Finding that balance in our sport

[Island_Girl]

How do you all do it? I know many of us are Moms and that in itself is a huge task. So then you throw in bodybuiding, gym time, making sure to get the much needed things done in your routine and also taking care of your home. Hubby and children. AND if you are prepping for a show, everything magnifies.

 

[amyfetzer]

It is hard some day’s for sure I get behind on laundry sometimes, or get sick of making my hubby & kiddos real food while I am eating chicken!!! I try to take it one day at a time and go from there & try not getting too overwhelmed with the big picture! Just that day that task!

 

[cw801]

The hardest part for me is on race weekends.....for everyone else it's a weekend of hot dogs, BBQ, junk food and track food.......for me, it's a lot of work to figure out what I'm going to have to take for the weekend, packaging it to be cooler-friendly, and then look like I'm enjoying my raw almonds while everyone else is eating donuts for breakfast. The rest of the normal work week stuff is a lot easier.....

 

[Island_Girl]

I live off of routine. When my routine gets out-of-whack is when I feel overwhelmed the most. So my week-days are mostly always planned. I do most of my work in the morning/early afternoon when kids are off at school. They get home and snacks are made, homework worked on etc... Then I wake my husband up (he works nights) and we all eat dinner and then he and I head for the gym.


Weekend are the most un-predictable at times, but I try to work with it and not against which can cause grief sometimes. lol

I think the most hardest would be when the kiddos have sports and we have to fit in practice and games. It gets a bit tricky, but we get 'er done.

 

[Roxy722]

This is something I have really struggled with this year. I'm a single mom of just one boy but he's a teen and actively involved in sports so between that and working full time and prep, I've really lost my balance this year. I'm just under 2 weeks out currently (and unsure if I will take the stage). I've done a lot of self reflection over the last few weeks as I've found this prep to be completely different then my last one and I think I've allowed it to completely consume me and I'm stressed all the time. It's been an interesting experience and I have learned a lot about myself from the last several weeks.

I rely on routine as well and will generally prepare most of my meals a week in advance and plan out schedules to fit workouts in around other activities. Where I've fallen short this year is maintaining a healthy mental balance, which was something I didn't really see coming. I have not done a good job at taking that much needed "self" time to relax and rejuvinate.

I think balance is such a critical thing and something, as busy women, we will probably always strive to maintain.

 

[Roxy722]

Im in school full time and have to maintain a 4.0 to keep my scholarships, working 40-50 hours a week, training 6 days/week and of course cooking and house work! I cant imagine having children on top of all that. It is hard for women as we have to fulfill so many different roles. I am a perfectionist so that doesnt help. I think having priorities and being able to adapt to change is essential. Sometimes things have to be left undone and I am ok with that.

Wow!! That's a pretty full on schedule!! Good job!

You are so right about being able to adapt to change....I struggle with that and that is when I get into trouble. If something "comes up" I find myself getting really irritated and I have had to learn how to be ok with leaving some things undone. It's amazing what a mental game it can be.

 

[Blondie85]

Im in school full time and have to maintain a 4.0 to keep my scholarships, working 40-50 hours a week, training 6 days/week and of course cooking and house work! I cant imagine having children on top of all that. It is hard for women as we have to fulfill so many different roles. I am a perfectionist so that doesnt help. I think having priorities and being able to adapt to change is essential. Sometimes things have to be left undone and I am ok with that.

 

[Island_Girl]

The hardest part for me is on race weekends.....for everyone else it's a weekend of hot dogs, BBQ, junk food and track food.......for me, it's a lot of work to figure out what I'm going to have to take for the weekend, packaging it to be cooler-friendly, and then look like I'm enjoying my raw almonds while everyone else is eating donuts for breakfast. The rest of the normal work week stuff is a lot easier.....

I hear ya! It is hard to watch others eat all the foods that you can't eat. I sometimes get down on myself, but I quickly remind myself that this is a choice and I immmediately pick back up and put a smile on my face.

Props to you for packing your food and being prepared! Got to do it!

 

[Island_Girl]

It is hard some day’s for sure I get behind on laundry sometimes, or get sick of making my hubby & kiddos real food while I am eating chicken!!! I try to take it one day at a time and go from there & try not getting too overwhelmed with the big picture! Just that day that task!

omg laundry! I swear our hamper is a bottomless pit! Sometimes I feel the need for Merry Maid.

 

[Island_Girl]

This is something I have really struggled with this year. I'm a single mom of just one boy but he's a teen and actively involved in sports so between that and working full time and prep, I've really lost my balance this year. I'm just under 2 weeks out currently (and unsure if I will take the stage). I've done a lot of self reflection over the last few weeks as I've found this prep to be completely different then my last one and I think I've allowed it to completely consume me and I'm stressed all the time. It's been an interesting experience and I have learned a lot about myself from the last several weeks.

I rely on routine as well and will generally prepare most of my meals a week in advance and plan out schedules to fit workouts in around other activities. Where I've fallen short this year is maintaining a healthy mental balance, which was something I didn't really see coming. I have not done a good job at taking that much needed "self" time to relax and rejuvinate.

I think balance is such a critical thing and something, as busy women, we will probably always strive to maintain.

Being a single mom is not easy. I've been there and it is hard. Is there anyone close to you that can help out when needed? I know your closest friend would be more than happy to help out with some little things. I had to learn to reach out for help when I needed it.

So how come you don't think you will be competing? Be careful with stress. That is so not a good thing when prepping for a show.

I hope things calm down a bit for you so you can re-adjust some things around and find the balance that you need.