Distractions & intrusions!!!

M

mariep

Cathlete
These are definitely the biggest challenges we home exercisers face, aren't they? Last night was unbelievable. I had just pressed start on my PUB video, and when I went to put my glass of water down, it slid right out of my hand and smashed all over the coffee table and floor! So I had to pause the video (at least I hadn't gotten started yet) to pick up all the glass, mop up the full glass of water that was now everywhere, dry off all the magazines, etc., that were now soaked, then vacuum the rug really well to make sure there weren't any little shards that my DH or I would find later in our bare feet! Ok, that took about 15 minutes, but I was determined to do this workout, even though it was even later now. Then my mother-in-law pops in (we live in a 2-family with my in-laws on the 1st floor--not as bad as it sounds! :p). Luckily, she's very understanding of my workouts and didn't expect me to chat for long and I was able to get right back to it. Then, to top it off, a moth flew in when my DH came home, and it proceeded to fly around the living room, bumping into me and completely freaking me out! Then my cat got it in her sights and started chasing it around, which normally wouldn't be a big deal, but she's 19 years old :eek: , and my DH and I found this so amusing to watch that of course I had to pause the tape again to watch my geriatric baby try to find this thing--too funny :7 !

Anyway, I did FINALLY finish, about an hour and a half after I started, although I did skip the core work, which really bummed me out since I know how important that is, but enough was enough--especially after that blasted bicep work!

I think we all deserve a good pat on the back for keeping up with our workouts, even when it seems that everything around us is conspiring against us!:7

Here's to us!:)
-Marie
 
Marie
I loved your story here How I can relate not so much anymore but in my earlier days of working out it seems many intrusions Now I start and nothing short of a fire would get me to stop I always use plastic glasses for water i too have spilled many usually allover the table and couch I must put the table on the couch to workout with enough room to travel so the couch sometimes gets cleaned too! I did PUB yestedray i can't imagine being interrupted especially the bicep takes alot of concentration to get through I may do the first once just to see if easier Well nayways good for you you got the job done
Lisa
 
Plastic cups for me from now on--great idea! I'm too spastic to use a glass--I should have known better :7 !
 
I can totally relate.

I liked the cat part of your story. One time I was doing planks from circuit max and I was on my elbows and toes and my cat (Tigger) crawled up into my T-shirt and laid down and was purring away. I started laughing and almost squished the poor guy..

:)

Beverly
 
Hi Marie,

I totally relate - seemed that everytime I would begin a workout the kids would call me or the phone would ring and worse yet - my ex hubby would ask for the dumbest things - whew!! Luckily all my children are grown and the hubby is no more - so when I'm working out and my DB comes in - he knows better - enough said - LOL!!

Take care,

Iris
 
Beverly, that's so funny! My cat must have been experiencing some weird energy spurt last night. Before the moth came in, she tried to climb up on me while I was doing the chest work on the bench! I was cracking up, which is not a good thing when you're trying to do chest flyes while trying not to crush your cat's head! She's so old, she usually sleeps almost all the time, so when she gets these little bursts of energy, it really is the cutest thing!:D

-Marie
 
Ah yes I know them well. distractions & intrusions

I can not fully concentrate when everyone is home; luckily I can workout when they are all gone to work or school and then it's just me , my 2 cats, dog and Cathe.

Reason why I no longer workout in the pm but do it now after I drop the kids off at school or before the house 'wakes' up
 
I got one for you.... just today I was doing Circuit Max and even though I was expecting a delivery I wasn't expecting it so early. Our refridgerator died so a new one was being delivered today. I was expecting it late in the afternoon, oh no it shows up during the next to last weight segment and I have to pause the tv, go remove a door, and the door stop, keep my boys out of the delivery guys hair, find that it won't fit. UGH!!}( So we try the front door which means the dining room table has to move, my step has to move, a laddar and all the coolers we are using as a fridge have to move also. The dog is in the middle of everything and won't lay down:eek: , so we have to contend with her too. They did finally make it in and got the old one out and the new one in. I resumed my workout (not that it made much difference at that point or not) and finished after lunch. So I had my protein shake for lunch instead of breakfast:+ :( . But at least I got my workout and then some in today!!:7

You story was great especially the cat deal. I use a plastic 32 oz. bottle for my water. They are nice and if they fall they usually land on the top and close themselves up so no spillage:D .
 
My cat must have been experiencing
>some weird energy spurt last night. Before the moth came in,
>she tried to climb up on me while I was doing the chest work
>on the bench! I was cracking up, which is not a good thing
>when you're trying to do chest flyes while trying not to crush
>your cat's head!

My cat Scooter does this ALL THE TIME! I'm right in the middle of a flye move (on the way up) and he plops down on my chest! He's such a baby--always has to be in a "cuddle" position in bed, and when I turn, he has to jump over me to get back into a cuddle!

Sometimes, this "cute" behavior is dangerous--like the jumping on my chest while I'm holding 15-25 # dummbbells, so I "hiss" him off--if he'll listen. I'd hate to have a db drop on his head!

Oh, yes, he also likes to wash my ears (like, REALLY clean!) when I'm on the floor for ab work. It's o.k. when I'm doing lower abs, but once I get the upper body moving, he's struggling to try to get to an ear! (o.k., like maybe this is more than you guys want to know!)
 
Marie, your story is really funny! I won't answer the phone when I workout. I won't answer the door when I workout. I don't even worry about the cat or the laundry or anything else - LOL! Unless the house is on fire or there's a tornado bearing straight down the road, everything else can just wait for an hour!! LOL!!

Carol
:)

P.S. On weekends when DH and DD are home, they know better than to bother me!! }( The "rule" is, if you're going to "bother" me during my "Cathe time", you have to workout with me!! That sends them both running!!
 
I know,distractions are the worst.I use to answer my phone when I would workout, not anymore.My mother-in-law knows that if I am home and I don't answer the phone, I am working out.My hubby gets very upset though if he calls and I don't answer.I don't see the point in answering the phone while I am working out.I will only lose my heart rate and then my workout is over.
I also hate surprise visitors.Not that I hate them, but do they have to show up at that exact hour? Are there no more hours in the day.
I remember one time when my friend stopped by, as rude as this may sound, I didn't stop working out.She should of called.
Unfortunately another lady I know (not that well)but I run with her a couple times a week.She stopped by on Sunday while I was working out.I don't know her well enough to say "talk to you later" so I had to pause S,J,&P and go to the door.I ended up talking to her for alot longer then I had planned and my workout was over.I was on the thrid circuit.
Thank God that we all have sense enough to say...gotta go.Instead of using it as a excuse not to workout.
Lori;-)
 
Boy, could I add to your story! ha! but that is exactly why I now workout at 5 am. Pets are asleep and there is no one to call you.

Susan C.M.
 
The Blood & Fire Rule

Marie, your story is just a hoot! I have been there SO many times over the years. But not anymore, kiddo. Several years back I implemented the now-famous Mom's Blood & Fire Rule. My DH and DS's #1 and #2 and all their friends know this rule, and they honor it, partly because they respect my workouts and partly because they fear the pain of extreme discomfort that will be handed out to any rulebreaker by me. ;-)

It's a really simple concept: When Mom is working out, you do NOT disturb her unless someone is bleeding or something is burning. :)

So far, nobody's found any "qualifying" reason to bother me!

http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
 
RE: The Blood & Fire Rule

My family is exceptionally supportive of my workouts. They screen my calls and don't do anything to try to make me stop... They'll even plan dinner around my workout schedule, usually... HOWEVER ... my dad, as well as my DB, don't seem to understand that following videos requires some degree of concentration (for me, it's a lot). They don't mean any harm... and they don't want me to stop, but they still want to try to carry on a conversation, do work in the room, or stand and watch me. I get very little quality time with my dad as it is, so I don't want to tell him to go away, but I can tell my DB to go away anytime }(.

Sara

http://www.picturetrail.com/rayiisara/sblordita
 
My husband is the main distraction in our household ("Oooh, that looks hard...look at the expression on her face....are you going to be much longer?"), so he is banned from the living room when I work out. I've gotten good at ignoring the doorbell, the phone and any other distractions. I'm very possessive of my workout time and don't want ANYTHING to throw off my focus!
 
RE: The Blood & Fire Rule

Too funny! I have the "blood, fire, and choking" rule while I am working out. Works like a charm. Baby naps in swing. 2 year old naps in crib. 4 and 7 year old dds play in their room. 9 year old ds completes homework in his room. Fat post-partum mommy gets her workout and keeps her sanity. If there is no blood, no fire and no one is choking, go back to where you came from until I am finished or experience the wrath of Ma!}(

Maggie:)
 
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