Embracing Everyday

Went to Ateneo today to try out their Indoor Oval and in-house gym. I was feeling melancholy this morning because I am supposed to be in Cebu instead of here.

It was around 2Pm and I wanted to do some speedwork for my run today. After which, I used the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center gym on the first floor of the complex. It’s also a start for me to familiarize myself with various gym equipments – it would help in my Personal Training review.

Going back, after my speedwork in the track oval – I went straight to the gym. Lo and behold the receptionist was around 140lbs and munching on a Large serving of McDonald’s-oh-so-healthy French Fries and playing a yahoo game on the computer.

"Hi! Do you have daily rates for the gym? For walk-ins like myself?"

"Good afternoon mam, sure, it’s P300 per visit."

"Okay, here’s P300."

It was 245PM when I got there, and it was mostly kids who were working-out/checking their iPods/constantly checking themselves in the mirror. I can almost smell the aura of what you may call "teenagers thinks they’re all-looking-at-me-I’m-so conscious syndrome".

I was already sweating when I entered the gym and went straight to the free weights area. I was just barely beginning my circuit arm workout when… "BANG!" – the lanky kid beside me just threw the dumbbells on the floor… Alright, this is why I disliked working out at gyms in the first place.

Next, I went through most of the machines on hand. There were just a few – but it targeted the muscle groups that I was aiming for… And there were a couple of girls that I saw that looked hesitant to use the machines. I think they were too shy to look like that they didn’t know what they we’re doing-but-they-really-didn’t-know-what-they-were-doing… And then after I finish using a machine one of the two girls will use the machine that I used… I didn’t mind. I was tempted to teach them how to use it. But, I didn’t want to step on the shoes of the trainer’s on the gym floor.

After a shower and a very nice workout. I went to Ton-Ton’s Thai massage over at Congressional Avenue in Quezon City. I thought there were other massage options – I was in dire need of a Sports massage – but, they only offered THAI MASSAGE, what else? P250 for a whole hour of Thai body massage.

I reluctantly said, "I’ll have the whole body massage then."

An hour passed and I must say that I am now a fan. Cherry, my masseuse, targeted all the pressure points that has been stressed out by the Milo run, U.P. run, Sky run , Moro speedwork and Gym workout for that week.

I heard mass in the evening too. The gospel was about Faith. And it’s high-time I let go of my anger and have FAITH. It was the icing on my cake for that day. I felt energized and renewed. As soon as I got home, I booked myself a flight to Cebu for tomorrow afternoon. Time to see D.

For starters, I was already working out before I got pregnant. However, I was more diligent with my exercise routine and food intake while my tummy got bigger.

After giving birth, squeezing in exercise was almost impossible. But, here are some tips on how I did it.

• If you’re a stay-at-home-mom; don’t get household help or a nanny for the first 6 – 10 months of your little one’s life. Do everything yourself.
• Eat something small and healthy every 2 – 3 hours. Yoghurt, raisins, apple, etc…
• Give in to chips and that sweet, moist chocolate cake once or twice a week. You deserve it. Just one slice though.
• Prepare and plan your meals as much as you can. Avoid anything “instant” or “fastfood”.
• PLAY with your baby for at least two hours a day. Jump with him or just show your little one how to jump!
• Put him on his stroller and go running with him for 30 minutes straight. It’ll be a fun rollercoaster ride for him and a great workout for you.

After I became a mom – I never thought I would…

• be blissfully contented with just 4 hours of sleep.
• memorize, sing and dance to Barney’s songs.
• love the smell of “pee” and “poop”.
• cry when I see my husband and son horsing around.
• eat food that came from someone else’s mouth.
• forget to take a bath.
• forget to eat breakfast, lunch and even – dinner.
• be able to cook, do the laundry and clean the bathroom simultaneously.
• enjoy arm cramps when my little one is snoring away in my arms.