Really, I’m not kidding, there aren’t. I realize I’m telling this to those who probably know but it needs to be said aloud. I feel compelled to tell you… I feel the same WAY!
I DO!
The number one question I get in my inbox is no longer about motivation and weight loss it’s about "How I do it all". How do I balance work, family, house, workouts, etc.?
I’ve been having a few conversations via email and I can feel the frustration in the words they type as they ask me for advice.
Man, do I wish I had all the answers. I really do. I feel their pain, literally. I’m not kidding when I say today I almost had a break down. I had an all day training event in the city, got stuck in traffic, missed the toddler’s karate class, and totally freaked out when I started to think of all the things I had to get done before Friday’s Chicago Trip.
I’m one busy Momma. I know this. (and I only have ONE, how you other Momma’s do it with more then 1 child, I can’t EVEN begin to comprehend!) Part of the problem is my inability to say no (which I’m getting better at as I get older) but mostly it’s because I want to do SO many things. I’ve always been an interested person. I choose to do these blogs. I choice to cook dinners, to continue to work, to workout, to spend quality time with the toddler, to introduce him to new experiences, to make the hard choices. These things aren’t always easy, but I know they are worth it and they make my life better and richer.
Some days are easier then others. There are times I want to lock myself in a room forget about everthing. Other days things seem to just come together.
An email (paired with my crazy day) inspired this post. And I wanted to share the response I sent to someone’s (I didn’t ask permission so I don’t want to use any names or messages.) multiple requests for my advice on balancing everything. Feeling frustrated as I really don’t know the answer I shared a bit about my day, literally as I was debating with myself about running after this long, hard day.
…today I was at a meeting ALL day 9-4. The toddler and I spent the morning together, the husband and I took him to day care. Went to our meeting. Sat in an hour and half of traffic on the way back to get the toddler, we came home, made dinner, had dinner, played a bit, watched some TV. Right now, it’s 8PM the husband is giving him a bath and I’m literally putting on my running shoes. Do I want to? NO! But I know I’ll feel better when I get back. I’m tired. I still have to clean up the house a bit, put some laundry away and get work done on my sites. Some days are just hectic like this. Some days I choose to watch TV some days I choose to get a workout in. It’s all a matter of what’s important to you and what you make non-negotiable. I haven’t had any time to workout since Monday so right now, this run is important for me because I may not have time workout again until next week!
Life is a balance. It’s tough. There’s no magic schedule.
My advice…. Do what you can, when you can. At least that’s how it is for me.
Now, I have to get out and hit the pavement before I lose my motivation!!!
I’m proud to say I did go for that run. I did it for me. That 20 minutes of blaring music (see below) with no phone, no email and time to clear my mind was exactly what I needed after a long day. It may have seemed easier to plop in front of the TV but there’s no way I’d feel as good as I do now if I did.
Plus, with the Nike+ I got a boost of motivation when I saw my 9:20 minute pace! I upped my pace at the end per instruction of ‘the trainer’. :~)
During this run I jammed out to my latest running mix on my NEW ipod! (that’s right, I got the GREEN one ;~P)
| Song – Artist | Length |
|---|---|
| Bleed It Out - Linkin Park | 2:44 |
| Graduate - Third Eye Blind | 3:10 |
| Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead | 3:56 |
| I’m Not Like Everybody Else - The Kinks – not on iTunes :~( | 3:28 |
| Paralyzer - Finger Eleven | 3:28 |
| Mr. Brownstone - Guns N’ Roses | 3:49 |
| The Distance - Cake | 3:01 |
| Handlebars - Flobots | 3:27 |
| No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature The Guess Who | 4:53 |
| Total Running Time: | 31:48 |
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Note: All links will open in iTunes and some songs may be explicit
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On the food front, I did pretty good, considering I was totally unprepared for my all day meeting. Not only did I forget my snacks I forgot my phone. THAT’S how hectic our morning was!
I’m going to post the food journal now but I MAY have a snack before bed, because that’s how I roll. :~) Oh and with this long (unexpected) post today and a morning meeting tomorrow I’m not sure my regular scheduled features are going to happen this week. I started the question of the week but I’m nowhere near ready to post a crazy Thursday Thoughts post, they normally take me a few hours and I just don’t have them this week. OK, I need to get going….
| Food | Units |
|---|---|
| cereal with banana, strawberries and vanilla soy milk | 5 |
| snuck some dried berries into my all day training class – thank god! | 2 |
| couldn’t help myself… snuck some chocolate! | 1 |
| lunch break! grilled chicken, broccoli, black bean soup and a few fries from the husbands plate | 8 |
| sunflower seeds | 3 |
| "creamy" pasta primavera (working on recipe for GLB) with grapes for dessert | 6 |
| Activity: 2 mile run | -2 |
| Total: | 23 |
Table provided by Roni’s Food Tweet, Eat, Post Generator.
20 Responses to There Really Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day! (but there ARE too many things in this post)
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
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I know what you mean! I think its VERY hard to get everything done that we want to. If it were up to me, I’d spend all day in the kitchen!
Glad you got your run in and ME time – that’s sometimes the most important!
Paralyzer and The distance are great running songs! I love to blast my music, although I do worry that it is not the safest habit, as I have no idea what is going on around me.
Have a great night! I can’t wait to find out about Food Network! good luck!!
Wow, you should be so proud of yourself–that you would go out and run after all that is really admirable! Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences in the midst of all the craziness!
Check out Es last blog post..Food insecurity: Kids lighten up when their parents light up
How are you running at night? Since daylight savings time ended, it’s dark when I leave work, so I am stuck on the treadmill now How to do you feel safe running at night alone, with headphones no less?
wow i just wrote a little blurb about stress and then just read this, and if i were you, i’d be very stressed! but you seem to be handling it really well, considering how many things u have to do!! i can’t imagine life becoming a mommy. its something i look forward to, yet also makes me cherish these “me” years because i know (probably) it will come some day and life will change DRASTICALLY pretty much forever! lol!
Check out Madison (FollowMyWeigh)s last blog post..whats unhealthier – stress or junk food?
You really need a weekend at a spa. But I know it is hard to give up time to do stuff just for you…I am met with that problem all the time. Good job on getting in your run. I know that there is less daylight these days and that ha stopped the husband and I from walking two evenings in a row. It is just to cold and dark by the time we finish dinner and are ready to walk.
Hopefully this weekend you can sit back and relax while you are in Chicago. It is time just for you to have fun.
Check out Christys last blog post..***CONTEST***
Ashley – I’m lucky enough to live in a nice neighborhood with sidewalks. I get a little freaked out but, honestly, there were still quite a few people out an about putting garbage out and stuff. It’s pretty well lit and only residential.
Try Honesty by Billy Talent is a fantastic running song. They’re a canadian punk band, and I really like all their stuff, but Try Honesty has a great tempo and makes you want to keep up with the beat.
I’ve actually found that a lot of punk songs work out well for a running mix, the faster tempo helps a lot.
And the new ipods are so hawt! If only Apple would allow you to give out some of those.
I only have one as well and often wonder how moms with more do it. My day starts at 5:15 and ends about 9:15 for wind down time. Some days are crazier than others but I always collapse into bed. Makes me feel great about myself though.
I agree with Kelly…you should see if Apple will let you give out some iPods :-)
I agree with Kelly…you should see if Apple will let you give out some iPods :-)
Check out Christys last blog post..***CONTEST***
You’re doing a great job Roni, truly. I bet you can get more things sorted out in your head during that run that can help you manage the rest of your demanding life, than just burning calories. Thanks for the reminder about that part :-)
Roni–
It is frustrating and stressful to try to fit everything in. I have not been exercising regularly for quite awhile. In looking back to evaluate why my exercise programs fail, it seems to me, when I try to do everything “right” (weight training 3x per week, cardio 5x per week, etc.) that my exercise routines just become too time consuming, my house falls apart, I don’t have time to spend with my family. I end up overwhelmed and frustrated and then give up exercising completely and end up doing nothing. I am getting motivated to try exercising again and have been putting a lot of thought into what I can realisitcally fit into my schedule. The problem is, when you listen to the “experts” the time I can afford to give to exercise is just not enough. I like your attitude of doing what you can and I am hoping my perfectionist personality is able to embrace that attitude without my feeling that it’s not good enough.
It is helpful to know that so many people are in the same time-crunch boat! And, as always, you are a great motivator!
Life is busy! I am right there with you Roni. Some days I can’t take it….I can’t say no. I am active in my church, I have a full time job, I teach Sunday school, I coach a running group and belong to 2 other running groups, am a wife, have a house to clean, food to cook, and have my workouts I need to get in, not to mention lots of other things. But, life is about priorities. I would rather be busy than not. And I love what I do.
Check out KK (Running Through Life)s last blog post..Why are you getting healthy?
Feel just like this big time lately and I have no toddler so I can only imagine how busy you are in comparison!!!
Check out crazyladys last blog post..Stress, control and letting it all go
you inspire all of us mommies who are trying to keep up and stay healthy
Roni, totally random question…isn’t there a place on this site where I can look at and purchase some of the foods that you often buy? I live west of the Mississippi and I really want to buy the Arnold’s sandwhich Thins. I remember navigating to a page that showed how to purchase some of the things you regularly buy. Could you link me to that page or tell me how to get there?
Bethany…. IT’s on GreenLiteBites…. http://greenlitebites.com/the-glb-store/
Hope that helps!
“It’s all a matter of what’s important to you and what you make non-negotiable. ” Exactly! There are days when you feel the magic and everything falls in to place and gets done. More often, not so much. Some days you just have to listen to your heart and do what “feels” right then! Sieze the moment, whatever it is. Opportune weather, some unplanned spare time, an extra pair of hands to help….take advantage of whatever you can! And, stop worrying about the things you didn’t get to. They’ll be there tomorrow. LOL (I know, sometimes that’s the problem. But, the world won’t stop if that laundry doesn’t get folded tonight. Or even tomorrow night.)
By the way Roni, I loved your calling yourself and “interested person!” I think that’s me too! I find way more things I love to do than there is time in a day as well. If only I had a housekeeper….sigh. LOL