Why I Don't Workout

by Rachel Campos-Duffy (Subscribe to Rachel Campos-Duffy's posts) Feb 28th 2008 9:24AM

For Christmas this year, we bought a really great elliptical workout machine. We have four kids and we live in Northern Wisconsin. I'm also originally from Arizona, so a gym membership that would entail leaving my house in zero below weather, is not really an option for me. If working out is going to be a part of my life, the equipment needs to be in my house, where it is warm. I also have a total gym machine (the one Chuck Norris hawks) and a spinning machine that I love. I've had the total gym for five years and the bike for 8 and needless to say, I was getting bored with my workouts. I love the new elliptical, mostly because it is very quiet (which allows me to hear the television better) and because it has an awesome "glute buster" function that gives me a pre-programmed kick butt (no pun intended) workout that really targets my problem areas. The new workout machine was very motivating....for the first month, but now that I am 7 months pregnant, I am surrendering to the fact that NOTHING can motivate me. For the last four days, I have put on my workout clothes in the morning, in hopes of finding a 30-minute window somewhere in my day to jump on the elliptical. And for the last four nights, I have taken off my workout clothes to put on my pajamas without even so much as touching a dumbbell, let alone a machine. Tonight, I was feeling especially defeated as I asked my husband, Sean, to help me remove my tennis shoes (bending now gives me terrible indigestion). "Who am I fooling?" I asked him, "I'm too lazy to workout." Sean said "Lazy??! You're not lazy. You have four kids and you're 7 month pregnant." It took me a moment to take that in, but then I thought, he's right, I'm not lazy, I'm PREGNANT! Why did I need Sean to remind me of this most obvious fact? I really don't know, but I'm glad he did. Now if he would just go get me my favorite ice cream......

Comments (8)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Margo 2-28-2008 @ 9:49AM

Racheal I just found your blog yesterday and have to admit I watched you on your Reality shows and was thrilled when you and Sean got together. I also watched you the two different times trying out for the view. I watch it everyday and loved reading what you have to say about some of the shows, I so agree with what you have to say.

Now as for the excerise hummm yeah girl I would not say lazy at all with four kids and pregnant again heck I would say you are doing awesome getting dressed LOL

Christine 2-28-2008 @ 10:28AM

Don't be too hard on yourself, Rachel--you are probably getting more of a workout than you realize by keeping up with your kids!

I'd be curious to hear more about how you stay motivated to work out AT HOME. I can never seem to get myself to do anything at home, even if the equipment is there. Do you workout during certain times, or when certain shows are on TV? I don't blame you for being bored--especially now since you can't get outside!

Also, your post reminded me of a question I'd love to hear more about (though maybe it doesn't directly relate to 'Parent Dish')--how have you adjusted to the big move from Arizona (and, presumably, a large city) to a smallish town in Northern Wisconsin? What do you miss most about city living? Least? Would you move elsewhere if you could? How do you see it as beneficial for your family life? Just curious--I admire you for taking on northern WI after growing up in the sun belt!

Denzylle 2-28-2008 @ 11:38AM

Is this also why you can't write in paragraphs?

Every other writer on ParentDish can manage that.

Margo 2-28-2008 @ 12:29PM

Relieze that I didn't say anything about motivatin earlier. I have found that even with all the stuff in the house I just can't seem to get myself to do it. I have found that walking in the mornings is what works for me. I know this is hard with kids and I wasn't able to start untill my youngest started school last year. I love see all the things around me the yards how everyone has the houses decorted for what ever holiday.

Michelle 2-28-2008 @ 4:45PM

I don't blame you for not working out. I live here the frozen tundra of WI too, and there are times when our cupboard goes bare because the temps are so frigid I dread going to the grocery store at night, never mind the gym!

My sister-in-law is a die hard runner, who also lives up north, and she runs outside, every day, 99% of the time. She says she loves running in winter, but surely she is the exception.

The end of pregnancy can be a killer, and I don't blame you one bit for not exercising. Besides, you are running after 4 kids, cooking, cleaning, always on your feet. I'm sure that burns lots of calories too, and zaps you of any extra energy you would need to work out.

When I was pregnant with my 4th, I remember my legs felt like heavy bricks as I tried to walk up the stairs. I don't think I worked out much past the 6th month. I was 35 at that time, and for me, I could really understand why the doctors considered 35+ high risk for pregnancy. My blood pressure went up, I was retaining water, and was all-around more tired and miserable that time around, even though I wasn't doing anything differently than my last pregnancies (which I enjoyed up 'til the end). It was a lot harder than only 5 years before, at age 30.

Still, I see some women, young and old, working out so effortlessly through to the 9th month. Not sure how they do it!

Maybe when the weather starts to get nicer, you could make up a walking schedule with a friend. It's always easier to exercise when you have someone to talk to and be accountable to.

Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and don't worry about the working out.

Michelle

luluhart 2-28-2008 @ 6:28PM

You're husband rules. How sweet of him to sympathize with your pregnancy and not say a word about you needing to work out! I'm not sure I could expect the same from my husband. You lucky girl!

Lori
www.brandnewmama.com

hope 2-29-2008 @ 6:16AM

One of my favorite things that I read during my pregnancy was that it takes more energy for your body to make a baby than it does to climb Mount Everest. While I can't vouch for it's accuracy, it sure did explain a lot! And it made me feel better at the time :)

Sara N 3-01-2008 @ 1:41PM

I remember when I was pregnant with my son and I was very good about going to the gym until about my 7th month. I was on the treadmill and doing what I thought was pretty good for a pregnant lady when I saw that all the older (senior citizens) people around me were going faster that I was! I decided then that I was done working out until after my son was born. I am still working on getting back to the gym on a regular basis. My son is now 6. There are just not enough hours in the day or energy in my body.

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