Meg & Raul are a couple of months shy of turning 11 & 8. The “I haven’t lost my weight beacuse of my kids” excuse just doesn’t fly anymore. This is magnified, of course, when I see all those friends I hang out with looking spectacular in spite of having kids younger much than my own. So what is the problem with getting off my a$$ and getting back in shape? I would like to think that it’s time or more likely lack of. Given the fact that I drive the kids to swim lessons three days during the week after school and their soccer, music and dance lessons over the weekend, there is not much time to set aside for self. I have made all the usual resolutions to take a walk in the evening after dinner and the likes, but after a long drive to and from work, a busy day at work and an evening shift catering to the kids and their needs, there is not much energy left to dedicate to self.
Several attempts at taking swim lessons on saturday mornings failed as well thanks to hanging out late night with friends on fridays. Obviously that is not something that can be sacrificed given that it contributes to maintaining sanity most of the time. Add to that is the need to rush back from swim lessons to escort the kids to their various lessons and not feel guilty about delegating weekend cooking to grandparents as well. All this thought about exercising, without actually accomplishing anything has resulted in a sore back and a body that is completely bent out of shape, looking and feeling ancient.
Fueling this frustration is the fact that the OH has unearthed his passion for cricket that has been lying dormant for years now. He has found a home for his passion in the form of a league that pits teams against one another during the gorgeous winter months the city we live in offers. His decision to set aside all other priorities in lieu of his passion does not make it any easier on me to find the time to break a sweat and attempt to look & feel any more fit. Apart from the routine drooling that happens at the sight of a fitness center, no efforts have been taken to put the body to the test.
The one last straw to break the camel’s back was when a friend I was meeting after about a month’s break looked at me and observed loudly “You have gained weight.” Before I could allow myself to completely wallow in self-pity, he redeemed himself by saying “But you look so much better now.” I realize it’s time for some realigning of priorities and finding the time to get the much needed workout. Wish me luck!!
