Thursday, June 3, 2010

Working (Out) Mom

It's not easy being a full-time working mom with two kids. But to be a full-time working mom trying to lose 40 pounds by her 40th birthday finding time to attend weekly Weight Watchers meetings while also working out at the gym at least four nights a week, chronicling it all in a blog, well it's darned near impossible.

That's why I'm pleased to report that this week I lost another two pounds, bringing my total weight loss to 22.5 pounds!

I'm writing this blog during the very brief break I have while my husband goes to the store to get some items for his last day of work for this year's school year.  He teaches a 4th/5th grade combo class and he's doing his annual all-nighter finishing up report cards. The only time I get to work on this blog is the amount of time it takes him to drive down the hill to Raley's and then to Starbuck's to get gifts for the parents who helped out in his class this year.

While I write this week's blog, our son Will is writing thank you notes to his teacher and the two daycare ladies who have watched him every day after school since he's been in Kindergarten. He's also writing his final thank you note for his birthday gifts, this one to my dad and his wife, Debbie.  I'm doing my best to crank out this week's blog with constant interruptions, like....

Will: How do you spell terrific? It is T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C?
Me: Yes

This week was extra challenging to get to the gym.  But I'm pleased to say I was able to four times, despite my son's baseball game that went into extra innings (sooooo exciting!) and an evening my husband spent at the Giants Game, which resulted in me hauling the kids to the gym so they could play in the daycare room while I got a workout in.

Will: I wrote a B when I meant to write a D. Does it look like a D?
Me: They're not going to care."

Will: How do you spell Debbie?
Me: D-E-B-B-I-E

I kicked my workouts up a bit this week and tried to vary my routine a bit to keep my body guessing, hoping the uncertainty would kick up my metabolism. Each day I did my usual 33 minute workout on the elliptical machine, but kicked it up on the level so by tonight I was on Level 10. (Oh no, my husband just got home, I'll have to hurry this up so he can get back on the computer.) On top of that, one night I did the treadmill, running 10 minutes and walking quickly on a steep incline for 5 minutes.The other three workouts I did the recumbant bicycle on Level 10 on the random hill setting (NOT easy). The worst is when the bicycle pauses for you when you're having trouble keeping up. It makes you feel like such a failure.

Me: Will, you also need to write the envelopes for Mrs. Wida, Teresita and Leslie.
Will: Why do I have to write envelopes?
Me: Because it's nice.

Will: How do you spell Leslie?
Me: L-E-S-L-I-E
Will: Ah, man, I spelled it wrong in the card! I wrote L-E-S-L-A-L-I-E.
Me: Just cross it out and fix it.

The great thing about working out is I get to add Weight Watchers points to my daily diet, which you can use to eat more each day or bank and add to your weekly 35 bonus points. The duration and intentisy of my workouts earns me 3 extra points each time I work out. So far, this week, I already have 9 bonus points banked. That may come in handy given that I'm working the canteen this Saturday for my son's Little League Game. I'm worried about the endless supply of nachos I'll be in charge of during my shift. You know how much I love nachos!

Will: Mommy, I'm done.
Me: Ok, go brush your teeth.

Will: Are you going to tuck me in?
Me: When I'm done with this.
Will: Okay

Well, both my son and my husband have been patient enough waiting for me to finish this, so I'll close with this week's picture of me, taken by my son while my husband was doing report cards. 


Until next week,
Jen

2 comments:

  1. Jen, you sound like you are doing majorly high intensity workouts! How is that still only three bonus points?! You are a machine, girl!

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  2. I know, it seems very unfair, but I'd rather play it safe than sorry and only claim 3 bonus points. How's your weight loss going? I thought of you because Benicia Health and Fitness has a sign on their door and they need members to volunteer to participate in the Benicia 4th of July parade. They want people to Zumba down First Street. It almost makes me want to learn Zumba just for the fun story to tell. But, I think I'll pass. If you were stil here, though...

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