On not exercising
I can count on one hand how many times I’ve gone out and intentionally moved my body in a structured way over the past couple months. I can’t even tell you the last time I went this long without structured movement. Postpartum was my longest period at about 7 weeks. Maybe I’ve never gone this long? Which isn’t something I’d consider as positive I don’t think. Life got really busy with interviewing for jobs and traveling and then moving and it’s not as if I couldn’t find time to squeeze in something quick, I could have, it just wasn’t a priority. I’ve never been a morning exerciser, and I’m certainly not now. Sleep always wins. And I don’t want to spend nap time exercising when that’s precious work time. And then I thought between naps would be a great time because there is childcare at the gym I belonged to in Boston, but exercising was just the last way I wanted to spend my time in between naps. And by evening time I’m done for. I want to cozy up in my soft clothes and chill.
After a few weeks of this, I started to think maybe I should get back into something because my body felt tight. But then I realized, what I needed was just a good foam rolling session and 10-15 minutes spent stretching in the evening or morning. As I was observing my mindset shift and my desire for structured movement fade, it became clear to me that exercise just isn’t a priority for me right now. And that’s okay. For me, getting to/from the gym and working out is just not how I want to spend my time during those few hours I have with Cal in between naps. But even beyond that, I just don’t desire to move my body in a structured way on a regular basis in this season of life. I realized how much mental clutter it was causing me to find time to do that. Once I just let it go, I realized how much more mentally at ease I was. I know there’s enough organic movement in my day for me to be healthy.
Our bodies can only handle so much stress. I’ve had a lot of life stress, sleep hasn’t been stellar and I’ve traveled a lot of the past couple months. I think the last thing my body needed was structured movement so it makes sense my desire to do so dwindled. I have recently starting craving yoga, so when I have time (like once or twice a month, but I’ll take it!) doing that is helpful for my mind and body. This is just me external processing what I’ve been observing in myself over the past few months and hoping maybe it resonates with one of you reading. Priorities shift and change I’m learning.
Soup on soup on soup
We got to VA and it was COLD. Like, colder than Boston. It warmed up for a bit, but it’s back in the 20s in the morning. I love winter. It’s my favorite season for many reasons, one of them being comforting food. I don’t like preparing lunch or cooking lunch so if I can just make a big batch of soup at once and eat it all week that’s good. So that’s what we have been doing. Eating soup. Last week I made chili (which isn’t soup but you get it..) and this week I made this chicken tikka masala soup that was very easy and added rice to the bowl because we need carbs over here. Later this week I’ve got plans for this red lentil soup that looks like comfort in a bowl. Share with me your favorite soup recipes in the comments so I can build up my stash.
Our smoothest move yet
The move from Boston to Charlottesville last week went overall, very smooth. BLESS. Our move from New York to Boston didn’t go horribly, but there were a lot more logistical pieces and hiccups. This move though, other than a flat tire on the drive down, went off pretty much without a hitch. Moving is expensive, so when Hire a Helper emailed me right after I wrote this post and wanted to collaborate I was like, “um, yes please.” Think of them like the Hotwire for movers – you use their search engine to find the best deal in your area. It was a seamless, quick process to get a quote and find movers. They showed up ON TIME to our apartment in Boston, which I feel like never happens, and had everything moved out and packed up within a few hours. Nick drove the truck down and his dad drove our CR-V (which got the flat tire) behind him. Once they got to Charlottesville, the movers on this end had the whole truck unpacked in under an hour, but since they were hired for longer, they helped put together furniture. So helpful and so seamless. I’d use them again with my own pennies.
Baby sleep
Thank you everyone for all your 1) baby sleep empathy 2) baby sleep encouragement and 3) baby sleep tips when I posted an SOS on IG stories last week. Hearing “you’re not alone” and “this happened too when we moved” made me feel like… ok, nothing crazy is happening. We took Taking Cara Babies newborn class and loved it and also bought her 3-4 month workbook, but I haven’t moved on to her 5-24 month class because of the price and I’m scared of the crying part lol. But many of you had great reviews so I’m keeping it on my radar! Also, many of you recommended Little Z sleep (a much more affordable option, hallelujah) and she has a podcast I’ve started listening to. Then there were several book recommendations, including the No Cry Sleep Solution. I liked that title (although it seems like an oxymoron) so right now, we are starting with that and making adjustments to our current situation and praying to the good lord bub’s sleep improves. It will be slow moving with this “plan” but I’m hopeful. And hopeful is good! I’ll report back.
Facebook Marketplace is Gold
The house we just moved into isn’t our forever home. And coming from 700 sq feet and into 1900 sq feet we have a lot of space to furnish. So we’ve been scouring FB market place and you guys, this place is gold if you take the time to really search. Highly recommend if you’re looking to furnish a room and the majority of your home without spending your whole savings or going bananas with a credit card.
Ok, those are my thoughts right now. I’d love to hear yours in the comments!
![My [Current] Morning Routine](https://www.thereallife-rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Blog-Title-Graphics-150x150.png)
Hey Robyn I was wondering if you have heard of this weight loss program before? http://bit.ly/2NM6Klo. It looks like a great program to help people lose weight, I was just looking for some opinions before I made my decision. By the way i love the content you have been posting lately,mostly about your routines. Thanks for being such a role model
I’ve also got plans for that lentil soup too 🙂
If you haven’t tried Pinch of Yum’s Instant Pot Spicy Peanut Soup – you MUST. it’s so easy, filling and delicious!!
https://pinchofyum.com/sweet-potato-peanut-soup
I also want to try her widl rice soup https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-wild-rice-soup
I have no baby sleep advice because every baby and family is different. However, I just wanted to tell you that there is hope! My second son did not sleep all night (11-12 hours) until he was nearly one. He will be three on Monday and has been a great sleeper since around that one year mark. My comment won’t make you any less tired, but just know it won’t last forever!
Oh and one more thing! My oldest son, who is five and a half, started sleeping 12 hours by 12 weeks old and has never changed. We are the same parents with the same strategies, but two totally different babies. Don’t put a ton of pressure on yourself to “fix” the sleep problem. Set a good routine and sleep environment and then just let it happen! 🙂
That lentil soup is gold! I also love one from her cook book – a curried cauliflower version. I always add sweet potato to mine too!
And yes, second that spicy peanut soup, along with any and all of Pinch of Yum’s soups.
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What if that’s how I’ve felt about structured exercise since I left the dieting world? I don’t feel like it’s a season but literally my permanent priority (or lack there of). I’d just rather do so many other things and I work from 8:30am to 8:30pm most days. I’ve felt this way for years and feel guilty every season I don’t “get back” to six days a week on a treadmill or even just weekly yoga.
I’m experiencing the same thing! It’s like I’m breaking up with exercise and I’m finally embracing that for me, there’s SO much more to life than slaving away at the gym all the time. Which for me just isn’t living at all. During my sacred time off from work, I want to making memories with friends and family instead of using up all my time trying to change my body.
This is the same thing I am going through! I no longer feel that structured movement is a beneficial thing in my life- the freedom of not being tied down or fitting in a gym session has been life changing. And echoing what you both have said- this feels like a new way of thinking and living rather than a season. I think it’s possible to maintain your health without structured exercise. My muscles actually feel better and stronger now than before!
Love these updates!
Soups to try: Sally’s Baking Addiction creamy chicken noodle soup (it freezes well too!) is always on repeat. Well Plated slow cooker white chicken chili, and Ambitious Kitchen’s turkey chili are also favorites.
We used Taking Cara Babies class for 5-24 and loved it! I have been following Cara closely as we’re approaching the 2-1 nap transition. Her instagram and blogs are great if you don’t want to spring for the full program!
I was going to suggest that lentil soup from OSG – a new favourite around here. I also added butternut squash to it and it was extra delicious! Also love her peanut stew and the once upon a chef beef stew.
Ugh the sleep is so so hard. Have an almost 9 month old and we have also done a ton of travelling and a move. We ended up doing to taking cara babies (we had also done the newborn sleep and it worked great and he only woke 1-2 x/night until the 4 month sleep regression then 7-8 times… sos) so we did the 5-24 months and it actually worked really well and like a new world with him now! I was also scared of the crying but luckily it was not as bad as I thought. Thinking of you in this tired season!
Favorite go-to soup recipes:
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-pumpkin-peanut-butter-chicken-soup/
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-salsa-verde-chicken-chickpea-chili/
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-black-bean-pumpkin-turkey-chili/
Also as a new mama with a 3-week old baby, I just want to say thank you SO much for your constant vulnerability and wisdom in parenting and intuitive eating/movement/living. It means the absolute world!
Hey! I was wondering if you could share where that rug is from? In the picture from your move?
Thanks!
Robyn – thank you for being so honest about this exercising piece!
Here is a yummy soup recipe I’ve recently enjoyed: https://www.panningtheglobe.com/moroccan-lentil-soup-harira/ I did add the tamari and fish oil as noted in the comments!
Hi Robyn,
I have the PDF for the TCB so you don’t have to take the class/pay for it if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Erica
Love your thoughts on movement! So helpful! I LOVE exercise but in between starting a new job and some new medication to manage all the stress – the last thing I needed was to put in a workout in my day. Looking towards getting back into it feels like my thoughts and values about it have shifted. Thanks for sharing!
Julie from peanut butter fingers cheesy corn chicken chili is our go to! Super easy and filling…add tortilla chips for a crunch 🙂
My brother-in-law uses FaceBook Marketplace a lot! 🙂 . I’m so glad you were able to find things you needed there. Also, I LOVE what you shared about exercise. I think that reveals that you have so much freedom Robyn. <3
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Hey
here are some soup recipes:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7730/pumpkin-soup
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3138673/mushroom-soup
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mushroom-potato-soup
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