One thing you don’t know about me is that I’m a total list girl. Lists for the grocery store, Walmart, packing the diaper bag, weekly dinners (yes, I know), babysitters and friends. I think it’s part of why teaching and writing both fit me so well- I feel like written words have the power to motivate me to do something. Once something is down on paper, it becomes real, necessary and attainable. Yes, I’m anal. Yes, I have multi-coloured pens (in a pencil case thankyouverymuch). Yes, I’m at peace with it.
Part of the reason why taking Booty Camp classes has already become a highlight of my week is that it is so goal oriented. When you attend your first Bootycamp class, following the
horrifying measurements and weigh-in (unfair, unfair, necessary but unfair!), you are handed your Booty Camp DVD (which I’ll talk about more another time) to help you fit in a third workout at your leisure, and “The Ultimate Girl’s Guide To A Healthy & Sexy Booty”, written by Booty Camp Fitness’ creator, Sammie Kennedy.
In the guide, Sammie highlights the importance of setting goals and having concrete reasons for WHY you want to attain those goals. She’s preaching to the choir! I’ve been listing Goals for years- daily, monthly, yearly, fitness, practical, and far-reaching. Hand in hand with my love of lists, goal-setting makes the unattainable seem within reach and the impractical seem absolutely necessary.
So, last night I took out my pencil case and made a new list- one of goals that I would like to achieve before I turn 30. I came up with 5 serious life-goals (which I’ll keep to myself for the moment because they involve people other then me) and 3 fun goals (running a 10K race, getting one article published in a major magazine and fitting into my “pre-pre” pregnancy jeans). And I had fun doing it- remembering where I’ve been and where I want to go.
Part of being a new mom includes giving up so much of yourself and living to “just get through the next moment”. It’s survival. You are no longer you- you are a mom who exists to feed, pacify, and nurture a new soul. But the pre-baby you is still lingering in there…lurking and waiting to make her way back out when the time is right. Making my new goal list helped me remember that.
So, I challenge you to make your own list- in those few spare moments you can carve out- to help you remember what you are all about and where you want to be. Make as many or as few as you want, but make them important and real to you. And write them down, so you really mean them! (pink pen optional).
Sarah says
Recognizing yourself is a fantastic goal. It’s taken me quite a while to see glimpses of myself here and there. I think you get a bit of your old self and some of your new self, when it’s all said and done. So, maybe not fully recognizing your old self is not an awful thing!
I’m keeping things I liked about the old me but I’ve added a lot more new/different qualities since having my son (patience is a big one because he’s wild and stubborn…).
One day when I was feeling really down, I made a list of things I used to like to do and did one of them the first chance I had (vain…I got highlites). But, it was that list that helped remind me of who I was/who I am.
BUT, I totally hear you on how daunting day-to-day, moment-to-moment stuff is. Trust me, I hear you on that one!!!
Erin says
Melissa,
I was nowhere near getting any part of myself back until at least 2 years after my twins were born. Really, all I thought and talked about were my girls. I must have been so boring to be around.
I was lucky with the weight because I breastfed both and I walked for hours everyday until they wouldn’t stay in the stroller anymore. Then, I started to gain it back and I wasn’t able to exercise again until I went back to work full time and worked out after school with a lot of support from co-workers.
I guess my point is, your self will come back, slowly. Now, I still think of my girls a lot, but there is room for all the kids in my class, politics, etc. You will be back.
If you are thinking about career choices then you are starting to think about yourself….keep researching, find something that you think will make you happy and fulfilled.
And, if you can, get out of the house. I really couldn’t due to my location and that sucked. So try, if you can.
You will recognize your new self….with so much more to offer the world.
Melissa says
I think you lie… The pre-baby person is now just a scared little girl cowering in the corner, knowing that at any moment the children are going to come around the corner and “get” her. Kidding, of course, but for me it is really hard to find that pre-baby self some days, even harder to remember what was important to me before I had kids. I don’t even recognize myself any more. And harder still is writing down a list of goals, it seems so insurmountable to ever get any of it done when the day-to-day is so overwhelming.
I have started thinking about the career choices I will make when my kids are finally both in school, and I think that has been good for me. I also have some health goals for myself, I have made it to pre-baby weight (after 13 months) but still have a ways to go. I think my number one goal should be to be able to recognize ME when I stumble across myself.
Erin says
Booty Camp sounds great. I wish I had something like that here in Temagami, alas, there is nothing.
However, I have been working out to Jillian Michaels DVDs and they are kind of like Boot Camp. I work out with other teachers after work, in the kindergarten classroom no less! I have a hard time fitting it in at home as you can imagine.
And, if my almost 40 year old body is bouncing back, pre-30 bodies can too. LOL
I have been making lists or small resolutions a la “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, and it’s really working for me.
1. Get more sleep.
2. Exercise 2 time per week.
3. Declutter.
More to come….
JessHowe says
I will make my list tonight – this is a great idea and I haven’t done it for quite a while. Manifest destiny.
And I believe you will achieve your fitness goal – I think pre-30 bodies bounce back better, right?