Let's talk exercise! The end of this week marks three weeks since we arrived at the YWAM Kona base in Hawaii, and three weeks since I started waking up early and getting my work outs done and dusted before breakfast! If you know anything about me, you know what an accomplishment this is.
Such a big accomplishment that I'm feeling like blogging about it. Ha!
A little context. Noah and I notoriously stay up late and therefore, aren't early risers. It's been a bad habit for us. So this super annoying habit has contributed to my lack of exercise—it's thrown off my daily rhythm. Slow starts to the day really just don't help launch you into productivity. I've often entertained daydreams of waking up early every day to work out. Wouldn't that be nice!? Problem is, I just would never do it.
Cringe!! Excuses, excuses!
But here's some of the reasons we've been staying up late:
1. We have had housemates for years now, a steady stream of guests coming through and friends regularly coming for dinner. So evenings can run late. We both enjoy quality time with people so we aren't exactly adhering to early bedtimes and shooing people out the door. Noah is more flexible than myself with late night hangs. Mostly because he can live off 5 hours of sleep. You will never, ever hear him telling someone to leave or end a hang out on his terms. Quality time is his jam & since he's a night owl, he doesn't mind. He also cringes at the possibility of hurting someone's feelings where I am more matter of fact. "K, love you, buh bye!" But even when I do try to hit the hay early, it's still hard when everyone around me is up. I might be trying to doze off, but they are blasting a movie or coming and going in the hallway, slamming doors, etc. UGH. Light sleeper nightmare. So honestly it's just easier to stay up.
2. Staying up late gives Noah and myself quality time to hang out with each other without a kid around. Have you tried having a lengthly conversation with a preschooler around? All day, everyday we are interrupted mid-sentence. A kid-free conversation or a Parks & Rec viewing session offers a much needed reprieve.
3. Staying up late can give me some sanity-saving time to process my day, spend time in prayer, read, journal, catch up on emails, etc. without anyone bothering me. When I stay up late, it provides much needed introvert time!
Ok. So those are the reasons I've drifted into the twilight zone bad habit of dozing off between 12:30-1:30am. Deep down, I've been wanting to get out of that rut, and I know I haven't been my best self with that rhythm.
Adding to that dynamic has been the adverse affects of my health challenges in recent years. "Sleeping in" was more just about survival—trying to get in a few extra moments of sleep if I had a rough night of scattered sleep. I gave myself that grace to get the rest I needed. And Sparrow was a good little sleeper so it worked out. So rising late meant I lost morning workout time before the babe woke up.
The other factor affecting my desire to work out was when I often had a bad night of tossing and turning, I lacked the necessary motivation and energy to channel my inner Lolo Jones. My body's been weak. My immunity's been low. My sleep was off. I wanted to take it easy. I didn't like the situation I was in, but I was trying to roll with it, giving my body rest and not making myself work out.
And one last major factor that's kept me from working out is honestly because the vibe of where we live just ain't working for me. I've learned that the atmosphere and environment can really affect me. When I go for a jog, I want to feel safe and uplifted—inspired by my surroundings. The birds, the trees, the sun reflecting off a lake or stream. But our neighborhood (and the whole city) has been under construction since 2011 from earthquake repairs on roads and drain pipes and homes. The entire route I used to run in during 2010 was flattened by the quake demolition. Shady people now hang about in those abandoned parts.
And added to that construction nightmare is the reality that we live on the edge of the ghetto. Openly loud domestic fights, people walking with knives hidden up their sleeves, drug deals, break-ins and down and out folks milling around neighbourhoods and parks. I'm sorry but it's just not a pleasant place to go for a jog, any time of day. One of the highlights for me about running is that it brings life. I gain energy and encouragement from taking in beauty around me and having peace of mind to clear my thoughts, tune into dialoging with God, and enjoy the birds and flowers and trees around me. When I feel threatened and on guard, running just isn't pleasant. It's actually stressful. I've wanted to just overcome my late nights and start getting up early to run, but the neighborhood we're in has discouraged me from doing so. Not only have I lacked energy but the environment wasn't worth it to me. One thing that's worked sometimes is that there's a nice park in the middle of the city that I've driven to to run. I feel safe and inspired working out there, BUT as any mommy knows, it's a mission to prep the kid(s), pack up the car, park, and jog with a stroller. It's just not the same as waking early before everyone's up and going for a hands-free, stress-free, brisk run around the block.
Got all that? First world problems, I know.
So that brings us to today. Three weeks into living in Hawaii & I've actually been working out on a regular basis?
Mommy happy. Grin.
It's the best environment. We live on a gorgeous YWAM base overlooking the ocean view a few streets down the hill. It's a safe, spacious base where I can run in peace. Everyone goes to bed early and rises early, so we've adapted to the lifestyle here. Believe it or not folks, I am up between 630-730am every day like most normal people—and often out the door in my running shoes by 7:15-730am. Sparrow and Noah continue to sleep while I run or do an at home workout and they are often stirring awake once I am back and have showered. It's a dream come true!
I've been rotating my routine to running a circle around the base, attending the YWAM Crossfit gym, and working out quietly in my room (abs, arm and leg workouts). I haven't been steadily working out since before Sparrow was born so I am really out of shape, but at the end of these three weeks I already feel stronger and like I have an easier time breathing. The first week was rough!
I've had an increase in energy through the day and am so encouraged to be in this lovely new rhythm. It's so satisfying being done with a workout & cleaned up by 830am. A workout doesn't hang over my head all day like something on my to do list. It's over and done with in the still, quiet coolness of the morning. Give me a high five!
You could pray for me that I'd continue this rhythm for the duration of our stay & that this would serve as a jump start for me to carry this on in Christchurch. One thing working in my favour will be the neighbourhood we will be residing in while our house is being rebuilt. We will be on the nicer side of town that's more beautiful and safe. So my exercise future is already looking bright. Ha!
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