Toddler + Tired Mom = STRESS

I love my child.  She brings me joy, makes me laugh, showers me with affection, and does something amazing every day.  She is smart, creative, eats her vegetables, and loves to run.  She is also one of the happiest kids I have ever seen... most of the time.

There are also times when she is what I call "Jekyll and Hyde baby".   I can deal calmly with stressors at work, with family, time, and even money.  I am most likely to lose my cool when my child acts like she belongs on an episode of "Super Nanny".  The difference is that Super Nanny is not going to show up on my door step and when my adrenaline is flowing from the anxiety and stress of any whining, crying, screaming, or just a flat out refusal to listen, all child rearing logic goes straight out the window.  Fortunately, she is generally even tempered and her outbursts are predictably when she is exhausted or hungry.  Add the exhaustion that accompanies early morning wake up calls, a full time job, and expectations of being a wife and mother - there comes a tipping point where my patience wears very thin.  Sometimes this mommy needs a time out. 

I have a fierce Italian temper and when I feel the tension bubbling to the surface I need to manage the stress.  In a perfect world, I'd go for a run to release the tension but I can't leave a 3 year old alone in the house.  Instead, I have to step away and focus on breathing and calming myself.  On days where I'm rested and prepared to handle the "Jekyll and Hyde", I can calmly speak to her or put her in time out.  On days when I'm exhausted explosive mom, I have to really focus on patience.  I feel terrible when I yell - and I do apologize because even a 3 year old deserves respect.  In a perfect world I'd always respond like the Super Nanny but I'm not perfect.  Instead I try to understand my tipping point and hers.  Sometimes she's stressed and just needs a cuddle.  Believe it or not, that usually calms me down too.

According to HelpGuide.Org

About Stress:
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response.
Physical Reaction to Stress:
When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action.
Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus – preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.

We're Having a Heat Wave

It is hot outside.  Today is better than yesterday.  After all, it's only 93 degrees today versus yesterday's blistering 99.  For those who enjoy exercising outside, it's important to remember that at these temperatures you are at risk for heat illness.  Those who are accustomed to these temperatures and conditions are at a lower risk but it is still important to pay attention to the cues your body gives you.  If you feel weak, dizzy, nauseous, or confused then it's time to take a break. 

Consider the alternatives:  Get out early in the morning before the heat of the day hits.  Stay indoors and exercise in an air conditioned fitness center.   Splash around in the pool and have fun while burning some calories.

Tomorrow our family is running the Silks & Satins 5K in Saratoga Springs.  It benefits the Special Olympics, which is terrific, is sponsored by the Saratoga Stryders, and is an overall great event.  I first ran it while visiting the area in 2003 the morning of my niece's Christening.  An added bonus was the fact that I received a box of Freihofer's chocolate chip cookies in my goody bag.  I volunteered on the course the last couple of years, directing runners and stopping traffic.  This year, I'm going to take it easy and enjoy the course, the other runners, my husband and daughter who will also be there, and hopefully go home with a fresh box of cookies.

Helpful tips and advice on exercising in the heat can be found here: http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/exercising-in-the-heat-0

4:30 Comes Early - Making time for fitness

There was point in my life when I did not go to bed until 4:30 AM.  I spent several years working in restaurants - often as a second job - and it was not unusual to unwind with coworkers for a few hours after closing time.  This was mainly on weekends and I could sleep a few hours and still function for the rest of the day.  Those days, I could go to the gym after work, enjoy a late dinner, and my only concern was taking care of myself an my dog.

My life is much different now.  Between my career, family, and other miscellaneous commitments I still require the same amount of stamina that I had in my early twenties but the flow of energy has changed.  Late dinners are out of the question as I insist that our family sits at the dining room table and we eat together.  With a toddler who has a strict 8:30 bedtime (we're working towards 8:00 or even earlier since she has decided to give up naps on most days), dinner needs to be on the table by 7 PM at the latest. 

Working within these parameters, I have the following options to get in my exercise:

A. I can squeeze in a workout right after work
B. I can exercise after she goes to bed
C. I can get out for bits and pieces during the day (quick walk at lunch, quick walk with the dogs and family in the evening, etc)
D. I can get up before the rest of the house and get my workout in.

Each option has it's pros, cons, and barriers:

A. Pro:  If my bag is packed and I go straight to the gym I am more likely to stick to my plan.  Con: I miss what precious little time I have with my daughter on weeknights.  Barrier: I can easily get thrown off schedule with little events such as a quick trip to the grocery store or an evening commitment.
B. Pro:  I don't feel rushed and the gym is empty or if I'm exercising at home there are usually prime time television options to watch during my workout.  Con:  Sacrifice time with my husband.  Barrier:  It takes a lot of will power to start moving once I get home and am comfortable. 
C. Pro:  I can always find 10 - 15 minutes if I really put my mind to it.  Con:  If I'm training for an event I don't get the training that I need to prepare for the event.  Barrier:  This barrier is all in my mind because I really should be doing these short bursts of activity every day anyway.
D.  Pro:  There will be no schedule conflicts at the break of dawn.  Con:  Getting ready for work on a tight schedule.  Barrier:  My bed is comfortable and 4:30 comes early.

This summer, I've chosen option D.  The sun is rising when I leave the house at 4:45.  As long as I get to bed early enough, I can still get at least 6 hours of sleep.  Husband and I alternate days so someone is always home with our child.  I am reminded how much I actually enjoy the peace and quiet of the early morning. 

With any fitness routine, you need to do what works.  Finding an activity that you enjoy is one key and finding the time is another.  For me, at this stage in my life, I need the accountability of a scheduled group exercise class - be it studio cycling, weight training, or something else that is offered at the time I need.  As a wife, mother, employee, jack of all trades, I can get lost in my other duties that I don't make as much time for myself as I should.  The kicker is, making time for myself, and feeling good about myself the way I do when I've gotten in my activity for the week (over the course of several days) makes me better at all my other roles.  Plus, I still have time to sit down for our family dinner. 

And I'm still responsible for the dog.