joined a gym - feeling guilty

ediep wrote: I was inspired by Teagansmom's post about joining the gym. I used to go to the gym or go running before I got preg with Jason. When I went for my first ob appointment, the doc told me to only walk or do prenatal aerobics...so I stopped going to the gym.

Since I read Teagansmom post about the gym, I realized how much I missed it. I talked to Dh about it and he totally supported my decision to join work out world. I went yesterday to have a tour and check the place out and I ended up joining. They have a daycare room with tons of toys. Now, i am feeling guilty.....I always spend every minute with Jason and I feel selfish dumping him in the daycare room at the gym so I can take an aerobics class.

am I crazy or what?

Boys r us replied: Good for you Edie!! I understand that you feel guilty, but time away is actually healthy for BOTH of you! It's not like you're ditching him to go to a bar and drink or to go shopping, you're leaving him for an hour or so to make yourself healthier!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Good For You! Don't feel guilty, you need some YOU time and Jason will be just fine!

texasp3 replied: Hey... what better gift can you give your child than your own good health?? It will make you a happier, more active Mom who will have the strength and energy to keep up with him! Taking care of yourself is an extremely important parenting responsibility.

Besides, he'll have a chance to play without you and that will be good for him too!

ammommy replied: ITA with everyone else. Good for you! The first few dropoffs might be tough for both of you, but you will each adjust and have fun.

Kaitlin'smom replied: IKWYM I also feel guilty when I go work out and I could be spending the tiem with Kaitlin but I usually leave her with DH, so I look at it as bonding time for them, and the one time I did leave her there she was a bit upset at first but then had fun.

Go you need time for you and 1 hour a day or everyother day is nothing. Enjoy you will be much happier and there for it will show.

DansMom replied: That's great!! I'm really missing the gym too, and for similar reasons I haven't gone back (feel like I want to spend every spare moment with Daniel). Edie, if you are a stay at home mom, you really shouldn't feel like you're taking time away from Jason to get yourself back into shape. You deserve this time, and it will be good for Jason at this age to see you involved with things that interest you. I would go for it!

A&A'smommy replied: OMG Edie have fun ENJOY that is a good time for Jason too he gets to be with other kids and play and you get to be with other adult and do something that will make you feel good about yourself!! I would LOVE to join a gym I'm jealous!

My2Beauties replied: ITA with everyone else, you need time to yourself as well! Don't feel guilty this gives Jason a chance to interact with other children and mommy a chance to do something that she has been wanting to do! It's great that you're doing this for yourself!

Des replied: me time = happy mom = happy baby

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

ediep replied: well, we went yesterday afternoon and he was ok. When I went back to get him after the class the babysitter was carrying him and I ran there to see if he was ok. The sitter said that he was asking for me, so she took him outside the room and showed him the gym a little and told him that mommy was exercising. Hopefully, he'll get more used to it after a few times. I am thinking that we should try to go in the morning so the kids are more his age. The afternoon has some older kids that come with their parents after school.

The aerobics class was awesome!!! I am a little sore, but it feels great!

coasterqueen replied:
ITA with Tracy! You are home with your baby all day long, so one hour away is not going to be horrible. I would love to go back to the gym but since I work all day, by the time I get home I feel bad if I'm not spending all that time with Kylie.

Go have fun!

redchief replied: I understand your feelings of guilt, but I'm not sure you're looking at it from a totally realistic point of view. The hour or so that you'll spend in the gym will reap benefits that you may not have considered. It's a proven fact that people who are physically active have more energy and are better able to focus than people who do not. The conclusion you can draw from this is that you will have more energy for your family and be able to think and focus more clearly while you're with them, negating the "lost time" from your family. Seem to make sense?