This weekend I have taken some much needed time to myself. Having been up to my eyeballs in nappies, night feeds and tantrums for the last five months, it was time to escape into my own little world for a while. I guess you could say I have been tackling my mental fitness and the more aesthetic side of my appearance as over the last four days I have had my hair done, been out for date night for the first time since having the baby, spent 24 hours on a spa break and filled my face with chocolate and lamb (not together).
All of these treats got me thinking about how important it is to take some time to yourself to recharge your batteries, but mostly how important it is to make a bit of effort from time to time. As a stay at home mother, it can be easy to fall into the trap of not giving a shit about your appearance. I don’t leave the house that often and if I do it’s to go to the supermarket or a baby group – neither of which call for full make up and a pair of heels, so most of the time I am dressed in trackie bottoms or jeans, trainers and a T shirt. My hair is usually tied back and, due to swimming on Monday and Tuesday with the kids and gym on Wednesday night, it is a greasy mess for approximately half of the week. The other day I looked at myself wearing my husband’s unironed T shirt, trackie bottoms complete with sick stain and a greasy bun and thought ‘poor chap coming home to this.’ But my husband doesn’t complain – and, to be honest, would probably question what had been going on if he came home to find me all dolled up – but it’s not a pleasant sight for him to behold after a hard day at work. I would definitely fail at being a 1950’s housewife, where point three in the guide states that I should be touching up my make up and putting a bow in my hair before his return, not to mention ensuring the home is a place of complete calm!
I haven’t bought any new clothes that weren’t functional, by that I mean stretchy post-birth jeans (which I never stopped wearing), maternity clothes, nursing tops, flat shoes and a few T shirts for running around soft play areas in, for almost 3 years. Anything I have bought for going ‘out out’, I got in the sale or from a cheap shop because I knew it wouldn’t get much wear. I was inclined to go down this route again for my date night outfit. Likewise, I was debating whether it was actually worth getting my hair cut and coloured given that I just shove it up 90% of the time. Then it hit me, it is worth it. I felt 100% better having ‘just stepped out a salon’ hair, wearing a lovely new dress (thanks to my virtual personal shopper for the assistance in finding it), getting my heels on and heading out to a good restaurant and wine bar. It felt good to be me, not Mum me.
The following day, nursing a slightly sore head, I went off to Ragdale Hall with one of my best buds. This came about when I was losing my mind a few weeks ago and my husband pretty much insisted that I book a spa break for the best interests of the whole family! This was a blissful 24 hours spent in an unusually quiet and relaxing environment (probably a bit too quiet at times as I got shushed in a quiet zone) where I didn’t hear a peep out of a child the whole time. When we first booked it, my friend was initially concerned that I would be treating the spa break as a detox – being overly fitness orientated and taking all the healthy eating options. Much to her relief, the first thing we did on arrival was a get a glass of bubbles and a chocolate cupcake… and that’s a theme that followed with a bottle of red for dinner and three desserts for lunch. We did do one fitness class in a feeble attempt to balance out the culinary treats, but apart from that it was snoozing, reading, steam rooms, saunas, and a massage and facial keeping me occupied. I needed this so much and am keen to build in a monthly retreat in order to keep my sanity, although sadly I don’t think our bank balance could cope. I’d like to say it was enough chilled time to have made me more tolerant now I’m back at home but it’s not!
To top off the weekend, I spent a delightful day with my family on Monday eating chocolate and a lovely lamb roast dinner. I’ve completely fallen off the wagon this weekend because I’ve been enjoying the rare opportunity to be free and do what I want. I daren’t even get on the scales on official weigh in day but now (a day late) I have been forced to face up to it – thanks to one of my readers reminding me that I had promised to report the good AND the bad. So….2lb on and I think it would be 3lb if I hadn’t got on the scales first thing in the morning and practically strip off to ensure there was minimal weigh being accounted for.
Right, I am back on it today – exercise is key as I begin the four week count down to Tough Mudder.
The biggest lesson I have learnt this week is that making time to yourself time – to get dressed up, to relax, to have a drink, to lounge around – whatever it is that gives you space and makes you feel good – is as important to your overall fitness as diet and exercise. Unfortunately, this plan alone is unlikely to change your body shape for the better but it definitely changes your mental state for the better.
This is my 23rd blog entry. To follow my journey from the beginning, please click here. You can also follow and like my facebook page for all the latest updates.
WedFit Mum 