Busy Makes For Odd Choices, It Seems

I've been very busy this month...busy to the point where grocery shopping is not happening on a frequent basis.  I've neglected my meal planning, and really, I've thrown the calorie awareness to the wind.  I've been getting all judge-y and feeling guilty, when I dawned on me that despite my utter lack of a master plan, I've been sticking with fairly healthy choices, and I'm okay.

I'm just fine.  You know who isn't fine with all this busyness?  The kids.  They are sick of me working, sick of the back of my head and the tap-tap-tapping of the keyboard.  We've been cutting out of here for a few hours each day, swimming at the pool, playing in the park, seeing a movie or just doing errands, but we've been At Home for much of this month.  This isn't exactly how I pictured summer, but then again - I don't recall my parents planning fun-filled days of adult-led exploration and adventure.  No, they put us in swimsuits and terrycloth shorts-sets and sent us out into the backyard.  Or sent us to the pool with a pack of our friends. We rode our bikes and made up clubs and spent the summer with our siblings and our peers. 

These kids of mine are outside digging in the dirt as I speak, pretending to be archeologists digging up artifacts from long ago.  They are filthy.  I am biting back the urge to hose them down just yet - they are having fun, and I'm getting some much needed time to blog.

As I get ready for this weekend's Wii party (more on that next week) and next week's trip to BlogHer, I glance at the calendar and realize that summer is almost gone.  The kids are back in school in less than a month.  Why are the days slipping by so fast?

It is funny...every day while I do my DVD workout, I know it so well that I don't have to listen much anymore.  My brain wanders, and I find myself laughing about an earlier conversation, going over my list of tasks still undone, planning dinner.  As the sweat starts to drip down my back, I lose myself in the motion, and it becomes a meditation.  I've been very active, many times in my life, but I cannot ever recall finding it a peaceful experience, until now.

Even with the peppy music, and the speed of my limbs, I become very introspective as I plow through the workout.  It has become MY time.  An hour a day where I can get my heart-rate pumping, yes - but more than that, it is a time when the busyness stops.  It releases stress, and I feel fantastic when I hit the eject button at the end.  I've started to look forward to that hour, and I find that I will make the time, even when there are more pressing issues at hand.  What a trip, huh?

Even the kids respect "The Hour."  They will pop in and out, joining in for a few bursts of walking or quietly watching from the couch.  They know that once I get going, I'm going to be nicer, more patient, and generally happier.  It  has made a huge difference for all of us.

I wish I could say that I've been as affected by the desire to eat healthy foods.  I'm not.  I still crave things that I'm not supposed to crave, and eat portions larger than strictly necessary.  All in good time.

All in good time.

Comments

[steph]

That "me" time is so important----I am so glad that you found some.
I find when I run in the morning that I am able to solve the world's problems, and I feel so much better---but getting the motivation to just do it is still a daily battle.

[Missy]

Jenny, I am interested in what DVD you use? I have a hard time finding an exercise DVD that isn't so sappy it irritates me...anyway, congrats on getting the workout into your routine! I have never been very good at that and I admire it. You are well on your way! You are inspiring me to start something every day -- I know I'll enjoy it, it's just so hard to do. Don't worry, that muscle will burn those calories off, just give it time...

[Cindy]

My kids always get a bit more cranky and demanding when I spend too much time being "busy." Your DVD sounds great. I need to try working out with a DVD while they are in the family room. They just might jump in on the fun.
Cindy