Gym Therapy

I have a secret. Sometimes I feel like I am going to lose my mind. I love my kids to pieces, but they often have the ability to suck out every ounce of energy I have and this mama becomes desperate for a break.

That break comes in the form of gym therapy. Every single day that I can get it. 

Do you know what I do when my six kids are whining and fighting and all of them are talking to me at once asking for different things they need me to help them with immediately over breakfast? I say to myself, “You can do this. Only one more hour before you get to go to the gym. You can make it.” And it usually works. I can smile and answer lovingly knowing a break is coming soon.

The past eleven years of my life have been devoted to pregnancy and nursing. I have had at least two kids in diapers for the past 9 years. I am incredibly blessed. I am also incredibly thankful for an hour break each and every day to focus on myself and replenish my own body and soul so I can care for theirs.

I am far from being a fit mama or physical trainer and have handfuls of super embarrassing gym stories. But I keep going. I keep trying new classes and instructor experiences to find what I love most. And every time I leave, I am a little stronger physically and mentally. It’s wonderful to be in the moment of my gym class and not think about anything else currently on the worry or to-do list. It makes me feel alive to listen to loud music and push my body to its fullest. It brings me confidence to find out I am good at some classes and moves and am truly building muscle! 

During my gym time, I feel assured that my kids are in the best of hands at the gym childcare. It’s a good experience for them to play with other kids and developmentally appropriate toys. They also learn mom will come back after a bit and they were ok on their own with caring leaders to help them as needed.

I am sharing this gym therapy tip with you because I didn’t enroll in my gym until my caboose baby was 8 weeks old. I could have had this daily mama break for mental and physical health years ago!

I will say I did try out quick enrollments at two other gyms in the past decade and then quit after a couple of months because they weren’t good fits. Sometimes as a mama the stars have to align to make something work as a daily routine. Sadly, when it’s a personal fulfillment goal, this is especially true. For example, the first gym I enrolled at didn’t have group classes, only equipment that I didn’t know how to use. The childcare put all ages in one room and my baby really disliked the arrangement. The next time I enrolled in a gym it was three years later in a different state. This gym seemed promising but it wasn’t a good fit either. It was too uppity for me to feel comfortable as the other women were dressed in expensive matching workout clothes and even matching shoes in their seemingly super-fit bodies, so I wasn’t comfortable trying out group fitness classes. Also, my infant would cry for 20 minutes until the childcare called me to get him every.single.time. I wasn’t happy with the child care for my older girls either. All they did was watch a TV show during that 20 minutes. CANCELED.

18 months ago a friend recommended trying out the YMCA. I was interested as I really wanted to see if I could get my post-baby body in great shape or at least looking obviously NOT pregnant! My family toured it and the stars aligned! Every detail from the host who gave us the tour, to the sign up incentive deal, to the timing of signing up before my baby had any reason to feel separation anxiety worked like magic. It was meant to be. 

The people at the YMCA are real people that I can relate to in various stages in their fitness journeys. The staff is personable and welcoming and helpful – they know me and my children by name. I could write a whole post about my love for the YMCA childcare program and staff. My closest YMCA facility is only two years old so the childcare equipment and toys are still new and updated. There is a huge window looking into the infant room so I know with surety that my baby is being cared for well. And the toddler and preschool rooms are dreams with the fun toys! Plus the kids get turns playing on the outdoor playground and in the indoor basketball courts for running games, duck duck goose, and ball play. No TVs for the little ones. Coloring, games, books and group video games for my bigger kids ages six and up. I love the experiences my kids have while being dropped off for my gym time. 

My gym therapy is my rejuvenation time. My “let’s not think about babies crying or serving lunch or anybody needing anything from me for one whole blissful hour” time. I get to set my own fitness goals, put energy into bettering my body, and have an hour of music and fitness fun. Then I am ready to pick up those sweet children of mine and carry on with reality. I never really saw myself as a fitness-loving mama, but I am! It may have even saved my motherhood. I encourage you to give it a try!

I pretty much live my life in gym clothes. I put them on in the mornings and often don’t get a chance to shower until evening. Gym life and mom life go together and below are some of my favorite recommendations.

I love tummy control, compression capri leggings for working out! I have splurged on athleta and gap fit on occasion but am seriously gushing over these affordable workout capris! And the colors!!! The “mustard” is in my amazon cart right now…

And mamas! Look what I recently discovered! Modest exercise shorts! These will be perfect for running, biking, spin class, and hustling through a high intensity interval training class – so thrilled to have found these!

I am a big fan of keeping my gym wear modest. Why not, right? Below is a polyester workout shirt with sleeves that helps me look great during workouts as well as comfortable. I love doing a cute side tuck with it into my workout capris to add some definition and style but still cover my tummy and back for burpees and tuck jumps.

These are the New Balance shoes I am currently sporting to the gym. I will be honest that I don’t love their support as much as my old Brooks shoes, but the price is right and I love the pink.

Cheering for you, my friend!

XOXOXO

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