Making it count...

It's been a week since my last blog. I am not slacking but life took over this mama. With school vacation and the stomach bug running amuck in the Papaporfiriou household, writing or taping a blog just seemed wrong. This brings me to something I really want to talk about; balance. I don't mean on a beam or on one foot but juggling a household, children, work and still have time for ourselves? I was talking to a very good friend today who seemed at wits end trying to figure out the complexity of adding health and fitness to her everyday life. I can tell you first hand. It's not easy. In fact, it's sometimes ridiculously difficult. There are times when you wake up in the morning and you just know its going to be a good day. You get dressed and notice your bum seems perky from all those squats. The kids are cooperating. Your hair and make-up are flawless. You go out, find a $20 bill on the ground and you get your nails done courtesy of the person who had a really bad day and lost that $20. And sometimes, you wake up and feel you don't have your shit together. Your child is screaming bloody murder, you are scrambling to get her dressed but you realize her clothes are still in the washing machine. You ran out of your favorite K-cups and you have no lunch for your 8-year old. So, you hop in your gas less car with 20 bucks in your pocket hoping to grab one of those Lunchables at the market. But you lose that 20 bucks somewhere between the gas station and the supermarket. It's not going to be a good day. At this point, working out seems worlds away. How do you do it and still maintain some sort of balance in your life? Men will likely disagree with me. But I really, truly believe women have it harder. We feel that men want us to look great, have a squeaky clean house, no laundry, perfect children and a 3 or 4 course meal on the table when he gets home. In theory, the 1960's barbie doll trophy wife is not far fetched. But in reality, it isn't reality. We are too hard on ourselves. So what if your bed isn't fixed. Does that make you messy? Big whoop if there is a dish in the sink or a couple loads of laundry in the family room. Does that mean you are dirty? And what if there is only Mac and Cheese on the table once in awhile. Does that mean you are not Giada? After my second child, I quickly learned that we can't have it all. But on those really great days, make it count. You make sure it's memorable. End dinner with a little massage for your hard working man and give your kids some treats because they were good. And remember that stash of Godiva chocolate no one knows about? Have one. Life is short. Those really great days will make you a star in their eyes and in your heart. The bad days can bite us. Simply laugh it off like its the opening act for a headlining comedian. Shrug your shoulders and smile. For every bad day, there are several good ones. Moral of the story: you can lose 20 but make sure you lose it working out. Its guaranteed to put a smile on your face.