It's 5:20 pm. The kids are tired, they are screaming at each other and complaining about dinner. The oldest refuses to eat and gets sent to his room in a tirade. The youngest spills his lemonade all over the floor. The dog is right under my feet and won't move away. Soccer practice starts in 10 minutes. It's at this moment I want to scream, yell and run away. But I don't because I was able to exercise today. I breathe deep and count to three because I ran.
Exercising everyday allows me to be a better mom to my kids. It makes me a more patient and kind person. After the birth of my first child I suffered post partum depression and anxiety. Before children I was active and never really gave exercise much thought, I just did it. After kids, exercise was the furthest thing from my mind. I was lucky just to get a meal or a shower during the day. My mood started slipping deeper and deeper in a dark place. It wasn't until a few years later I stood on the sidelines of Ironman Arizona cheering for my brother as he crossed the finshline. I saw something in his face as soon as he crossed and I longed to feel like he did at that exact moment. It was at that moment I made a commitment to sign up for a triathlon. While training and devoting all my time to swimming biking and running, my mood started changing. I was becoming less anxious and more relaxed. Over the years I found that on the days I exercise I can handle just about anything. My frustrations are taken out on the bike or pounding the pavement in my running shoes.
What are some of the main reasons why you exercise?
This post is part of the Wonder Mom Wednesday Link-up with Sue at This Mama Runs For Cupcakes and Susan with Mom Swim Bike Run. Link up your post at the bottom. If you can't join us this week be sure and join next week to share your favorite Sneaky Recipe (you know the one the kids love but you really hide good stuff in it).
