help with motivation please!!

[lizbar]

I just found out I am 10 weeks pregnant. I didn't even know. My husband and I are still in shock. My daughter is 10 mnths old. I feel so incredibly tired and moody that I can't get myself to workout. When i do, I feel much better.
How do you all keep yourself motivated to work out when you really dont feel like it? I'm frustrated because a few months ago I finally got myself back into a Cathe rotation, but now it's gone.
I;m also eating terribly, so that isn't helping me much either.
Any motivation suggestions would be so appreciated.
Thanks,
Lizzie

 

[Shopahollic]

Lizzie congrats. Once you adjust to having 2 young children at once you will be happy they are so close in age. It sounds like you have a bit of anxiety/depression since it sounds unplanned. So first, talk to people about your feelings . Don't feel guilty you wil be a great mom to both kids. Next, force yourself to work out. Listen to your body but schedule in at least 30 minutes per day, hopefully while the baby naps. Chose workouts at first that are easier to get you back in the swing, then move onto harder workouts that you can modify during your pregnancy.PS. I speak as a mom and as a therapist.

 

[cyclinggirl]

Lizzie, congratulations!!

I'm sure it's a tough adjustment and a surprise, not to mention the first trimester hormones and exhaustion you must be feeling. I think the advice so far is great, talk about your feelings and get some of that out. The working out will come back when you're feeling a bit more at ease and accepting of what's unfolding in your life.

Don't be too hard on yourself, it's not just about the physical workouts, there's a lot to the mental side of things.

You might be feeling overwhelmed, especially if you were feeling as though you were so close to getting your body back after your first baby. Take some time to take care of yourself: rest, relax, maybe write in a journal, go for some power walks to think things through. After you begin to feel better, more hopeful, you can start back into your rotations as you feel up to it...ya gotta let yourself get through the 1st trimester roller coaster though. It's a good time to cut yourself some slack.

When you're feeling better I'm sure you'll find a way to work out and make yourself feel healthy, strong, and fit. If it were me, I would aim to focus on buckling down in the 2nd trimester when you're feeling better physically and mentally -- that can be your main goal.

Don't worry, you'll get there in no time. Best of luck to you!

Steph

p.s. my 2nd trimester "honeymoon phase" didn't really begin until 14 weeks...was way too ill before that.

 

[lizbar]

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I guess I do need to give myself a break alittle. I was told I could never have children (my sister was my egg donor when I became pregnant with my daughter) That's why we are in such shock. I am thrilled because it's such a miracle for us, but my stress is taking over my happiness. My mom also passed away unexpectedly months ago, so that is 90% of my depression.
As selfish as this sounds, when the baby comes I will lose my workout room (ha ha). It's such an awesome setup. I know it sounds silly, but I am even stressing over where I will work out. I hate working out in the living room, but I will have to adjust.
Thanks again for your advice.
lizzy

 

[stepitup]

Lizzy,

It doesn't sound selfish at all!! Being a mom (especially of an infant) and wife is very demanding. Working out is one of the few things that I get to do for myself (mind you, I have to get up at 4 AM otherwise I wouldn't even have thatx() and if I ever lost it, I would feel devestated. I'm sure you will find a new area to work out and it may not be that perfect place but hopefully you will still find some joy in it.

Congratulations and try to relax:7

Trish

 

[cyclinggirl]

Lizzy,

Wow. I'm sooo sorry to hear about your mom. Big hug to you! They say that's the greatest loss a person can experience, so no wonder you're not feeling so hot or motivated. I feel for you, I lost my mom just before Christmas of 2005, we were really close and she went way too fast, gone in just 2 weeks.

I got pregnant a few months after that and I thought of it as a gift from her, some of her last words were that I was going to have a daughter. But I miscarried while on vacation and everything seemed so bleak and dark after that. Just a few months later my maternal grandmother died too...the sense of loss was overwhelming and I didn't feel like doing much at all. But I learned that I needed to grieve, cry, get it out...it took time but it really helped when I finally let myself feel the pain.

So, give yourself time to grieve your loss of your mom. Having a baby is a time when we reflect on our own mom and motherhood, and sometimes we draw closer to them, so you may be feeling it that much more. I know I miss mine terribly. :-( But now I'm pregnant with that daughter she predicted I'd have and it's a very happy reminder of her.

Also, it's not crazy or selfish that you're thinking about your exercise room too -- that's another big loss. It's something you've used to feel good about yourself and it's natural to be angry, sad, bummed out at the thought of losing it.

I'm sure you'll find a nice set-up and routine in the living room or elsewhere. It's definitely not the same but you'd be surprised what you can do in even a small 4X6 room!! And you'll be so happy to see your latest miracle sleeping in his or her new room, I'm sure the room will take on a whole new meaning.

Congratulations on your miracle baby - it's quite a story!! And maybe this one is a gift from your mom too!


Steph