Self-care in the Time of Influenza

Halfway through my masters swim class on Friday morning I knew I was doomed.

Despite weeks of echinecea, zinc (now I know it works at least until the next study comes out that says it doesn't), vitamin C, my trusty multivitamin, water, lots of water, some sort of yuck penetrated through the armour. I have had a string of sick children since January 30 (yes, I remember that last weekend fondly when everyone was healthy at the same time) and despite my best efforts of shoring up my immune system the virus found a crack, which I'm convinced was caused by sharing the same airspace with a sniveling, feverish 2-year-old who has become, it seems, another appendage, or perhaps the multitude of sleepless nights caused by this same miserable little 2-year-old. The karma, of course, is now I personally know how miserable he felt...

On a side note, we've been to the pediatrician three times this month, which makes me feel like a rookie. With the fourth kid you'd think I'd know if there's an ear infection or not.

This being sick has made me a little crabby (my husband might quibble with the use of "little"). I'm just frustrated, the least of which is from cutting my swim workout short, missing Cross Fit (although I ache all over like I did go) and not feeling up for a run or a snowshoe that normally energizes me and makes this long winter not just bearable, but enjoyable. And this really gets my ire--my beloved Polar Activity Monitor hasn't come close to reaching the one hour target in a looooong time, now serving as a visual reminder of my physical impotence.

I don't feel good. And I'm taking it out on my kids (i.e. if you have ketchup stuck in your hair and you see me coming at you with a comb, run for your life), the dog is always in my way, I can no longer find it in myself to be polite to telemarketers, and I don't even feel well enough to enjoy a glass of wine. See, I told you it was bad.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to make a choice with how to proceed in my pathetic state. I could plow through it, as moms typically do, or I could--hold on to your seat--take care of myself. Crazy, right?

There's a whole section in Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom
(just one more month before it's out!) about the necessity of taking care of ourselves as well as we do our children. This is a hard concept to accept for a lot of us (and we'll avoid discussing all the baggage as to why) and sometimes it just doesn't seem practical. I mean, we have to take care of everyone else, taking care of ourselves just adds to the heap! One more thing to do! But we know it's true: self-care is like the oxygen we need to apply to ourselves first when there's a sudden change in cabin pressure; it becomes the interest earned when we need to withdraw a little of our savings; it's that stitch in time that saves nine.

So I followed the advice in my own book, I walked the talk and:

• curled up in bed with a good novel (Those Who Save Us, by Jenna Blum)
• took a long, hot bath
• painted my nails (cosmetic, sure, but it pleases me to look at my seashell pink nails and think of a warm beach)

Of course, this was made possible because my husband took the kids to the Children's Museum one day and the women's U of M basketball game the next. Not so much a favor to me (as in, let's get the hell out of here!), but it was. Had I not had an empty house I would have needed to improvise, say, curling up in bed to read Dr. Seuss out loud, a bath with a few kids and toys joining me, and maybe just one hand painted (in glittery purple). Still. It would do.

This morning I am feeling better in spirit, which is the whole point. If not more rested I am somewhat rejuvinated. I am glad for taking the oxygen mask to myself because I'll need that to face the rest of the week. My twins have fevers again, 102 degrees. "My eyes hurt," one of them said. I don't know if they are at the end of this latest round of illnesses or at the beginning. Time to roll up my sleeves, put my big girl panties on and look down every now and then at my seashell pink fingernails.

I'm looking for more ideas to rejuvinate--in small ways with children around. How do you sneak in a little self-care in the midst of germ-filled chaos?

Becoming a Hot (Sweaty) Mama

This is Mamacat.

Mamacat is a long-time friend of mine. This is a woman who lights up a room with her smile, is bubbling over with enthusiasm, and keeps me awestruck with her ability to be both kick-ass mom and business super power. She refinishes antique furniture, gardens, and loves to sail, too, by the way.

In December we celebrated our birthdays over lunch and she asked me if she could be a “test case” on Mama Sweat. She struggles to “find time for fitness in the chaos of motherhood” and needed some help.

Huh.

That’s what Mama Sweat is all about, really. Sure, I can be a little self-indulgent every now and then, droning on about my own personal fitness escapades (and fitness model escapades), but all of these posts, at their core, is to inspire, motivate, encourage, and... help.

So readers? You up for helping?

If I must say, I’m a good cheerleader and I know Mama Sweat readers are, too. Could we do this? Could we help Mamacat become a Hot (Sweaty) Mama?

In order to get her going I’ve set her up with a few goodies:

For Inspiration: An advance copy of “Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom.” Mamacat will give it a read and we’ll hear what tidbits from the book get her up and moving.

For Motivation: Entry into the Iron Girl Duathlon in Bloomington on September 24, plus access to Iron Girl’s training program. There is nothing--and I mean nothing--like a goal to get you motivated to move.

Encouragement: The Polar Activity Monitor, of course, The Hot (Sweaty) Mama escort service is always there to tell you how you’re doing.

Help: A local program called “Moms on the Run,” which offers training runs and bootcamp classes throughout the Twin Cities, has generously offered to take Mamacat into their program (Mamacat and I live about an hour away from each other so I needed to put her in good hands!)

We’ll check in with Mamacat every few weeks or so to hear about how these goods and services are working for her and, of course, how she’s progressing. But first, let me introduce you to our Hot (Sweaty) Mama in-the-making, and tell you a little about what she wants, and what her obstacles are. (Some of this might sound familiar.)

Name: MamaCat (Not her real name of course, that’s what she signs in as for comments)

Age: Really? Can I just say "about 40"?

Children: 8-year-old boy/girl twins and a 5-year-old diva.

Occupation: Advertising Operations Consultant. (Kara’s note:The job title on her business card is “Director of Radical Efficiency,” which sound like the person I want to hire to run my life.)

I want to be more active because: I like to be active. I FEEL better when I'm active. My mind works better, my stress level is much more manageable and for Pete's sake an endorphin rush is better than a caffeine crash any day! I also want my kids to grow up with fitness as a part of their everyday life. And I'm envious of all those couples who have couple workouts. My husband hates the gym, dusts me on a bike ride and takes one stride for every eight of my own. Be that as it may, he needs to build a strong and healthy heart now that he's had heart surgery. I hope to get old and fit together!

My biggest obstacle for finding time for fitness: I love my children, I love my husband and I love my job. But they all come first. I also work hard on my recovery program, which is a priority in my life. (Did she just say “recovery”? Yes, she did and we’ll get into more details about that in later posts, too.) So by the time it comes around for 'me' time and the gym, it can be hard to find time. I go through phases where I get to the gym at least five times per week and then something will break the cycle (an injury, a business trip, a heart surgery, a deadline) and it can throw me off my rocker for weeks.

Kara’s Note: Mamacat was literally thrown off her rocker two weeks ago when she fell off a ladder trying to remove an ice dam from her roof. Girlfriend has three broken vertebrae and a concussion so bad her docs told her not to think. She is healing and ready, albeit gingerly, to move again.

My vision of me as a fit mom is: Being comfortable in my own skin (and skirt) and having ease of mind. I'd also love to feel fit enough to try a mini tri.

To test her seriousness about becoming a Hot (Sweaty) Mama, I went right for her weakness: Diet Coke. I knew she drank a lot of Diet Coke, which I considered a slight impediment to a healthy lifestyle. Check this out if you don’t believe me:

Via: Term Life Insurance

But then diet soda has it's own problems (don't let the word "diet" lead you to believe it's better for you), some even think the caramel coloring might be cancerous (I know mamacat, it's the fizz and the caramel color you adore...)

I wasn’t out to take what she calls her "last vice" away altogether, but suggested she seriously cut down. Since we met for lunch almost two months ago she is down from about eight (8!) a day to two or less and drinking more water instead.

Mamacat already has her first victory! And as you all know, that is how it’s done. One little victory leads to another little victory, which leads to another little victory. Momentum!

Please say hello to Mamacat and let her know she can do this!

Surprise! A Little Mama Sweat on Friday!

I'm here on a Friday for two reasons (well, three, if you count the fact that The Boy is still napping, making this spontaneous post possible). First we have a winner! The Hot (Sweaty) Mama Facebook Page burst through the 500 barrier on Wednesday night (you all rock!) and now we're at 508. How soon can we have 1000? Hmmm?

So I can now give the Polar Activity Monitor away and the random number generator picked Kristen who blogs at 1+1=5. Kristen is a mom to three boys and is training for her first half marathon. Kristen, email me your address to kara@karathom.com so I can send the monitor your way. Congratulations!

Second reason I'm compelled to greet you today is to point you to the latest post by Katy Bowman, who continues to revolutionize the world of pelvic floor health. She had a thing or two to say to Dr. Oz about his "Super Kegel" and continues to school us all on how our pelvic floor muscles function. Required reading.

Now go forth and have a great weekend!

Be My Valentine (Giveaway!)

Oh, there's a new love in my life all right. Like any new love I'm slightly obsessed, I can't stand to be away, want to keep it close, in fact on my body, at all times.

This love isn't human, but it speaks to me. It motivates me. It validates me.

You want what I have, don't you? Yeah, huh.

Keep reading.

What if I told you there was something that could say definitively that housework does indeed count as a workout? What if you had one of those days when motherhood truly got in the way, but you're certain that all the running around you did felt like the workout you missed? What if, when trying to get back into the habit of fitness, you had a little something-something to tell you, "hey, keep going, you're almost there!"?

Let me introduce you the Hot (Sweaty) Mama escort service.

Kidding.

Let me introduce you to my favorite new toy. I do sleep with it, but it's not what you're thinking...

It's a Polar Activity Monitor.

My husband gave it to me for Christmas. One look at the box and I tried to hide my disappointment since my husband loooooves anything that collects data and gives him the opportunity to analyze his fitness with numbers. For me these gadgets are either a source of entertainment while exercising ("Holy Cow, check out my wickedly high heart rate!") or frustration ("Why the hell is this thing beeping every 240 yards?") But to be a good sport, I took that Polar Activity Monitor out of the box and strapped it on. I have not taken it off since.

Reason why I love it #1: I could figure it out without reading a manual. I have four kids. I have no time for manuals.

Reason why I love it #2: I get instant feedback. The Polar Activity Monitor is an accelerometer. So it tracks activity at several paces, vigorous+, vigorous, moderate, easy and very easy, although easy and very easy don't count toward your daily activity goal, which is one hour. This handy little watch interprets every move I make (and I mean every) and translates that movement into exercise time. (You do see the fun you could have with it right there...)

Reason why I love it #3: I am motivated to be as active as I think I am. The diary records activity in each pace and provides steps and calories for the day. Even on days I don't work out I want to hit at least 30 minutes of activity. I aim for 7 hours of activity for the week. It's keeping me honest.

Reason why I love it #4: I do believe that the daily tasks of motherhood keep me active and that housework can be exercise. But that was just my opinion. The Polar Activity Monitor now proves it. Take last Monday. No workout. But I did vacuum, tackle four loads of laundry, and scrub blue marker (unsuccessfully) from the carpet. By noon I had taken 12000 steps. By the end of the day, after bus stops and swim lessons and dinner and dishes my steps had accumulated to 20254. Wowza. There was 56 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity recorded on my Polar Activity Monitor, and yet I hadn't officially "exercised." Take that!

Does it have it's limitations? Sure. You could be a beauty queen sitting on a throne atop a parade float waving wrist-wrist/elbow-elbow and get a pretty decent activity reading. On the other end of the spectrum if you don't attach your Polar Activity Monitor to your shoe for a cycling workout you might get a big goose egg after all your effort. It's wise to vacuum and wipe smudgy prints off walls with the arm wearing the watch. I don't get the readings I feel I deserve for Cross Fit workouts or yoga, either, and when I explain this to my watch, try to reason with it to add more active minutes it doesn't waver. Alas, the Polar Activity Monitor does not have a soul.

Still, I love it with all my heart and I'm here to give one away. How do you be my Polar Activity Monitor Valentine? Send me a comment of course, AND head over to the Hot (Sweaty) Mama Facebook page (you should see the button on the left of this page) and like it! (Love it? Sure, but that's not an option). Our Facebook page is holding at just under 500 fans and I want to see it top that number. I'll announce the winner on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas Facebook fan page next week.

Now, if you want to BUY a Polar Activity Monitor (because you need one for your kids too and I'll be writing more later about that), Polar has a deal for you Mama Sweat readers. Just email Polar at sales@polarusa.com with your name and phone number and mention you're a Mama Sweat reader. They'll take $10 off the $99.95 price. Sweet! Better than chocolate! Better than... well it's very good, don't you think?

My Secret to Staying Committed to Fitness

While I am soon to celebrate 12 years of marriage to my one-and-only, when it comes to fitness, I can't commit to exercise monogamy. No doubt, that's part of why I love being a triathlete. If running is good, then swimming, biking and running has to be better. Since having kids and, ahem, less involved as a competitive triathlete, I have added even more variations to my list of activities. Running, I love, and will always love, but I can't run every day. I just can't get excited about running every day and I'm most excited about running when I get to come back to it after doing something else. Wink. Wink. Cross training, or being an exercise swinger, adds the sizzle I need to a dedicated life of fitness.

There was Cross Fit on Friday and cross country skiing on Sunday. There will be swimming on Tuesday, rock climbing on Wednesday and surely a romp on my snowshoes before the week is over. Yoga, yes my love, I haven't forgotten you. I will run in there, too, but I don't know when. I'm enjoying the spontaneity.

And you? Devoted to a single fitness routine or a swinger like me?