Working On My Fitness

Last week I signed up for Stroller Strides, an exercise class for people with strollers. Usually moms, although I don’t think anyone would object to a dog or a cat or a pet hedgehog in a stroller as long as it stayed buckled in. The classes are held four times a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – either at the park or at the mall when the weather is bad. I joined because it’s time to buckle down and lose this baby weight. I’m taking it really seriously this time. I’m dedicated to attending class at least three times a week. It’s important for my health, my happiness, my self-esteem and also I paid for a membership plus a month of classes so the only way it’s worth it financially is if I actually show up. I’m counting on my cheapness as motivation.

My first class was last Thursday. Our instructor, Amy, was cheerful and bouncy and peppy and all those awful things good exercise instructors always are. Half way through I was tempted to drown her by throwing her in the lake but she’d probably make all of us join her and swim laps while singing “Baby Beluga”. Blerg. Anyways, class kicked my frickin’ butt and I should have spent the next day lying on the couch complaining and being a giant baby about my poor, sore legs and imagining ways to pay Amy back for the pain. I’m sure Google has some ideas under “crazy satanic exercise woman who clearly hates children and happiness”.

Unfortunately, we had company this weekend so I had to Do Stuff. Wait, that came out wrong. FORTUNATELY, E’s sister Kristi came to visit for a few days so she could meet her nephew for the first time. The unfortunate part is lying on the couch begging someone to bring me Diet Coke and ice cream sandwiches isn’t very exciting for anyone else, so we went and Did Stuff. After Baby Evan’s appointment we headed out to show Kristi a good time, parents of a 6 month old style. So not really the “good time” most people would imagine…but we did go to Mystic Pizza! And to the aquarium! Penguins! Whales! Sea lions! The permeating stench of fish and bird poop! And because I’m one of those crazy attachment parenting people I wore Baby Evan in the mai tei carrier the whole time instead of using the perfectly good stroller like EVERY OTHER PERSON at Mystic Aquarium. Ok, so, sure it meant he could see stuff and interact with E and Kristi and maybe get some mental stimulation and boring junk like that…but DUDE. MY LEGS. And my arms and back and feet and oh em gee why did I join that torture program? So what if my butt never fits on a bike seat again? I DIDN’T LIKE BIKING ANYWAY.

The moral of this story is when you’re totally exhausted from your first real workout in more than a year and dragging a 6 month old around all day, it’s OK to let your husband get up with the baby the next morning. It’s also OK to admit said baby isn’t going to make it through an afternoon of wine tasting and shopping the next day and opt out in favor of naps. I may not win the Martha Stewart Hostess of the Year Award by skipping out of family time with my sister-in-law (and depriving her of PRECIOUS SECONDS OF BABY HOLDING) but I think in the greater scheme of things keeping my sore, sleep deprived self and an exhausted, cranky child away from the general public wins me a Decent Human Being Award. Eardrums of Eastern Connecticut, you’re welcome.

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8 Responses to “Working On My Fitness”

  1. lalaland13 says:

    Wait, so Amy was making you do exercises that involved a stroller? The name of the class is confusing me.

    Fitness instructors are all bitches. All of them. I can’t afford a fitness class, but I did 30-Day Shred twice last week (after stopping for oh, a few months) and it killed me and I was cursing at the screen and trying not to look at it because I hated those women so much.

    I haven’t done it yet this week. I need to. I don’t really expect to lose weight, but it makes me feel better. Damn it.

  2. bebehblog says:

    The class is called Stroller Strides because it’s all moms with kids in strollers. We actually did do some exercises that involved the strollers although most of the time we line all the babies up in a row and jump up and down for their amusement.
    Is 30 day shred Jillian’s DVD? Because I would be too scared of her to curse, even through the tv.

  3. AGreenEyeDevil says:

    This Shizapoo mom with her PEPTO PINK puppeh stroller would luv that program!

  4. lalaland13 says:

    Yeah, it’s Jillian Michaels. She’s not nearly as scary as she seems on Biggest Loser. Which I have never managed to watch.

    She’s still “You have to fight for it! No quitting! Pain is fear leaving the body.” Which is terribly annoying, especially considering sometimes pain just hurts.

  5. Priscila says:

    Wow! Good for you on starting to workout again. My baby is 5 months old and I only JUST joined 24-hr Fitness so I could take off the baby weight once and for all. I’ve been going for almost two weeks already, and I actually love it. I take my little Olivia to be watched by her grandma (my mom) and I go to the gym. I think I make the most of the time because it’s the only ME time I get at all. I was so sore and tired when I just barely started, it was ridiculous. But now after 2 weeks I’m feeling way more energetic and just all around good. I don’t look any different yet, but I know that’s coming.

    Good luck to you on accomplishing your fitness goals!

  6. “crazy satanic exercise woman who clearly hates children and happiness”

    I am pretty sure if you DID google this, you’d get Jillian. She is a maniac. And Lala, I usually just yell back at her. I find it diminishes the pain somewhat.

  7. FourInchHeels says:

    I have a cousin who I completely adore, but there’s always been a little something nagging that bugged me about her. We were chatting at a reunion this summer and I learned she owns an exercise studio franchise.

    That’s when I put my finger on it – she’s an aerobics instructor. Too perky to be not medically-induced.

  8. Erin says:

    I’ve been wanting to do this class also. You should tell me all the details (so I can warn my various muscles about the pain to come).

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