Dear Jillian (Updated)

I think we both knew this letter would be coming. I did not keep up with your workouts. Two days under my belt, my husband left out of state for work. Between VBS and the lovely dramas there (among the parents, not the kids, isn’t that always the case?) and keeping up with sports practices and kid entertainment, your DVD just got forgotten the first day or so.

The second day, I couldn’t muster the energy for you, Ms. Michaels. And, here I am on day 3 of no workout, but I do intend to do something tonight. Please don’t yell at me, Jill. I’m too tired to handle that.

Jillian, I would love to know how you balance it all and stay fit. Oh, wait. I know. You don’t have kids yet and are not married, so you can live and breath gym sweat. I have one thing to say to that.

Come on, Jill, let’s get real.

Real moms squeeze in their workouts during the school year after preschool drop off, but before any afternoon appointments or work. And full-time working moms? Well, if they squeeze it in at all, it’s at the crack of dawn or late at night. And, quite frankly, those ladies who do that have my complete respect. Come summertime, and real moms really have to grab a workout when they can. Yes, we could get up at dawn every day to workout, and maybe we should, but sometimes we just choose to sleep later with the kids, or get up and get those house chores done before they start their day.

Life doesn’t make time for us to workout. We have to find and make that time. And, some weeks, we just don’t do it. Period. I used to beat myself up about that, but with age comes wisdom and I understand now that the important thing is to just get BACK on that horse again, and never give up. It is a waste of time to be upset over things in the past. Maybe one day I’ll find my life’s best balance, but for now I’m just doing good to get by each day.

So, Jill, don’t give up on me. I plan to do a workout tonight and possibly a spin class in the morning. I took my measurements so I can see just how much you can do for me this summer. I know if I was really training in person with you, this might be one of those times when you’d scream and tell me to figure out why I need to change. But, for now, I’ll take your pleasant voice on my DVD when I can make the time and know that summer is about having fun with the kids and no stress.

The years I have with my kids will fly by quickly, Jillian. And, sorry…that’s more important than always doing a workout DVD.

___

Updated: OK, Jill. I’m back on it. Did your DVD Fri night and went to the early cycle class at the gym Sat morning. Will do your DVD again Sun night and hit the gym hard next week. 2 weeks until my vacation/beach trip, so I have ample motivation to keep at it!