(Max is one month old)
"...I can't start working out yet, I just had a C-section mere WEEKS ago! Shame on you! I will take a Fig Newton, though. Third shelf in the pantry."
(Max is three months old)
"...I can't start working out yet, I'm in over my head just trying to brush my teeth!!!"
(Max is five months old)
"...I can't start working out yet.......it's.....too cold outside, and.......he's.......teething.....? Ok and, and, Aquarius is in the fifth lunar house this month and that's bad luck. You don't want me to break my back, do you??? I didn't think so." (Eats a chip)
(Max is six months old)
"....I can't start working out yet....The gym is such a schlep. Hey maybe if we had a treadmill HERE IN THE HOUSE! Yes!....... Let's look into that. Sometime."
(Max is seven months old)
"Jesuswhathappenedtomybody?"
A little over a month ago, a mommy friend of mine told me about Stroller Strides, an exercise program for moms and their little ones that involves working out while pushing your kid in his stroller. I loved the idea of having Max by my side while I got my sweat on. Admittedly though, I envisioned a bunch of us new moms, trotting around with our ponytails swinging in unison, our grande iced skinny vanilla lattes resting perfectly in our stroller cup holders while analyzing the latest Bachelor Pad. It sounded a little cliche, a little sugary, but also another excuse to get the deuce out of my house with my kid. So I decided to join this 'Stroller Strides'.
Let me assure you: there is no strolling involved.
The hour-long class typically consists of 70% cardio and 20% conditioning/strength training. Yes, I passed MAT110 - the remaining 10% is always reserved for wheezing and whining. But I never feel better than when Max and I are walking back to the car after having given it my all. We've been going three days a week, and I am very excited to report that I'm starting to notice the very beginning of what some might refer to as - in some cultures - perhaps in a mis-printed anatomy book - calf muscles. Also, I have more energy, which comes in mighty handy when our 3-4pm "witching hour" ensues and I'm skull-deep into the empty jar of instant coffee, licking the glass bottom for any remaining grounds.
It has also proven to be anything but ponytail-swinging, latte-swigging gossip sessions. I have met some wonderful women who share the bond of parenthood. We can talk all about solid foods and reaching milestones, or not. Surprisingly (and yes, I'll say it- refreshingly), Stroller Strides is hardly about the strollers; it's all about the strides. The babies, entertained by their sippy cups, fresh air, toys, and change of scenery, are pretty much the footnote of our workouts (though I'll admit, while running up six flights of parking garage stairs, I have silently begged Max to pull out a screaming fit and "need" me for three minutes). Most of us moms greet each other, maybe pop our heads into the strollers for a quick, "aww, don't you look cute today! Looks like you LOVE those crackers!", then resume the focus and discipline of an olympic athlete before the gun shot.
Ok, maybe that last part's in my head. Whatever gets you through, right?
Some of my favorite workout quotes:
My grin is hurting. I love this stuff!!!!
ReplyDeleteGetting addicted. And where did you get the jokes?
Need some for my file. Oh, my Zumba queens would love it too!
Your writing is so very, very enjoyable even an old floozie can totally dunk her entire self in your world and come out feeling like she's got a piece of that world as her very own (and be better for it!) You rock as a writer (and mother too!)