Adventures in exercising

Last Christmas, Lilly took it upon herself to do some Tae-bo.

I used to love exercising. I would wake up early to hit the gym before work. I rode my exercise bike when I got home from work. My husband and I would bond over a romantic Tae-bo workout.

Then we had kids...

And everything changed.

It's not that I hate exercise now, it's just that, well... it's a lot different than it used to be. I used to be able to head to the gym and my only concern was whether or not my iPod was charged. The only creature I was responsible for keeping alive was my cat, and she was a-ok with being left at home while I worked out.

These days, I'm lucky if I can shower before noon, let alone exercise.

I have been telling myself for months that I need to get out of this rut and get back in shape. I dusted off the ol' exercise bike. I blew up my exercise ball. I was pumped. I tried... really, I did. I know, I know... excuses, excuses. But hear me out!

I always start out with great intentions. I make sure the little ladies are settled in before my workout. I feed them, clean them (for the most part) and get them focused on something that can (hopefully) hold their attention for at least thirty minutes. All seems to be going well. I'm going to do this! I am going to jump and sweat and be awesome! I will kick all of the butt!

And then I get started.

I like to take things slowly, you know. I sneak over to the exercise bike and very discreetly (wouldn't want to cause a scene, after all) start pedaling. It takes twenty seconds (maybe thirty, if I'm lucky) before all eyes are on me.

Suddenly, Addie is starving. Oh, did I mention that she just let loose the mother of all bowel movements? Because she did. And it's leaking out.

Oh, and Lilly. Well, Lilly is now in desperate need of some Mama cuddle time. Hold me tight, Mommy! NO! In your lap! NO! On the bike in your lap!

Yup. That's usually how that goes.

Oh, but wait! There's more!

Some days I like to shake things up a bit and break out my beloved exercise ball.

I usually put Addie in her exercauser before I get started with this one, because, well, rolling over and crushing a baby isn't normally part of the routine.

I pop in the DVD, take a deep breath, and prepare to bounce my way to weight loss success. Things go much better with this one. I can usually bust out a good four to five minutes before my children turn on me.

Addie gets the party started with a few blood-curdling screams. Lilly, meanwhile, is standing next to me, begging for my attention.

Lilly loves my exercise ball. In fact, she loves it so much that she has to pry it out from under me in the middle of my stability exercises. Ooh! We can share ball, Mommy! And when I try to do the floorwork, well, that's her cue to run circles haphazardly around me, nearly crushing my skull with every one of her dainty falls.

Some days, I finish... most days, I don't.

But, I've decided that it's time for a change. I want need to be healthy for myself and my family. I know I can't make the girls understand that, so, it's time to get creative. I think I'm going to have to start waking up earlier to squeeze in some kid-free exercise time.

Waking up earlier doesn't sound too appealing, especially considering the fact that I have a baby that still nurses around the clock... especially in the middle of the night.

But I know, as much as it may suck in the beginning, it will get easier... and it will be worth it.

Right? Right?!