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JoJoGee
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Self Care Check-in
JoJoGee
member
Last week's challenge was a 'create your own.' What did you do to take care of yourself this past week?
This week's challenge: Exercise at least 3 times (30 minutes each time).
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Self Care Check-in
Well, I made a blanket fort and a homemade meal for DH and I on Thursday. But, as much fun as that was, I don't feel like I got any "me time." Then, I took a look at my schedule for the next month, and realized I probably won't get any "me time." for a long time. Then, I had a breakdown at work yesterday. It's been lovely...
I'm hoping the exercise will subdue my anxiety about this month, and Lily's upcoming scope.
I read these Self-Care check-ins and I don't know how you ladies find the time. Granted, my husband is less than hands on with DD (not to mention that she won't eat for him at all), and finding even a few moments to poop is sometimes a challenge.
How do you work out time? The only "me" time I get is while DD is napping on the weekends, and even then I'm doing things like laundry and cleaning up. During the week there is no such thing as "me" time. I'm going BSC and starting to have major anger flare ups.
The holidays suck any free time we have this month. I have failed miserably at self care lately. I will gladly accept your challenge this week! My plan is 30 minute walks on the treadmill during nap time.
My husband and I are going to schedule and book babysitters for 3 movie dates in the next couple of months. Also, I have a membership to a massage place. They automatically charge me for a massage each month. Unused massages roll over to the next month. You guys, I have 6 massages stored up and already paid for. SIX! I am calling today to schedule every single unused credit, and then I am canceling my membership lol. Clearly, I'm not using it. I'd rather spend the money on new clothes for myself or something.
That sounds amazing!
I can do three 30 minute walks this week with the kids, they would love it.
Two Mommies Healing Hearts
Dixie,
I will be the first to admit there are some perks about having a medically fragile child. We have 106 hours of in-home care nursing. That's 8 hours a night, every night of the week, 40 hours for the work week, and 10 extra hours to do as we like. Now, I work 45 minutes away from my home, so the majority of those 10 extra hours go to commuting. But, I have flexible work hours, and between the nursing and flexible work schedule, I am able to squeeze out a couple of hours here and there.
However, as I often find my extra hours go to working at home, let me tell you where I find some extra time for myself...
1) Naps... I have a pile of laundry in my bedroom that was started 3 weeks ago. And, yes, my house is messy. But, it's clean enough. Sometimes, you have to let less important things slide. If it bothers your H, then he can clean.
2) After DD goes to sleep... DD goes to sleep around 9. Our night nurse don't get to the house until 11pm. DH and I switch off staying up so 3 to 4 nights out of the week I have 2 extra hours to do something.
3) Early morning... Okay, this one is tricky. Most mornings, I have to be awake and ready to go by 7am. For me this is early (between going to bed at 11am and being ready for the day at 7am, I really only get about 7 - 6.5 hours of sleep). And, most days DD wakes up at 7am. But, there are rare occasions, like today, that DD sleeps in.
4) DH - If your H isn't hands-on with your DD, then you need to sit down with him and have a serious discussion about how that is affecting you, and the family. Your the only one your DD eats with, fine, find time for yourself in-between feeds and leave yoru DD with your H. He'll learn how to cope.
Don't get me wrong, I know it can be hard to find time for yourself... I have the perpensity to give all of my time to others... but at some point, you just have to do it. Up until 2 months ago, my DH hadn't spent more than 2 hours alone with our DD. Until last month, he had never driven solo with her. And, it still terrifies him to feed her. And, it's not that he doesn't love DD or that he doesn't want to be involved, it's just that he's scared - he's afriad she'll throw up and aspirate; he's afriad to go to the restroom beacuse she may pull out her trach; he's just afraid of the "what if's." But, he's getting better, and so am I. I try to remind myself that I'm not superwomen - that I don't have to do it all, be it all. And, he tries to step out of his comfort zone - he knows that I need a break, and that our daughter needs a father - and he tries to overcome his fears. It takes time, and a lot of negotiation... but I belive you can live a balanced life if you and your partner decide you are "in this together."
I'm so crunched for time right now, it's no fun. My PT WAH job is really upping the expectations, but I can only fit so much in to 4 hours a day.
I did exercise twice last week (which was a huge improvement over 0 times) and already got in one workout yesterday. I'm really determined to get back in shape, I feel so much better when I am. Hopefully I'll get to three workouts this week!
On the other hand, I am getting lots of retail therapy, i.e., shopping for Christmas gifts.
DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
I can do this one ... mainly b/c I already exercise almost daily!
Let me quickly share the why's and how's of it to encourage you all. I dabbled in exercise on and off for a few years, needed to lose that extra 20lbs from the pregnancy years, but nothing ever worked .. mainly b/c I didn't stick with anything long enough. Then last January my lovely psychiatrist said "If I could write you a persription to exercise I would. It is so important for your mental health." Around that time a friend said she was going to do a couch to 5K type training program and was I interested? Well, while I hated the thought of running, I loved the challenge. We did and I've since ran 2 5K races and fell in love with running. It was only 3-4 times a week and I have times when both kiddos were in school. ALso, DH loved teh weight loss and positive attitude so helped me carve out time to run in the afternoon/evening when he was home.
Fast forward to the summer and I had to stop running. I developed a blister/callous on my right foot that bled when I ran. I bought expensive shoes and stopped running to let it heal. Once again I did a little of this, a little of that but the weight loss stopped.
Early Fall psych and I decided it was finally time for me to start meds. The endorphin rush from running was gone, the weight loss had ended, and I was not a happy camper, a good wife or a good mummy to my 2 SN boys. Psych remided me that excersise was even more important now to combat any waight gain on anti-depressants.
These days I am following a program I found most of the videos for on YouTube and I love it. I am also working fulltime, that I wasn't earlier in the year. So when do I find the time? Early in the morning, like 5 - 5:!5 (shudder) or after the kiddos are in bed. Sometimes after dh gets home, but that is about dinner time.
It took a long time for me to get to this stage, but I know it is good for my physical and mental health. And if it helps me feel better about myslef, and be a better wife & mom, then it's worth getting up so early.
Hope this helps encourage someone to make the time to get the endorphins flowing