It is hard to get excersize time in, but no way is it selfish. It is selfish for us not to take care of ourselves and for our adult children to have to watch and even put their lives on hold to take care of us due to health problems we could have prevented. It is the most sickening feeling in the world to worry about a parent who has weight related health problems, and best to do what we can to spare our children from feeling that way.

I used to think I was selfish for doing little things for me. But then it occurred to me, I could be putting my kids in public school for 7 hours a day while I have massive amounts of "me" time, or work full time, but I don't. I spend so much of my energy pouring out my life on their behalf and in serving my husband and keeping our home a haven. I am grateful that I am able to home school and be a keeper of the home; however, I'm not going to feel guilty for eeking out an hour or two to replenish myself.

Now that I have committed to a workout class 3 days a week, I am twice as effective when we are schooling, twice as energetic around the house, twice as joyful and playful, twice the woman my husband desires. Our home schooled kids receive so much more time and attention than the average American child on a daily basis, they can learn to sacrifice for their dear mommies!

The only time to reassess is when your priorities are upside down. If your house is not getting cleaned, if dinner isn't being prepared, if your school standard is falling, if your husband is being neglected...if this is the fruit produced by too much "me: time then reassess your schedule.

Good Luck! Remember: if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Rhonda

Wow! I love the idea of circuit training, which is pretty much what I am doing in my fitness class. I never thought to add music and create fun moves for them. I like the track idea, too. :)

I've had this argument with myself many times. I suppose it is "selfish" in the same way that brushing my teeth, getting enough sleep (or trying, at least!), eating good food, using the computer, etc. is selfish.

There have been times when my family made it difficult to make time for working out. Not necessarily that they *tried* to make it hard, they just did. And then instead of telling hubby how important it is to me, I'd play the martyr, make everyone miserable, and then feel REALLY ridiculous when I'd finally admit to DH that the reason I was pouting for three days was because I couldn't run on Tuesday. :laugh:

So, now the family recognizes that sticking to my self-imposed workout schedule makes me a happier person. DH and the older kids are more than capable to hold down the fort for an hour a day, and once they understood the importance, they are more *willing*.

I think it's more selfish not to exercise. My thought process on that: If we don't take "Me" time away from the family, we will come dangerously close to burn out (or jump right into the burn out bonfire). Our kids (and husbands) need us to feel good & be positive...not crashing.

Exercise is good for our health (by not exercising, we are cheating our families of a healthy mom), it's a mood regulator (if you are fighting the blues, get some exercise in! It will help!), it sets a good example for the rest of the family (do you want your kids to grow up with good or bad habits?), and it gives you time to remember that YOU are a person, too, not a shell of a person lost somewhere in the overwhelming world of mom/wife/teacher.

I wish I had realized this a couple of years ago. I experienced an insane burn out, which lead to me speeding to the public school registration office (literally). That was a rough year.

My older kids are happier when they see my workout. They know I will be happier and feel better. My two younger ones love to do the Leslie Sansone DVDs with me. I do get aggravated with myself when I have to do it in the middle of the day b/c I did not get up before them and do it. But, either way, the day goes a lot better and we all get more done when I am doing what I need to do to take care of myself.
Blessings,
Melanie

I feel the same way... for years I let it slide. Feeling like I was a bad person .. I even had a few times when my son got in the way of sit ups a got a bloody nose. But in the end I decided its not selfish.. Its just doing whats best for me.. so I can be there for my kids for a long time.

But incorporating exercise as a gym class is the best way to go in my experience. D0 a video with them, take hikes or walks I have a great christian show thats on tv and I set it to tape.. called christian fitness.. and sometimes they do kid friendly exercises that the family can do together. Or even just an evening walk together as a family. Its small.. and its not necessarily as good of a workout as the kind you do alone.. but its a start.. and it burns calories. We can do this.. we just have to take a different approach.. and be creative.. Jumping on the trampoline with the kids.. or racing with them. (we do relay races) Or hiking with a small child on your back burns almost twice the calories.. Yoga has definitely not been the exercise of choice for my family.. I mean who can find inner peace with screaming kids?? lol. i know I can't. Playing kids games like tag, ring around the rosey, etc are pretty good calorie burners.. lol

Oh. .. and sometimes we play party quirks (a game I got from watching whose line is it anyway) you basically chose a character and the kids have to guess who you are.. you might be amazed how many calories you might burn from rolling around the floor acting like a fish while your kids are trying to guess what you are. LOL

Its not selfish to exercise the other way .. I think we all could use ME time..... but there are alternatives for those of us with lots of kids around.. Just to make it easier. Its all about Multitasking!! Exercise and entertain the kids at the same time!!

I know exactly how you feel. I feel it every morning when I tell the kids I am going or for a bike ride or out to the garage to workout for and hr or hr and a half. It's even worse when they say, "Mommy please don't go!" Ahhh, it makes me feel so guity. But I know I need this. I know I need it for my sanity, my health and my diet (if I don't workout I eat like crap!).

I know the quilt is just that, but unfounded. I know I am a good mother and am here all the the rest of the time with them. Plus lots of times if I am working out in the garage my daughter will love to come workout with me. It's so cute (she is only 6).

So, yeah, I think we all get these feelings. But unless you are a workout-aholic and are workout out 4-5 hrs a day, I wouldn't feel too guilty about it. ;-)