For Christians like myself, the season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the season of prayer and penance. In the past, I have given up sweets, rice, chocolates, swearing, and frivolous spending at my local Walgreens. This year, I had considered fasting, but I love to eat. So, I thought long and hard, and I realized that I’ve been lazy about physical activity.
I need to give up laziness.
Since my daughter, Ilse, was born, I just don’t get the daily physical activity that I used to. During my maternity leave, we at least took daily walks to our local Mollie Stones or Whole Foods. Once I returned to work, our daily schedule dictated how I spent my time.
I convinced myself that there was not enough time to exercise and that eating better would be good enough. Unfortunately, eating better (and sleeping nearly seven hours every night) has not been enough. My clothes are a little tighter, and my energy level is fueled by coffee. Plenty of other working parents are able to fit in exercise, why can’t I?
It’s time for me to stop making excuses, stop lounging on my sofa after dinner, and start sweating.
The goal for me is to feel better, have more energy, and bulge less in my clothes. While I have come to accept my post-baby body, with my newfound hips and larger breasts, (though my pre-baby breasts were big enough) I would like slimmer arms and a more toned belly. I want to demonstrate to Ilse that part of feeling beautiful and accepting oneself is taking care of our bodies.
For moral support, I have included my husband on this journey, so we can do it together.
Over the next forty days of Lent, I am committing to doing some physical activity at least three times a week. Some of my favorite experiences from my business trips or any “me” time I have taken have been those times when I spent hours walking in a city or running on treadmill at my hotel’s gym. When I am more physically active, I have more energy, more clarity of thought, and my clothes just fit better.
Like my “30 Days of Thanks” post, I will be tracking my progress, and I’ll share my results with all of you after the forty days are over. I am looking forward to this journey, and, of course, the end result of the project. Time to start moving!
