Ouch- No really ouch!

So let’s be honest- I will be 35 in July- so the thought that after a good two years of sitting on my ass I could just get right back into working was obviously a misjudgement. But I didn’t think I would be this sore! As you know my fitness plan was derailed by a nasty cold for a week- but this past week- oh I have been so very good. I did cardio four days, Pilates three times and swimming with the bug four days this week- including her first swim lesson. Now I can barely move. It’s not like I really over did it- I mean I walked on the treadmill and rode a stationary bike for an hour (30 minutes of each) and I didn’t take it too fast because let’s face it I have not really done much besides some yoga for the last couple of years- and I stretched before and after- but oh dear god am I feeling my age this morning. This exercise thing is really making me face my age- and the fact that the bug is getting older as well. Let me explain.

The Y has childcare for members as they work out for $2 an hour- which is awesome because the excuse I have been using for the last two years is- when I have the time to work out I do not have childcare. This totally solved my problem, but I was worried about leaving the bug in a room with some other kids and strangers. I mean the kid has hardly even had babysitters that are not related to her. And she spends her days with her dad and me- so I wondered how she would take being dropped off for an hour. Of course I also hoped this would be good for her, because while I suffer through kindermusic so that she can get some social time in, I thought maybe she was at a point where she needed some more interaction with other kids. But I worried she would cry- or worse be an absolute brat- all while I was walking briskly and trying not to sing Glee songs outloud. But to my surprise she was a perfect angel- seriously the child care ladies loved her and went on and on about what a good girl she was- I thought maybe they should come home and see this kid in action when she refuses to take a nap and then throws her dinner on the dog- not to the dog- on the dog. I warned them when we dropped her off for the first time that she didn’t go to daycare or anything- so if she started to get cranky then they could get me and I would just take her home. But when I came back an hour later with two grubby dollars in my hand the bug was lining up plastic dinosaurs. They went on and on about how good she was, they couldn’t believe that she didn’t go to some sort of outside care because she played with the other kids and totally entertained herself with toys. I was a bit shocked and actually so were they. One nice lady was telling me how most stay at home moms (dude I am not explaining our very complicated situation-) have a very hard time working out because their kids don’t do well in this setting. But not my kid- and the second day she ran into the room without a backward glance at me. Thanks kiddo. Between that and the overwhelming cries of “I do” that I hear all day I think she will be leaving for college soon.

And me- well I am having to face my age as well. As I have laid on the couch and whined to whomever will listen about how sore I am I couldn’t help but think back to a time when I did more than walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes and never had a problem- of course I was 16. I know it is probably hard for you to image me as an athlete- I know. I mean I was never the best but I was fine for high school. I played volleyball and softball- I also did dance and baton twirling ( and yep I twirled fire- it is awesome). And I was in good shape- now 15 years later I have post baby abs and a real reluctance to take the stairs anywhere. In the last few years I have done some yoga and Pilates- but not consistently or hard, so now I am paying the price- even my fingertips hurt. I was reading somewhere (don’t ask me where- I read a lot of stuff I can’t remember it all) that you should think of a goal so that you don’t slack off from working out. Now something I have always wanted to do is learn to run- like really run. I have always wanted to be one of those people who were all “I’m going for a run” but I never have been. Even when I was in good shape I dreaded the Presidential fitness test where I had to run a mile- like seriously dreaded it- because I could never run the full mile. But my secret wish has always been to be a runner. Maybe that could be a goal for me- I am not sure how to actually do this- but I’m an academic, I’ll read some books!