Think You Don't Have the Time?

Okay, let's face it. A large majority of the folks in Maplewood moved here for a reason, and it's not for the happening night-life (no knock on the local spots, but it ain't Manhattan). If you wanted that, you could've stayed in that shoebox two-bedroom apartment in Park Slope or the Upper West Side.

No, what we came here for was space. A yard and a garage, easy parking and more room to accumulate more stuff. That's the stuff the suburbs are made of. We believe we'll be more active if we can get out of that little space. We'll take advantage of the nature surrounding us, and the more "laid back" lifestyle that comes with it. 

Then we fill up the space. Not just with stuff, but usually a kid or two. Maybe you find yourself with a dog, too. Suddenly that big space isn't as big as you remember when you first moved in. Suddenly the yard is littered with plastic toys. Suddenly all the time you envisioned having to focus on yourself is melting away.

It's the way of the world.

The majority of my clients live this story, and another eighty percent of the people I meet otherwise fit the bill, too. If you're going to have any time to focus on yourself, you'd better schedule it and have some help.

Now generally, I make time in my schedule to take care of myself. Frankly, it's my job. Nobody wants to hire the really fat, out of shape trainer. I also do it because it helps me feel better. Just a bit of time dedicated to myself makes me feel more rounded and more capable of taking on the many selfless tasks of the day. 

But sometimes, the wheels fall of the bus.

This past weekend, my wife traveled to Minnesota for a long weekend getaway with friends. I have my babysitter to help out, so that I can work and such. The morning of my wife's departure, my babysitter called in sick…for the whole time my wife was away. Ugh.

So, one side of this is to keep my business afloat. My clientele depends on me. I depend on them. I've got to find a way to manage that. I get that done moderately quickly thanks to a good friend's selfless offer to help. And yet, I still feel anxious.  Why should I be? I've worked hard to make sure I have a contingency plan. 

Then I realize what it is…I'm not going to have a moment to get my exercise! I'm definitely an addict, but that's not the issue. I can certainly miss a day here and there and know I'm not going to fall apart But I also know that I'm a better dad when I've gotten that part of my day in. 

Then it occurs to me: Why can't I still do it? Look at this as an opportunity, not an obstacle.

So, there I am, every morning in the backyard with my 3- and 5-year-old cuties. I go over the idea—that they can either "exercise with Papa" or they can just play. Their choice. I never push my ideas on my kids too hard. I just try to lead by example.

As I'm doing push-ups and pull-ups on the swing set I built for them four years ago (I've gotta say it's holding up well!), I see my son August emulating exactly what he sees me doing. And he's having fun. Next thing I know, we're taking turns doing shuttle runs up and down my driveway. I'm pretty certain my neighbors on Bowdoin Street probably think we're crazy, but we had a grand ol' time!

So, what if you don't have a swing set in the backyard, or the ability of the trainer to do pull ups?

Well, do you have any milk containers in your house? Before you send them out for recycling, fill them with water: they work quite well for weight resistance. How big are your kids? How much do they weigh? Maybe hold them and do some squats? Or just hold them on your chest and walk back and forth on your driveway. Try that for around six trips and see how your heart and lungs feel, not to mention your legs.

How about picking up your little bundle of joy and lifting them to the sky? How about doing it 10 times in a row? Sounds challenging to me, and they'll be having the time of their lives. You'll also be instilling something in your children; that being active can be fun. Leading by example can be one of the best ways to do it. 

So, back to last weekend. When I first heard I'd be flying solo for four days without help, my brain was swimming…what should I do to keep them entertained? After our little family boot camp on Bowdoin, I had a hard time figuring out how to fit all the fun things I invented.

Now, that's the way to spend a weekend!

Tim Reynolds is the owner/operator of THE GYM ON SPRINGFIELD, a personal training gym located in Maplewood.  Tim lives in Maplewood with his wife, Suzanne, and their two children, August and Sinikka.