Our new gym.

Last night I was lying in bed with Chowder curled up next to me, and suddenly I rolled over and woke to this sharp sharp pain in my arms.  What on earth is happening?! In a half awake state, I thought maybe the cat had bit me, or possibly someone was in our house, robbing us, taking my child, and stabbing my arm
Well, a mother worries.
Turns out, I am just extraordinarily out of shape, and the 45 minute yoga class I had taken that morning was making itself known.

It was pretty shocking for me to feel so incredibly butt-kicked after one Sunday morning yoga class.  There was a time when I was doing yoga 5 days a week.  When I was younger I was a competitive gymnast, and swimmer.  A dancer, too.  

So, how on earth did this happen?  

You know, when you become a mommy, you realize what it means to live an active life.  I have never considered myself really out of shape, especially since Violet was born.  If I'm not literally carrying all 30+ lbs. of her around like a pack mule, I am constantly running after her, or pushing her in the stroller...  bending down, standing up, lifting up, lifting down, etc.....
But, here's the thing:  it is not a complete self that I have been exercising.  It is the mommy-self, with the mommy muscles, and the mommy endurance, which isn't nothing...   but all of my other muscles; my body in its complete form; as well as my mind, have been feeling a bit neglected lately.
We all know how important exercise is, but I am realizing that the key to feeling better is actually taking the time to exercise in a way that is 1) intentional, and 2) enjoyable.   It's giving myself the gift of a true full body workout that has nothing to do with errands that need running, or being a mommy; Not allowing myself to be satisfied with two weekly turtle-paced walks to the library with Violet in hand.

In short, Tyler, Violet, and I are joining a gym.  This is big news for us.  It was a more complex decision than one might initially think--

Our goal was to find one with: 

1) childcare 

2) yoga and step classes (for me :) 

3) a pool  

And, (here's the tricky part) it had to be affordable.  Like, REALLy affordable.  

Also, scrupulously clean--  or at least appear that way.  I have a bit of a phobia of dirty gyms.   

We went on a bit of a gym hunt, and this is the gem-of-a-gym that we found.  It's a YMCA in Shoreline.  A little farther away than we had hoped for, but really only a 25 minute drive if we go in the middle of the day or weekends (which is what we're planning on).  

I think it's going to be really good for all of us.  Physically, mentally, a few steps in the right direction.  Also, they offer tons of classes for kids as Violet gets older-- swimming, dance, soccer....  all very fun.