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New mom enters land of the living
Categories: Newborns, Just For Moms, Babies, Pregnancy & Birth, Mommy Musts
Two and a half months have passed since our baby Paloma was born and I've run out of excuses for not working out or pulling myself together before 2PM. I finally looked in the mirror (only because I was cleaning it) and decided that enough is enough - I need to re-enter the land of the living, even if I still feel like a sleep deprived zombie.
My first day on the elliptical machine was hard. Not the workout, but the three hours of procrastination I spent doing every other chore in the house. Wait, there are dust bunnies under the crib. Move bed, vacuum. Equally exhausting was the dread of squeezing my post-baby body into my pre-baby exercise clothes.
With the house in order, laundry sorted and going, and kids miraculously playing peacefully, I once again run out of excuses. No problem, I better check my e-mail. A news story flashes with a picture of my former workout idol, Madonna. What's she up to? Seeing her bulging arm veins and manly triceps, I almost scrap the workout all together. "Look what it's doing to Madonna," I tell myself, "This cannot be good for you."
Then one of those humbling mommy moments snaps me back to the reality of my overstretched abs. "Mommy, are you having another baby?" asks my pig-tailed four year-old. "No, honey,"I try to say sweetly through clenched teeth.
Fine! I'll get on the machine, but first I have to nurse and by the way, isn't nursing supposed to help my stomach come to its pre-baby shape? I guess there's an exclusionary clause for the fifth baby.
Long story short, I did 25 minutes on the elliptical and some abdominal crunches. I felt soooo good afterward! Why did I wait so long??!!
Baby's still asleep. Good! I can shower. Oh, this is what it feels like to be clean before noon. I had forgotten.
Baby's still asleep and the other kids haven't killed each other? I'm going to exfoliate and mask with my new favorite organic skin products (the best post-baby gift I have EVER received) and what the heck, I'll give myself a home pedicure.
Pores clean, skin soft, nails painted, hair washed. I'm back in the land of the living.
To learn more about Rachel, visit her website at www.rachelcamposduffy.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ku 7-29-2008 @ 8:45AM
I wish I had the motivation you had after two months. I guess it's because you are a more experienced mommy then I am. It is now 9 months and I am still getting back into the swing of things with just one baby!
Seriously... a wake up call is needed.
Good for you! I hope your baby is blossoming beautifully. I remember you from the old days, you and your hubby were my favorites. ^-^
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Chere 7-30-2008 @ 9:37AM
Good for you Rachel! Don't be too hard on yourself. The most important thing is that you are healthy. Believe me I know what you mean, my daughter is 2 and I feel like I am finally back to a size I am comfortable in. I did it by good eating habits and walking on the treadmill at very high inclines, which was really hard, but i feel healthier and more fit than even before my pregnancy. You look great, plus i am sure you get plenty of exercise with 5 kids!
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kelly 7-30-2008 @ 10:51PM
Aw, good for you, Rachel. Go easy on yourself, and maybe once the kids are back in school you'll find it easier to get on a good routine. I am always ready for the structure!
If you want a very fast and effective workout, try Jillian Michaels' (Biggest Loser) new DVD, 30 Day Shred. It is fantastic--hard, but only 25 minutes per day. Great combo of cardio, strength & abs. I've used it for just a few weeks and am seeing good results. I'm motivated to do it because I know it will be over quickly! ;-)
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Nicole 8-01-2008 @ 1:26PM
That's really great Rachel! My youngest is 8 months and I'm realizing that the weight is lingering way longer than is did with my first two! I have to work out more and eat healthier to get it off! I enjoy your blog and was wondering if you could ever post about your daily schedule...especially with school starting I find it so hard to pack everyone up in the morning to take my oldest to school. It was much harder in the winter with a newborn! I dreaded taking him out in the freezing cold weather! I was talking with other Mom's and it seems a lot of us have this issue. I thought maybe, since you have 5 and seem so "together" you could offer up some advice! Congrats again!
~Nicole
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mpnadler 8-08-2008 @ 1:33PM
Congratulations on your new baby girl. I love your blog, very inspiriing.Think you could be a first lady some day. I didn't do a sit up until my son was about 12 (years old). I'm just saying.
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Steve 8-22-2008 @ 11:07PM
Keep up your motivation!
What keeps me working out? I am nearly 40 and my daughter is 2. I want to see her grown up and get a piece of her dreams. A little workout every day... it's worth it. I don't want to croak at 65 -- that puts me somewhere near death when she is deciding to get married.
No way... gonna live to 80!
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