Just Sayin’

Here we go! A brand-new year. Let’s talk fitness. Are you in a working-out slump? I get it. I just got out of a very long (years long) slump and I want to offer encouragement.

Before I had kids, working out was just a part of my life. It was built into my schedule. My husband and I would meet up at the gym at 5:30 every weeknight, then grab dinner and go about our evening. It’s just what we did! Then I got pregnant, and while I wanted to be that mom rockin’ the baby bump on the treadmill ’til my due date, I was not. I was nauseated 24/7 for nine months and the only thing I was rockin’ was my couch and McDonalds. Oh, how I craved it. I know. Nausea, greasy food; it made no sense to me either, but I did not deny myself!

So, I thought I’d start working out after I had my daughter. But that didn’t happen either. Two years later, I was blessed with pregnancy #2 and delivered my son. I figured I’d start working out then. But, nope.

Now, it’s not as though I haven’t been getting my steps in! I feel like I have been in perpetual motion since 2010. But here we are eight years later and I only just started an actual, real-life, daily, purposeful workout. Me time. It’s been so long, I think my body went into shock for the first several days.

But, can I just tell you how good I feel? I feel strong again. I have more energy. And I think one of the things I’m enjoying the most is the act of doing something specifically for myself. I always put everyone else first. I have learned that it is okay to take care of myself. In fact, I think I’m better to everyone around me because of it. I also suffer from anxiety; I completely forgot how much working out helps with that!

It is so hard to get up and get going for that first workout. I was actually mad about it. That sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. But, as I keep going and really make it a part of my daily routine, I find myself looking forward to it. And I feel better and better each day.

I said I didn’t have time. But I did. We make time for what’s important to us. I even got mad when I read that little motivational quote a while back because I didn’t want to admit to myself that it’s totally true.

“Wow, I really regret that workout,” said no one, ever.

Happy New Year! We can do this! Let’s get moving. ■

Written by Mix 93.3 Personality:  Jenny Matthews

Jenny Matthews is the host of Mix 93.3’s ‘Jenny Matthews Show’ 10am – 3pm, Monday – Friday. She lives in the Northland with her husband, Matthew, and their two kiddos, Julianne and Miles. Connect with Jenny at jmatthews@mix93.com!