Today, I resolved that I was going to do everything by the book for my new diet, I was going to drink my water, NOT drink soda AT ALL, enjoy my shakes and one sensible meal, and mostly, I was going to exercise. So, after making dinner (that I didn’t eat because I’m not a fan of some Hamburger Helper flavors and really don’t like the one Miss Mack picked out) and cleaning up while the kids ate, I got Bubba into his stroller and we headed out the door.
First of all, I have to add that before putting Bubba in his stroller, I got him ready for bed. I knew that we were going out close to bedtime and was praying that the fresh air would wipe him out a bit. This may become my new favorite time of the day because he was a trooper about going to bed when we got home!
Anyway, Miss Mack asked if she could ride her bike. Sure, why not? Next, she asked if she could ride her bike to school this year. She’s too young to ride alone, so this will be two built in walks for me and Bubba every day. Sure, why not? So, I suggested that we practice riding to school. About 2/3 of the way there, I suggested that we turn around, partly because I realized that this was a long ride for a little girl who doesn’t have her training wheels off yet (shut up, we’re working on it!) and partly because this was a long walk for a mama who is still over 250 pounds and NOT used to taking long walks. Nope, she wanted to go all the way to school. OK, why not?
When we got within a block of the school, Bubba was getting restless. I was trying to figure out how I was going to keep him calm until we got home because once he loses it, he’s lost it and there’s no turning back! Right about then, Miss Mack says, “Mommy, catch me!” and takes off on her bike as fast as she can. Seeing as how we were on a low traffic residential street and no one was outside, I decided to run after her! Oh yeah, have I mentioned that smoking is the vice I still have to get rid of? So, here’s my 256 pound smoker’s backside running down the street wearing jeans, a tank top and a really ill-fitting bra! BUT IT WAS FUN!!!! Yep, I had a blast chasing her! She had a blast being chased. And Bubba just thought it was fun to be going fast, even when the bumps in the sidewalk jostled him.
So, we walked around the schoolyard while I tried to catch my breath and turned to head home. Right away, Miss Mack decides it’s time to play chase again. This time, I decided I wasn’t going to stop until the end of the block. I made it, but was starting to wonder if an EMT lived close because I didn’t have my phone on me! She took it easy on me the next block, then decided it was time to go again. And I was determined I was NOT going to tell her I couldn’t do it because the kids were both having a blast!
Not even half-way home, Miss Mack hit the wall. She tried telling me she couldn’t go any further. I told her she’d have to sleep on the sidewalk then because I couldn’t carry her home. She told me I was mean. I told her I was just telling her how it was. And she found it in her to go again. The rest of the ride home was a bit rough, her little legs were tired! But, when it was all said and done, my little 6 year old rode her bike over 1.5 miles and Bubba and I walked with her. Now, I’m looking forward to getting over 3 miles a day in taking her to school. She wants to keep walking at night too, so who knows how much more active we’re going to be from now on!
I say leave the training wheels on only have them made out of bricks. That will teach her to work mommy so hard.
And I feel you on the quitting smoking bit. I smoked for 10 years and quit 5 years ago, but recently I’ve started “social smoking” and I’m on a slippery slope I feel it.
Stopping by from SiTS.
Nothing like the little ones to get you active!