The following has been missing since about March of 2006:
NO, not my sweet sister. I just spoke with her this morning and she is doing fine. I can, actually, find her at almost any time I need her.
NO, not Marin either. I don't know where she is...I do miss her, but not as much as what I am posting about.
NO, not the adorable little chub-a-lub that has turned out to be the most handsome and helpful little boy on the planet. At that point in time, I had to do deep knee lunges across a room with him swaddled tightly in a blanket to go to sleep. Not the easiest child to put to sleep...but man it did a number on by rear end and legs, which leads me into what I am missing. Who knew that the curse of a collicky child would actually turn into such a blessing?
I'm missing THAT body. That was the one that ate no differently than I eat now (I am enjoying a nice lettuce salad drizzled in a tablespoon of fat-free italian dressing) but lived in ever-so-walkable Hawaii and managed to walk or jog 2 miles everyday while pushing a stroller around with a 20 pound baby in it and even had time & money to go to the gym every once in a while to work on upper-body strength...oh, and I went to school full-time too.
Those shorts...I HAD to wear a belt or else they would have fallen down to my ankles. That bra...no padding, I was really once that endowed. That shirt didn't cling to my body...it allowed air to breathe through the woven fibers.
So, this morning, while looking in the mirror and missing the old me, I remembered the picture above and decided it was time to dissapoint myself even further by doing a comparison. I pulled out the same items I wore on that day and put them on.
No need to wear a belt, as I could barely squeeze my thighs into the shorts. I placed my $90 Victoria Secret unmentionable on (it came with silicone inserts) and then pulled the shirt over my head stretching at the arm holes to get them over what once was a bicep and tricep. No air breathing through these fibers today.
Abi is now my prop...Connor is WAY to big to be holding like that any more
You see, I now have three children under foot. I love them sooooo very much, but putting two of them in the double stroller and coaxing one to walk along by my side for a two mile venture is not fun nor does it get your heart rate up in a manner that is GOOD for your heart.
Todd and I have attempted taking turns in the evenings going for jogs (the guy goes to work at 6:30 each morning and doesn't get home till 5:30...then it's dinner....then it's life). But in the last month, I have been able to get out once and I think Todd has only been able to get out four times. Let's be real...with meetings, outings and a yard to put it, we both haven't been able to get out for those runs we have planned on.
So, I am asking you women who have more than two children under foot and can empathize with me:
What do you do to keep yourself in shape and happy with your post-baby body?
How do you find the time to do it?
16 comments:
Oh my goodness! I think you still look great! I only have 2 kids, but I swear there is NO time! Unless I had a maid, or chef or errand runner, maybe I could fit it in.Working out is something that I LOVE and am so addicted to but have had to let go. I just don't have time for me at the end of the day. Maybe we should take turns watching eachothers kids or something! I could use a jog thats for sure!
Want to know what's funny about me in that picture? I have a bruise on my arm in that picture, and I just got rid of an identical bruise...I don't know what it takes to get in shape, I have all the time in the world and still manage to let it slide by!
My goodness, your arms look amazing in that picture! Mine have NEVER looked liked that. I know what you mean. About everything. (I'm ordering one of those bras immediately. So sad.) I miss Hawaii and the walking it provided SO MUCH. I have made a lame attempt to do some workout videos (I've been sore a few times, so at least I feel like SOMETHING is going on) and also, I bought a Gazelle (kind of like a very light elliptical machine) off of craigslist and my goal is 20 minutes a day while I'm watching TV, which is usally at night when I'm exhausted, so I haven't used it much. (sigh). You know what my mom did? For 20 years. She's STILL doing it, even though her kids are grown. She got together with 3 or 4 of her friends, someone got a key to the church, and every M,W, and F they met at the church and worked out together while the kids played with nursery toys. If I lived by you, I'd do that for sure. Good luck and know my heart is with you.
And P.S. I LOVE the Connor has the tattoo on his leg to match you guys. so adorable.
Well, I can so relate. I'm missing my body of 2005 which I thought wasn't very nice back then but would really like to have now. The exercise and body thing is a constant struggle for me; despair is tempting. Lately, I try to exercise really early or walk in the mid-morning (and my heart races in like manner to yours with the stroller). May I recommend yoga at our church on tuesdays as 8 p.m.? strength training on thurs. at 8 p.m.? Come with me when I get back if it works with your busy schedules.
And I forgot my most important comment of all: I think you look really good. Honest, I do.
I don't get to make a suggestion, but I think you look great! BTW-I don't think you need strength training:) OK, I'm making a suggestion anyway. Less stress!!! I think women don't totally realize that the stress of kids is harder on your body then having kids. Try and decrease stress your life!!! Like stressing about your body! Just take a minute and write down some things you could do to get rid of some stress in your life. No, you can't put the kids (or your husband) on that list!!! Stress releases hormones that trigger the "fight or flight" responds. This make your body panic and hold on to whatever you've got (which really isn't much). Hang in there and enjoy your weekend!!!!
Oh just stop it! You are still so hot. Leave yourself alone!
If it makes you feel better, you look WAY better then I ever have. AND I'm just getting started on the baby thing which means I probably won't get my body back till I'm closer to 40. How depressing!!! You're a cutie!!
I don't really have any suggestions for you, but I think you look great the way you are. Seriously, if you still were that skinny and toned after 3 kids I don't know if I could be your friend! ;) First of all give yourself a little break--Carly isn't even two yet! Secondly I really think you are beautiful the way you are now. We all get "fatter" and "uglier" as we age, it is just a fact of life. Lastly, I've been to that place too! I loved my little Hawaii vacation (sigh).
I just wear flattering clothes that happen to hide all that good stuff!
What I want to know is how you keep so many blogs! That is quite an undertaking. Nice to catch up on your family. Darling kids. And you look fantastic! I haven't figured out how to exercise regularly. I occasionally go walking early in the morning with friends. But I definitely have the same dilemma. It seems to fall in the category of "...after my kids get older."
It's called SPANKS! Ha Ha! Don't we all wish that we had those tiny little bodies still? Eric and I have decided to go to the gym (they have a kids area that we can check the kiddos into). I was never afraid to wear a swim suit until the last 4-5 years, now I cant find one that covers up enough! But seriously, everyone I know that looses some weight does it by not drinking soda, and eating lots of salad. My aunt just lost a bunch of weight (like from a size 20 down to a 2)by only drinking water and good fresh food. She bought a treadmill and a ab lounge chair, but other than that I don't know what she did, but she sure looks great! When you figure it out let me know!
get a membership to golds gym and use the daycare! I love it! (its if I can eat good. I hve 12 pounds of fat to lose too...)I know it is irritating huh?
Wow, I'm a little late on this one, but thought I'd comment anyway. I love working out, it's something that has always been a constant in my life. I think the key for me is that I exercise out of habit. I just know that it's something I do every day (or at least four days a week). To me it's like brushing my teeth or eating breakfast. I used to work out at the gym, but we cancelled our memberships to save money. Now I get workout videos from the library and exercise while my kids are either napping or playing where I can see them (which isn't hard in my house). I don't look like I used to, and I don't know that I ever will, but I always feel good after I work out, and that's why I do it. By the way, you look fabulous. And don't forget that chasing your kids around and carrying them counts as exercise too!
I was just browsing your blog after you commented on mine (thanks by the way! I had no idea you knew about my blog) and I stumbled on this post.
I don't know if you still feel this way, but I sure hope not. The entire time I have known you, you have looked absolutely awesome! You have a fantastic figure and besides that, you have a gorgeous face, enviable Sleeping Beauty-esque hair, and of course, the sweetness of your character and spirit are unmatched.
As for working out and keeping in shape, I keep track of what I eat and exercise to cardio workout videos 4-5 times a week for about 30 minutes each time. I have no time for more than that!
I still have a few more pounds from baby #2 to lose though. Why in the world do women have to gain weight while pregnant? What a pain! I know my baby doesn't use it! :)
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