Stay Fit, Mommy!

Are there days when you just feel lethargic, unmotivated and lazy? Well, today is one of those days. I read my Bible but nearly fell asleep towards the end of the chapter. It was a great chapter, too! I’m so glad it is Elijah and Edan’s day with Edric. They will have their Taekwondo class and Edric will teach them at work.

This means I only have to entertain two kids today. And since Tiana still naps quite often, then technically, I only have to keep one preoccupied – my curious Titus. So this is a nice down day for me. I just don’t get why I am so tired. Last night I made it a point to go to bed at 10 p.m. as part of my New Year’s resolution to take better care of my health. Despite having to wake up twice in the middle of the night to change Tiana’s diapers and feed her, I got to sleep early and wake up by 7:30. But, this morning I feel exhausted. If I really let myself, I would probably prefer to spend a lot of the morning napping with Tiana.

I can hear Titus making a big mess in the boy’s room as I write this but I’m letting it go. Things are clanging and crashing on to the floor and I kind of want to spare myself from looking in to see what kind of chaos he has wreaked. I’m just happy he is enjoying himself and it will give me time to write.

As I continue on this homeschooling journey, what I am beginning to realize is that one of the greatest challenges any homeschooling mom will face is to master herself – to be disciplined, spirit-filled, self-controlled, and consistent. And the next challenge is training her children to be the same.

The challenge of mastering oneself is no easy task. But homeschooling effectively begins with this. If you want to be a good homeschooling mom or you want to be better, start with taking care of yourself in the physical area. Sleep on time, wake up early, eat healthy, and exercise.

Part of the reason why I am not energetic this morning is because I have spent the last three weeks eating food I shouldn’t, neglecting exercise, forgetting to take my vitamins, not drinking enough water, and surviving on a terrible sleep schedule.  How can I expect to have the energy to manage four kids if I’m running on low batt?

I’m rediscovering the need to be intentional even in the way I keep myself healthy. If I am healthy, strong, and full of energy, it will make the quality of interactions with my children so much better. It will make sure I’m not too tired to read that second and third book that they want me to; I will be able to spend time with them outdoors instead of sending them outside with the househelp; and my mind will be sharp and clear as I teach them.

It’s not easy with four kids. After giving birth to Tiana and having all those female hormones surging in my system, I found that my body became especially efficient at storing fat and craving sweets. Okay, it sounds like a bogus theory. The reality is I am also older and losing weight is not as easy anymore. But, I don’t want to give myself excuses. When I don’t feel healthy, I don’t really feel motivated to do anything. And I don’t want to be the kind of mom that has to drag herself out of bed to be there for my family and to homeschool.

Of all the people in the house, I’ve got to be the one with the extra energy reserves. The demands of a mom are a lot more physical in nature. And put homeschooling on top of that and there is just no way I can do a good job if I am out of shape.

So I have a goal…I’m going to fit into my wedding dress by July 2011. My friend, Tina, said I couldn’t do it and I felt a rush of adrenaline surge through my body at the challenge. My homeschooling year is going to start off with no excuses and physical fitness!