Someday is today
One morning last summer I was halfway up a mountain gasping for breath when a man about 30 years my senior passed right by—effortlessly, it seemed.. He wasn’t even panting as he climbed the toughest stretch of the trail. No stopping. No slowing.. As I watched him trek steadily upward, I became irritated with myself and my inability to catch my breath. Long after the man had passed I was still doubled over and in between gasps for air I said to my husband, "I gave birth to twins. I should be able to do this!"
That morning I faced the harsh reality that I had been denying for years. I was out of shape. And not just a little.
That morning was the turning point for me, the point where I realized I needed to get serious about making exercise a priority. It was the point where I realized that I could no longer claim postpartum, twin pregnancy, or "busy mother of toddlers" as an excuse for not taking care of my physical well being.
The sight of that man turning the corner ahead and slipping out of sight put into stark clarity for me that "someday" is moving ever closer. I realized that all of those years of having babies and raising babies had left me quite close to 40, a place I could not fathom being when I was 20. Someday has come. Someday is here. Someday is now. So, there, gasping for breath on the mountainside, I came to grips with the fact that I could no longer count a day of walking around Disneyland with my family as a day of "movement and exercise."
I subsequently reflected on what would finally motivate me to follow through and stick with something longer than three days. Then came clarity. The reason I do all of this (gestures widely around myself) is because of my family. The four kids and husband are the reason that I do "all of the things" in the first place. They are the ones I want to keep up with when I am 60. They are the ones I want to enjoy when I am older. I want to hold my grandchildren when they are born. I want to be a vibrant part of their life. I want to avoid becoming a burden for my kids when they are having kids of their own.
I decided my physical health and wellbeing was worth pouring time into now so that one day my husband and I can do all of those things that we have on our list for "someday." The places we want to visit. The trips we want to take. The things we want to experience. Together. "Someday."
"Someday" is drawing ever closer. It's time to get ready for it.
Aminowise
Some people naturally love working out. I am not one of those people.
When I told a friend how I felt about working out, she gave me some wise advice. She told me that if working out is a chore for me (which it is), then I should give myself a healthy reward for simply doing the task. Her suggestions were things like: after 20 workouts, splurge on the new workout shirt. After 40 workouts get those cute pants from Lululemon you've been eyeing. I loved that suggestion and have found it more motivating than focusing on why I am doing a workout in the first place.
One of the daily rewards that I began to enjoy was Aminowise, a supplement with branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s) for muscle building and repair. Besides tasting great, it also contains hydrating minerals to replace important minerals I lose during exercise. There’s also antioxidants for a faster recovery.
Here's my favorite way to drink it:
Snippets of My Week
Theo on his boogie board.
Steak taco night.
Homeschool at the coffee shop.
Lily and Pippa on the road.
Thanks for reading! What's something that you are putting off until "someday?" I'd love to hear about it. Just hit reply if you'd like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.