. That is still a necessity. But it may mean that the nightly laundry can hold off a day or two.

Making me a priority will be a crucial key in my success.

Tiffany G

10/17/2014 9:29AM

Your blog sounds like my life. We are a great wife, mom, employee, and friend,but you have put your health on hold. We have to change our view of taking time for ourselves. Just like the airplane oxygen...put the mask on yourself and then help others. We must keep ourselves healthy so that we can continue to help everyone around us. Hugs!

Jill D. likes this comment.

Lindsay Y

10/08/2014 9:47PM

Wow, you are definitely Supermom! It's amazing what you accomplish on the daily, and what you do to keep your children and your marriage nourished. Here's to hoping that you are able to find a way to balance it out by nourishing yourself as well. What I just read tells me that you are the type of woman that gets sh** done, so I believe you can do it. Best of luck!

Jill D.

Thanks, Lindsay! I do try to be supermom, but there are many stressful days. Those stressful days have pushed my motivation to the side. No more!! 4 years ago, I did lose 40 pounds, but I gained it back when I didn't make this time. I appreciate your comments, and it will help fuel me towards my goal! I look forward to my success, and watching all partaking in a diet bet to succeed as well!!!!

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