Before my children were born I would drag myself to the gym.  I always felt great when I was done but it was hard to get motivated to go.  When I became pregnant the first time I was about 10 pounds heavier then I should be.  I eventually went

back to that weight before I became pregnant with #2.  After # 2 I just was not losing the weight.  It did not matter how much or what I ate, the scale was not moving.  I needed the exercise and desperately.  I just could not get myself motivated to go outside to walk or run when it is as cold (or hot and humid) as it can be around here.  I was stuck at 16 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight which was just too high to begin with.

There is a new gym in my area called Planet Fitness.  It is very affordable.  At $10 a month it is a price I can justify.  There are many people of all different fitness levels that are at this gym.  It made me comfortable to see that I was not the only one that could not squeeze into a teeny little work out outfit.  They have a lot of locations across the country but if there is not one in your area ask around.  There are a lot of similar gyms.

I greatly miss being at work.  I love my children and I am happy to be here for them but I miss having that time with other adults.  I miss being able to be me.  To actually be thanked for a job well done.  Before joining the gym I would occasionally escape on a shopping trip.  The whole time I was out I would feel guilty.  I would think about the time and money I was wasting.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the occasional shopping trip, it just wasn't the best way for me to relax.

When I go to the gym it is my time.  I do not feel guilty because I am doing something good for my family while I am there.  Mentally, I come home feeling a lot better.  It is making me healthier for my children.  You can never have enough energy when you have children in the home.  I am also getting myself in shape for my husband.  What man (or woman) would not enjoy a more shapely spouse?

If you do not have a gym in your area or you can not afford it go for a walk or a run.  I prefer my temperature controlled gym but now that I know how happy I am when I exercise I would  never again use the weather as my excuse to not go out as I have in the past.

You do not have to be fit to go to a gym.  You do not have to be able to keep up with the pace of the person on the treadmill next to you.  You just need to go and do your best.  You may not even lose weight right away.  I did not see any difference in the scale right away.  I did however feel better after just a couple trips.  I aim to go every other day but that does not always work out.  Only 2 weeks after I started I put my hand on my side and I was shocked to feel that it felt different.  I did not see that difference in the mirror yet but it was without a doubt happening.  The pounds were not falling off but there was as change.  The baby fat was going away and the muscle was coming back.   From there the changes kept coming.  Those real tight jeans are not  feeling quite so small anymore.  The pounds start to come off.   I still have a way to go to reach my ideal weight.  It is something I really can look forward to.

It is okay to say you deserve it.  We all need a break.  Exercise is my guilt free escape.