Working Out as a SAHM

So, I realize this is not the case for all SAHM's. I'll start with that. Because this is my unique case.
My husband and I cannot afford for me to have a gym membership. As much as I'd love one (because, hello! indoor pool for laps!!) I don't want to put us in a poor financial situation just cause I want to stay healthy. So! I have to improvise. Y'all are pretty familiar that I do workout videos and things like that. But sometimes that doesn't cut it. You gotta switch things up!

Granted, some weeks (some DAYS) are better than others. I will say, I can always count on my kids to be my workout buddies.

My at home gym is not as big as other people's but it works for me. On days I don't do a workout video I count on my hand weights and remembering things an old personal trainer taught me. Christine had blogged about using playground equipment to workout. Which is great, when we actually go to the park (but in this heat... yikes!)

I use my coffee table. At least twice a week, if not three times a week I focus on upper body and back. (My back and core is my huge problem areas!) The coffee table is sturdy enough to do inverted push ups. This works my triceps and upper back.
If I push the coffee table against the wall I can also use it for step ups and jumps. Don't worry, I clean it after my feet have been all over it!

I have 5 lb hand weights. I'd love to get bigger ones, since I've gotten to the point where I really need to do a LOT of reps to really feel anything. I'm not complaining too much though, because at least I have them!

Finally, a workout isn't complete with some sort of cardio. I have found a really amazing running partner in Zander.
Earlier this week, we tried to go on a run while he rode his bike. A mile into the run, the chain broke on his bike. We were forced to cut the run short and head back home. Sadly, I had to carry the bike the whole way back because the back tire wouldn't spin. He stayed positive the whole way back. Yesterday he was begging to go on a run again. It didn't workout because Daddy didn't get home until almost 9 last night. That was just too late for a little boy to be running with me! On days we don't run we always do jumping jacks, jump ropes (without the ropes), and other forms of cardio in the house to get our heart rates up.

Of course pictures or it didn't happen

I love that my kids will do all the workout moves with me. Their version of hand weights are some form of dog toys. It works though, right?! At least they're getting the moves down and proper form!

So this week for #BloggersGiveIt100 was a good one. I'm thrilled that I'm constantly teaching my kids better habits. Lets keep this good vibe going into next week!
Are you participating in the Bloggers Give it 100 challenge? Tell us how you did this week! Link up with Lora, Kendra, and I so we can encourage you!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Why I Won't be Working (Just Yet)

I've been getting asked this same question for quite some time. "When are you going back to work?" I realize that most of my readers could care less. In fact, I'm pretty sure most of y'all support me staying at home based on the comments when I announced that I would be staying home. So this really isn't for y'all's sake. This is for mine. As a way to say, "oh you really want to know? Go read this."

Well, the short answer is I'm NOT going back to work anytime soon. Not for at least two and a half more years.

Ainsley is only two. In two and a half more years, she'll be starting Pre-K which of course means FREE as long as we go through the Georgia Lottery Funded Pre-K programs. If I were to back to work before then, well we'd be struggling more than we are now.

Daycare for a 2 year old costs anywhere from $150 to $200 a week depending on where we took her. That's about $600 to $800 a month. Y'all, my rent doesn't even cost that much. My best case scenario for going back to work is after I'm done paying for daycare, I'd have enough to maybe pay my cell phone bill each month. Summary: I'd be working just to pay daycare.

Transportation is an issue. Currently we only have one car. Sure we could make it work with carpooling and things like that depending on where I would find a job. We've done it before. It was also stressful when we did it. Josh's schedule has him going into work at 10 and getting off at 6:30. It worked to get me to work, but not to get me home. I'd rather not think about that right now.

If we were to have another car, car insurance goes up. Y'all, we've already established that I'm broke after paying daycare. Having to pay more in car insurance doesn't make sense right now either. My uncle actually offered my cousin's car (that she's not driving) to me. It'd help out a lot right now, but I had to politely decline. I know what Josh and I can and can't afford (right now especially). Extra car expenses is not something we can afford.

I might not even go back full time. Part time jobs would allow me flexibility to get my kids from school without having to utilize after-school care. This might mean working a weekend or two, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Basically, me going back to work is not right for my family right now. Yes, we're struggling. Yes, we're shuffling bills around. Yes, I'm asking friends and family for help with unexpected life events dealing with the kids, but I know from the bottom of my heart this is what's right for our family. I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record saying this, but I got tired of telling this to family. I'm not about to let our family struggle if it means me going back to work immediately.