It’s time for the Faria family to take a good long look at ourselves in the face (and butt). We have let ourselves go. WE HAVE LET OURSELVES GO. There, I’ve said it (loudly, because capital letters means loud on the internet).
As you know, I have an 11 month old baby. The past 11 months have been amazing in many ways. But in one way they have not been amazing at all, and that would be in terms of our physical fitness as a family.
I’ll point the magnifying glass at myself first (although, if I tried that in the sun it might burn my eyes out? I feel like it might). Anyway, I have deteriorated significantly this year, and there’s no getting around it. My arms, my stomach, my hair, all of it.
Now I’m not looking for any pep talks with this proclamation. Picasso had his Blue Period. I am having my Pudge Period. There could be benefits to remaining in the Pudge Period; that way, when people are reviewing the panorama of my life, they will be able to state with confidence: “During her Pudge Period, Liz created {insert great works here}.” Anything else might just welcome confusion into my life story.
What I’m looking for is advice as to whether or not it’s even remotely worth it for me to try to rectify the situation given the fact that we’d like to try for more kids soon-ish. I’m doing a cost/benefit analysis.
This is how I’m seeing it: It will take me at least 2-3 months to get back into even decent shape. 3-4 months if I want to get into good shape. I’d like to be in shape because I enjoy things like running in road races, and walking past store fronts without seeing my arms sway in the wind. The problem is, by the time I (hypothetically) get into shape, I will have to throw it all down the drain if I get pregnant. And that doesn’t seem really worth it to me, you know?
When I was pregnant with Nolan I think I managed to run/walk at the gym about 4 times before I downgraded to the elliptical on zero resistance, before I downgraded to walking around Target. And that is where I’ve remained.
(Note: I know there are some of you out there who are able to exercise right through pregnancy – I’ve seen you leaving yoga classes, so I know you exist. But I am NOT that pregnant lady. Not at all. The second I become visibly pregnant I burn my gym clothes).
Recently I discussed this with my sister:
Me: “It’s just hard, you know? But I’m doing my best.”
Sister: “What are you talking about? You’re not doing anything even close to your best.”
Me: “Oh yeah, you’re right. I’m not sure why I said that!”
And then there’s Nolan.
If you want to know how you really look, wander into a Kindergarten classroom and just stand there for a few minutes. You will get decisive feedback.
Now even beyond the verbal proclamations of a poor physique, Nolan feels attacked in print as well. I offer you this “expert opinion”:
“Experts believe chubbier babies crawl later since it’s harder to push up onto all fours and drag their extra body weight.”
Well, I don’t think I have to tell you that that sentence was like a slap in the face to Nolan. As you are aware, Nolan has been battling the bulge for some time. Yes, he is now slimming down due to a combination of very late-blooming army-crawling and aggressive “floor dancing,” but in his soul he still feels chunky. It’s part of his psyche, now.
Aggressive Floor Dancing Workout:
Nolan’s confidence also took a hit when he was referred to on Facebook as a “lackadaisical observer type” by a blog reader. Ouch, he said. Ouch.
So here’s the question Nolan and I pose to you, readers: should we even try? Should we try to find our fitness or should we just allow that we are going to remain as lackadaisical observer types for the foreseeable future? And also, should I attempt my own floor dancing routine, so that we can do a mother-son show for guests? These are the big questions.
[…] note, I bought a treadmill! Some of you might recall that a few months ago I wrote post called The Battle of the Bulge questioning if it was really worth it to try to get in shape when we want to have more kids and I […]