Priorities...

[FitnessGeek1]

Seeming as how the Misc is, well, the misc, thought I'd post this here for some real discussion.

Have a big turning point in my life this summer. My first born will be arriving, I'll be turning 30, AND I'll be finally finishing my B.S. all within the same month. I've already noticed how my priorities and things I focus most my energy on are changing, so I was wondering how you all do it? When your children were born, how long did it take you to get back into your current workout routine (or did you maintain throughout, but back off a bit when they were born)?

My son isn't even born yet, and I'm already trying to find the motivation (energy) to work out....I'd rather spend the time getting the room ready, landscaping the yard so he has room to play outside, etc etc. Going to be an interesting summer.

[Get-n-fit]

Took about 9 years to get back into it...seriously

feelsbadman


I remember when I was in highschool, my youth pastor's buddy was in decent shape, had a kid and then got fat. I thought...how can you do that to yourself, I'll never let that happen to me.....I'll be dammed if the exact same thing didn't happen. But it can sneak up on you when you take a break from the gym, lose extra time and the excuses not to be in the gym come easier and easier. It happens, hopefully it doesn't happen to you, but whatever you do, make sure to spend as much time with your little one as much as possible, bc one thing that is true is they grow up waaaaay to fast.

[Mainer215]

I did the same thing. I was in great shape when my children were small and now my son who will be turning 13 in May is into every sport imaginable and I became a lazy fat slob. Now he is ready to begin learning how to lift and I am doing it with him and trying to get back in shape. Also my daughter is going to college and you never know when you might have to put the fear of the man above into some 20 year old. Anyways it will take a little dedication but just stay in shape for your child to help keep all of those pesky old person diseases away so that you can run and play with them as they grow older.

And congrats on your first born.

[MecGen]

With out doubt....you are in a crossroad of your life. Here on you are going to have to make decisions, some of its going to be made for you, bodybuilding or other.

I can't give you any real advice as I feel at this stage of your game there will be things that only you can decide what best, what I can hope for you is, donnot let your health take a freakin noise dive in the next ten years like so many of us.

Congrats on the new family member, my sincere best wishes.

[m314]

Congrats on the addition to the family.

I don't have any kids, but I know that nothing will stop me from lifting as long as I'm healthy. No matter how busy I am or how tired I get, I have time and energy for at least a half hour workout. No excuses. It's just part of the daily routine. If I'm really that busy non stop from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, I'll work out and sleep half an hour less that night.

[Brackneyc]

Whatever you do, DO NOT "let your itself go," and blame family obligations. You are aware of a potential motivation issue, fix it now. Otherwise, you will be back here later, asking for help. I did it, and I ended up 100lbs overfat. Laziness cost me.

[-=FLEX=-]

I didn't stop training when my first two were born, but I did when my 3rd was born. Only reason is because at the time I was training at home and we had to get rid of my equipment to set up the nursery.

Turned into 7 years off: don't do it man.

Find the time. Make the time.

[BlackSwan88]

Count me as one of those who stopped training with the pidder patter of new feet coming down the hall. Back then, lifting seemed to be mostly about me...as in wanting to look good for my new wife, and girls in general before her.

When I got back into a few years back, it was for health reasons. Now that I'm back into it, I like the way I feel and look.

It's very easy to go astray and let family obligations take over. But realizing that staying in shape gives you more energy and keeps you around longer may keep you motivated.

BTW, you are in for a WORLD of change...some good, some bad.

[FitnessGeek1]

Appreciate everyone's input. Sounds like I can keep motivated in knowing that I'll get more energy by staying active, healthy, and finding time to work-out so I can keep up with the little one running around! What's life without it's responsibilities and challenges, right?

[litljay]

Seeming as how the Misc is, well, the misc, thought I'd post this here for some real discussion.

Have a big turning point in my life this summer. My first born will be arriving, I'll be turning 30, AND I'll be finally finishing my B.S. all within the same month. I've already noticed how my priorities and things I focus most my energy on are changing, so I was wondering how you all do it? When your children were born, how long did it take you to get back into your current workout routine (or did you maintain throughout, but back off a bit when they were born)?

My son isn't even born yet, and I'm already trying to find the motivation (energy) to work out....I'd rather spend the time getting the room ready, landscaping the yard so he has room to play outside, etc etc. Going to be an interesting summer.

7 years for me also.

A young child at home makes it very difficult to have any free time to get away, especially when your wife is running on fumes. You get to not sleep at night, then go to work all day (your wife won't be sleeping all day while you're gone).

[bodyhard]

<------Has 5 kids, 4 boys 1 girl, all 1 year apart, never skipped a beat in my training.

[TJ468]

5 yrs it took me to start getting into a good workout routine again. If you currently go to a gym, think about getting some equipment for home. You for sure will be home a lot more with an infant. When the baby sleeps, go work out and sleep of course. Congrats and good luck, kids speed up time!!

[induced_drag]

Missed a decade. I just blinked and it happened. Too busy chasing other pursuits.

Never too late to come back. Wish I had at least found the time to do something more. Really my biggest problem was I ate like crap for many many years. Lost of sodas, junk food...etc. Heck knowing what I know now, I just could have eaten better and caught a workout or two a week. I might not have made new progress, but I would bet I would be able to maintain pretty well..

[ilovethe80s]

<------Has 5 kids, 4 boys 1 girl, all 1 year apart, never skipped a beat in my training.

sort of the same here, 3 kids all boys (heaven help me haha) very close in age. I trained while babies slept, lots of truncated sessions while they were very young and getting on sleep schedules, but still managed to keep strength levels up considering. Just being realistic in programming helps and staying flexible rather than being an all or nothing type. Because if you do that it WILL be nothing haha. You learn how to get a lot done in 20 minutes.

I still get up at 4am to train so that it doesn't interfere with anyone else's schedule and I am somewhat safe from people waking up. Oh and a home gym is a savior. Even just a barbell and plates you can do wonders with