Feeling Guilty ... Need Your Thoughts

[jennifersmom]

Hi Ladies,
I work full time like many Mom's. Prior to becoming pregnant I would
get up one hour early to work out. I had no problem unless my
daughter was up at night. My husband prefers I work out at lunch
if not in the am. He told me he felt that was "family time."
I tried the am workouts but I am now 3 months pregnant and sometimes
too tired to get up that early. I feel so guilty working out in the
evening. I pick Jennifer up from school after work, feed her,
bathe her and then try to exercise. She is now walking so she
will at times stay with me/watching me or there are times she
will watch The Wiggles while in her exersaucer. I feel horrible
the whole time thinking I am a bad Mom because I am not playing w/her.
My husband is a fireman and works a few overnights so that is
another reason for the guilt. I think I am not home all day and
feel bad exercising when I am home. I have reduced to 30 mins.
instead of my one hour. I do not like not exercising and it is
the one thing I feel I do for myself so why do I feel so badly???

Jennifer Claire 12/24/2005
? 8/6/07.

 

[saia11]

Suzanne,
I'm not a mom and I've never been pregnant, so feel free to stop reading right here if you like. Having said that, your post went straight to my heart---I can feel your love for your family in your words, and how you feel torn---feeling like you have to choose them or yourself. But, please know that taking this one hour a day for "yourself" should NOT make you feel guilty. Would you feel guilty about the time it takes to make a healthy dinner, take your prenatal vitamins, or go to the doctor for your prenatal care? Exercising is perhaps just as good for own health and the health of your unborn baby as any of these other things--- it relieves stress, it keeps your body strong and limber, it helps alleviate pregnancy's aches and pains, it improves the health of the baby you carry---both b/c of your healthier body and b/c of how it effects the baby's body composition, future reaction to insulin, immune system, and length/stress of delivery (studies have shown that women who exercised before and during pregnancy are more likely to have easier/more positive delivery experiences.

Please stand up for your health, your baby's health, the health of your whole family----because a happy mom is a happy home Also, I'm sure that your daught loves the Wiggles and when she is older she will know the positive example that mom set for her---strong mind, spirit, body---she will not think that you deprived her of your time. Just take a minute to do a search of these forums to see the hundreds of stories that other Catheites have shared where their kids love to be active with them, lift their own little weights, play on their own step, do crunches and plie jacks along with mommy. This is your time to build your health so that you can BETTER play with your kids out of doors, take them for bike rides, swim with them, chase them and not be out of breath. Even in Butts and Guts Cathe remarks that her little boys love to do firewalkers with her because they think that it looks so funny:7

As I said in the beginning, I have never been in your shoes, so I cannot tell you what to do, but I can tell you all I have read regarding this issue and can positively tell you that you are doing the best for yourself and your family!

With kindest wishes,
Mattea

 

[jennifersmom]

Mattea,

Wow. You don't have to be a Mom to understand. What a wonderful
thoughtful email. You have made me feel 100% better. I sincerely
appreciate you taking the time to email me.

Thank you so much Mattea,
Suzanne

 

[saia11]

Suzanne,
I'm so happy that you no longer feel guilty about your workouts I wish you the happiest and healthiest of pregnancies!

You are very welcome,
Mattea:7