Gulp.
I had natural childbirth FOUR TIMES.
Yes, by choice.
Yes, IT HURT (in its own category of pain).
No, my labors weren't necessarily fast.
Yes, I was in the hospital where needle-happy medical-types were at my service.
And as I reflected on these seemingly two contrasting choices in my life - working out and hating it, and giving birth naturally and loving it - it started to mold my opinion of the former and help me approach it from a different angle.
When I'm running on my treadmill, the screen on the treadmill breaks the program up into segments of about 60 to 90 seconds long. Usually, something changes after each segment, whether the speed or incline (incline kicks my B-U-T-T).Don't contractions last somewhere in that ballpark of time? (Amanda and Carrie, don't answer that, I know that high levels of anesthesia interfere with your concept of time.)
I now just see each segment on my treadmill as a contraction. I focus only on the one I'm on NOW and not the many more until I'm completely done. Because let me tell you, when I'm 12 minutes into a 40 minute run, I'm ready to jump ship and head straight for the Oreos and remote control.
Or maybe get pregnant again, just so I have an excuse not to run anymore. (just kidding honey!)
The only difference is that after giving birth, I have a sweet new baby in my arms.
Even at this rate, I won't see my sweet new butt for months!
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Sweet butt is a comin'! Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI am pregnant, that's my excuse and I am sticking to it - for at least 5 more months.
Yes, but childbirth takes A LOT longer than 40minutes. So put all your workouts together and in a few months you'll be giving birth to a sweet new baby butt!!!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up. I am so proud of your efforts and your sweet butt will arrive sooner than 9 months from now. Keep up the hard work, great blog entry!! How's your knee? Love you, Car
ReplyDeleteYou run???? You exercise traitor! The only place I run to is the fridge. . .and actually, I just walk there. So maybe you do eat Double Stuff Oreos, but I bet they're all running away from you on the treadmill. You go!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to second your friend Natalie on this one... you're making the rest of us leftover-babyfat moms look bad. I envy you your discipline... and your treadmill!
ReplyDeleteThere is one other huge difference between childbirth and exercise... childbirth happens TO you, while exercise is pretty much your own decision. I delivered my kids without drugs too, but if I had been able to choose the level of pain from my contractions, I doubt I would have chosen the back pain I had!
I think you're giving yourself a great gift of morale boost by doing this; it's amazing how good you feel when you set a goal and stick to it. I'm sure you'll feel great about yourself as you watch the cookie ounces fall off your body. I'll send you mine when you've gotten rid of all of yours!
I am inspired.
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