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Mind over Muffin Top

Last night I made it a point to pack for the gym so I'd be all set this morning. I was excited to lace up the old running shoes and hit the treadmill. As soon as I zipped the bag, it all went downhill from there.

My sweet boy was up every two hours to eat. He kept falling asleep at the table (or so to speak), and I couldn't wake him up for anything to keep him focused. So to say I was exhausted this morning would be an understatement.

I was then thankful that I had set out my outfit and was already packed. Less thinking in the morning is always a bonus. None of my clothes fit exactly how I'd like them to, but this morning my pants were even tighter than usual. But somehow I was running behind, and I was too tired to find a different set of pants. So, I stuffed one leg in and then the other, did a little squirm to get all the extra leggage that is still hanging around to feel slightly comfortable, sucked in, and fastened those suckers.

The mistake came when I looked in the mirror. There it was: the dreaded muffin top. I'm not saying that I've always been in tip-top shape. And I had love handles before the baby. But this was something entirely different. And there was no way I could go out looking like that. I could only imagine what it would look like once I sat down... if I could sit down, that is. So I grabbed a button down shirt and pretended there was absolutely nothing wrong to begin with. After all, I figured the pants would stretch out a bit during the long commute. (And they did... kinda.)

Lunchtime came, and it was time to run. Want a little motivation to workout even when you're only running on a few hours of sleep? Wear pants that are a size too small.

I stumbled into the locker room and decided then and there that I'm going to do this. No more excuses. And I did it. I ran for 1 mile straight. I thought I was going to die, but I did it. (And on a crappy treadmill to boot! My favorite one was snatched up while I was peeling my pants off in the locker room.) And tomorrow I'm going to do it again. My mind's made up. I may not have much control over anything else in my life right now, but I can control how I treat my body. It's the only body I'll ever have. Now if only I could find some patience tucked away somewhere... I have a feeling "Operation: Body after Baby" is going to take some time...


Comments

  1. I am right there with you. I made the mistake of buying a pair of dress pants when I was breastfeeding Elaina (aka, the lightest I have ever been), and now they sit in my drawer, mocking me. When I feel like I'm about to die on the treadmill tonight, I'll think of you. We're in this together! :)

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