What come's first--your workout--or the demands of life...

RE: What come's first--your workout--or the demands of ...

I workout early in the morning, when my little daughters are still sleeping, and my DH has already gone to work. He gets out of here at 4:30 am, to get to the base and do his PT (he is in the ARMY). That way, nobody bother or interrupt me when I workout, and I can supply my husband and daughters with attention. -I know it's not a possibility for everybody, though. When I try to read fitness stuff, these forums, or read or do anything I like, when my DH is present, he gets angry because he wants my undivided attention. (You can imagine what the "D" in DH stands for in that last sentence. x( )
 
It is a balance. I plan my work-outs at a time when there is a least likely chance of interuption. Phones, that is what an answering machine is for! Getting up early does not interupt anyone's schedule, working out when DD is at swim practice, gives me something to do. Swimming at lunch and then eating lunch at my desk does not bother my boss.

Of course, there are those days. Yesterday in the middle of Cardio kicks, the window guys came early. I ran upstairs, let them in, and ran downstairs and continued.....
 
RE: What come's first--your workout--or the demands of ...

I marvel at the women who work outside the home 8 hours a day and have children to care for and a husband they also want to spend time with and can still get their workouts in. I bow to all of you and admire your perserverence.

It's easy for me to get my exercising in early in the morning...not easy at all for you. It takes real determination and dedication :)
 
RE: What come's first--your workout--or the demands of ...

Sabrina, I understand you and sympathize with you. I had the same problem a few years ago. Even though I was motivated and thrilled about working out regularly, that wasn't a possibility, at least in a structured way. My daughters were very young, and the youngest was a very sensitive and demanding toddler. (I wonder who she got that from?...any idea LOL)If I waked up early in the morning, she would wake up too. It was as if she could sense it through telepathy or something. She had a very light sleep, unlike the oldest one, whom could sleep with the radio on, etc.
Anyway, thankfully, those days are over. My little Maria sleeps till late now. Like you said, they don't stay young forever. One just have to find ways of still doing "at least something", and have faith that the situation is going to change. One can throw in a few squats while holding a little one. Instead of barbell curls, toddler curls, etc...LOL;)
 
Like many others on this board, family comes first, but it doesn't begin my day...I've got a routine down in the morning that doesn't disrupt family life...Monday through Friday, I'm up at 5 (toast, fruit, lemon water and to check e-mail), then working out by 5:30...DH and DD aren't up 'till 7, so I've usually got time to sneak a shower in after my post workout protein shake (if the blender doesn't wake them up!!)...I tried working out in the evening, or mid-afternoon (I'm a real estate agent, so much of my work is from home), but once the day begins, there are too many excuses not to work out...Once LIFE takes over the day, working out for me is no-wheres-ville...

MJ in MN
 
RE: What come's first--your workout--or the demands of ...

Wow, Venus! What an accomplishment! Congrats on all your hard work. :)

My workouts come first because without my health--and my mental health from working out--nothing is right in the world for me. This doesn't mean I'm so inflexible that I don't reschedule things or skip a workout when I need to--but I have a limit as to how much I will push my workouts off to the side. Why should something that makes me feel so happy and alive have to play second fiddle to all the petty demands and everyday stresses of this life?

P.S. I don't have kids--I think the women here who manage to fit in exercising while raising kids are incredible--you guys really inspire me when I am trying to drag myself out of bed at the (relatively late) hour of 6 am!
 
RE: What come's first--your workout--or the demands of ...

I will skip dinner, phone calls, email, shoe sales and movies for a workout, but with work, school, 2.5 kids under age 4, a DH with chronic health issues, and older parents, I am not afraid to toss the workout if necessary. We've had enough close calls that I treasure every minute I have with my family, and I unfortunately don't work for a gym, so they would NOT be understanding if I missed a deadline because I had to finish my weekly rotation :) (I know, how rude!)

I used to choose where I lived based on how close the gym was - I would go after work for hours, and loved to take at least 2-3 classes in a row. I believe that fitness is a lifestyle, so I try to put the workout part in perspective. If I do everything I can to stay healthy - eat clean, stay active, make healthy choices every day - then not being able to work out every day is not going to be the end of the world for my fitness goals. I do what I can when I can and believe that everything happens in its time.
 
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