What's Your Excuse?
This statement has people everywhere up in arms. When a mom of 3 decided to post an image of herself on Facebook with the title "What's your excuse?" people everywhere had something to say. I don't think it was the title so much as the way it was perceived. Here is the photo so you can see exactly why so many have an opinion on this subject.
Do we as women really make excuses as to why we can't be more healthy?
Although this image of what a woman should look like after having a baby does not sit well with me, little I get what she was saying. I know for myself I get so wraped up in my children sometimes I forget I need to take care of me to. I am important. Is taking care of kids really an excuse though? I think that I have used that "excuse" before. I know that I can find time to walk for 30-40min a day.
Actually that is something that I have been doing lately. I got so overwhelmed after having my twin girls just this past July that I didn't think I had time for anything. I have two other girls as well. Marina, my oldest, is 12yo and Juliana is 5yo.
When I decided I was going to go all in and lose the weight I knew I had to make sure to fit some time in to exercise. I started by walking to get my 5yo from kindergarden. It was about a 20min walk both ways. Then I joined a challenge on my loseit app to walk 800min in 14days. That's about 60min a day. To be honest, I signed up thinking I will just try my best, but then once I hit join I knew I was going to do everything in my power to achieve this.
I started by leaving 15-30min early to pick up my 5yo from school. I packed my twins in the double stroller and walked a nice pace all around my neighborhood until it was time to get my child. Then it was off to her school and back home. On the days when I couldn't get out of the house fast enough (with twins this is a challenge at times), I would finish the last 20-30min once my husband got home.
Well then it got so damn hot (I live in California) and the Santa Ana winds were starting up there was no way I was walking to get her. So once the girls took their morning nap I would do an exercise video for 30-40min and finish the other half of my workout once my husband got home.
I got so depressed sitting at home all day because after my morning exercise their was no way I was getting a shower until my husband got home. Besides their morning naps, the girls liked to tap out for naps. As soon as I got Maya down, I would start to get Audriana down and then Maya would wake up.
I could have thrown in the towel and used that as an excuse, but instead I had a sit down with my husband. I told him something had to give. I needed to workout, but I could not be couped up in the house all day either if I didn't get my walk with the twins in. I decided once he got home from work and we ate I would then do my workout while he tended to the girls for an hour. He was completely fine with that.
So no more excuses. This routine works for us. I get an hour a day of exercise.
I don't think she ment any harm, but the work "excuse" was just used when something else could have been put in its place.
I know it sounds harsh and yes it could have been worded different. I mean not everyone can look like that. We all have different bodies, different genetics, and different lives. Although I do think this picture gives off that same body image issue that the models on the front of the magazines give, I don't think she meant any harm. Could it have been a ploy to get that 15min of fame...maybe.
So all that being said. What is your excuse? Your children? Well wouldn't they be better off if they had a mom that was around as long as humanly possible. Or a happy mom who built up those endorphins while working out. Or is your 80hr work week your excuse? How about 2 or 3 twenty minute walks spread out through the day.
Here were my excuses: I have 4 kids. I have to work 40hrs at a job (before I was a stay at home mom), and then come home and work their too. Oh and how about healthy foods are to expensive.
I have decided to give up on my excuses and make this about me and getting healthy. I deserve some time for me to feel great.
Guess what happens when we take care of us... WE BECOME HAPPY, CONFIDENT, HEALTHY WOMAN!
