Ever since I graduated, found a job and got married, I've had three go-to excuses I use to avoid working out: not enough time, too much to do, and, as the name implies, it's "work."
Luckily, I found one really good reason to get back in shape: my kids.
Life happens fast. One day I'm receiving my degree, the next I'm exchanging vows. Soon it's 50-hour weeks in the office, late dinners, and no time for exercise. Two kids later, life is hectic and I'm overweight and out of shape.
My excuses made perfect sense. Between kids, housework and work-work, I had too much to do. Besides, who wants to grind it out on the treadmill–step after painful step–after a 10-hour day in the office? Not me. My time was at a premium, and if I was going to waste it on anything other than caring for my kids or doing my job, I was going to be having fun–going out for dinner, enjoying some cocktails, relaxing on the couch watching the Lifetime movie channel… you get my drift.
I would not work out.
That's how it was, but my kids changed all that.
My daughter, 17, and my son, 15, are absolutely amazing. They're smart (yes, I have a couple of those "My kid is an honor roll student" bumper stickers on my SUV). They're involved in church and school clubs. And they both play sports. They wake up every morning full of energy and excited about what the day may bring.
I admire and love them both SO much. I'm really excited about who they are and can't wait to see who they will become.
Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you that I decided to lose weight and get healthy because I thought I might have a heart attack and die if I didn't do something (although I do hope to live long enough to be an active great-grandmother to their grandchildren).
No. My kids inspired me to get in shape by showing me that working out and living healthy doesn't have to be hard work at all. They showed me it could be fun!
I first noticed it when I asked my daughter if she wanted to go to a basketball camp. If she was serious about basketball, I thought maybe she could get a scholarship and play in college. She told me she just played because it was fun.
Then one day my son came home with a new racing bicycle. I asked if he planned to race in the Tour de France. He told me that he just liked riding with his friends. It's just his hobby.
Exercise? A hobby? Fun?
That got me thinking about things I like to do–Zumba, dancing and volleyball, which I hadn't played since I was on my college team.
Now I play every Thursday night. I also Zumba with my sister twice a week and go dancing nearly every weekend with my husband.
It's fun. I'm losing weight. And it isn't "work" at all.
