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5:30 AM and not a creature is stirring… except for a few downward facing dogs.
September 14, 2008 – 11:00 pm
If you’ve been reading this blog for very long, you’ll know that every six months or so I have a life-changing epiphany in which I decide that I must DO YOGA! or RUN SIX MILES A DAY! or LIFT WEIGHTS! or GIVE UP SUGAR! or FILL IN THE BLANK WITH OUTRAGEOUSLY PAINFUL ACTIVITY HERE!
After a few weeks of major life upheaval and misery, I give up on the ridiculous scheme and settle back into my pleasant life of cheese puffs and Gossip Girl.
It must be that time again, because last week I pulled out my credit card and signed up for a 5:30 AM yoga class.
5:30 AM.
(that’s 5:30 in the morning)
Not only does this class meet at 5:30 AM, it does so EVERY WEEKDAY. For a MONTH.
The thing is, I want to take better care of myself. I want to put my health and wellness FIRST. And I find myself getting so excited about the possibility… you know, the vision of me as a YOGI with long and bendy limbs and perfect posture and om-calm who gets up EARLY and gets things DONE and did I mention the long and bendy limbs?
Yeah.
Unfortunately there’s a little thing called reality which, although I try to ignore, always pops in to spoil my plans. For example in this particular scenario there’s the problem that I am rarely in bed before midnight and have a really hard time getting OUT of bed before 8:00am.
So the first morning the alarm on my iPhone goes off at 5am and I swear I am dying. I slam my iPhone (my precious! iPhone!) off the side table with all my strength. If I kept a sledgehammer beside my bed (which, fortunately, I don’t), I probably would have smashed the thing to smithereens.
That’s how happy I am to be waking up at 5AM.
Nevertheless, I drag my weary body out of bed and into stretchy clothes and head out toward the yoga studio.
I’ve taken a few yoga classes, enough to know the drill. Peaceful music. Incense. A quiet and kind instructor who speaks in soothing tones. Soft lighting.
So imagine my surprise when I show up to the studio with harsh fluorescent lighting and a buzzing heater. There is no Enya. There is no harmonious chanting. There is definitely not any incense. And the instructor? She’s an eastern European dynamo who barks out staccato commands about posture! and form! and YOU OVER THERE WITH THE BLEARY EYES, STAND UP STRAIGHT!
This is yoga boot camp.
At 5:30 in the morning.
Kill me now.
I make it to class two mornings. Both days, although I am running on VERY LITTLE sleep, I am surprisingly alert. Calm. Standing straighter and feeling good.
Still, each night as I climb into bed at a ridiculously early hour, I find myself plagued with the inability to go to sleep. I lie there hour after hour thinking, I NEED TO GO TO SLEEP!
And the more I think it, the harder it is.
On the third day, my alarm goes off and I hit it with my sledgehammer-arm, roll over, and go back to sleep.
I remember having a really good rationale for not getting up, but now it seems to have slipped my mind.
On the fourth day I WOULD have gone but I kept thinking about that drill seargent instructor and the lecture that she gave us on the first day about how we HAVE TO COMMIT and she wants to see us there EVERY DAY and… I can’t face her.
It’s true… I’m a coward.
Also my pillow is snuggling against me and I can’t. say. no. to. the. softness.
I’ll get back on the bandwagon next week.
I’m sure I will.
Unless, you know, I have a really good reason not to.
***
Want more on this topic? Look no further than these lovely bloggers:
| 1. Half Step from Crazy 2. Aimee (Journey2learn) 3. Jenny Henny 4. Honey Mommy 5. Rachael (SNOTW) 6. Jackie @ AGSoccermom |
7. geekymummy 8. Write From Karen 9. Hotomom 10. Kerrie 11. Dumblond 12. HeatherY |
13. Mother Musings 14. Malia 15. Eve 16. Kat - Sassy Irish Lassie 17. Spiffy Baby 18. Team Eldridge |
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29 Responses
to “5:30 AM and not a creature is stirring… except for a few downward facing dogs.”
1 Trackback(s)
- Sep 15, 2008: Getting back to me! « Why are they calling ME mom?
By Aimee (journey2learn) on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Wrote my post at 3am. Couldn’t sleep. One of the only times as a mom that there is any quiet in my house is being the one awake when everyone else is sleeping. Thanks for the prompt. It was good to think about what I do for me and what I should do for me.
Aimee (journey2learn)s last blog post..Just For Me
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By Jenny Henny on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
thanks for the prompt - it was a good one.
And are you INSANE? Who the hell wakes up that early?
Jenny Hennys last blog post..Back To Mom
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bananas Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 8:10 am
oh yes, I thought I made that clear.
I *am* very much insane. :)
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By kateanon on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
That’s dedication… good for you
kateanons last blog post..bad news
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By Belle on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
We must be kindred spirits. I do the same thing. I’ve been hanging in with a trainer for a couple of months now but everytime it’s time to go I think of a million excuses why I shouldn’t.
Belles last blog post..Week in Review
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By Tatiana on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Oh my god, I can’t even fathom trying to get my ass out of bed at 5:30 to go do yoga! I scheduled my next personal trainer session for 11am and I’m already regretting doing it in “the morning”. When I referred to the time as morning, she laughed at me and said, “This is an afternoon timeslot, girlie. Morning is my 5 & 6 AMers!”
Tatianas last blog post..Boobies
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By Queen of Shake Shake on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I’ll be derned if I’d get up that early for someone to yell at me like a drill sergeant either. The chick should try some incense and soft music.
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..How a Farting Gapmom Clears the Room in 6.5 Seconds
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By Doll Clothes Gal on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
You go girl!
You’re making me lok bad - I’ll need to get started.
Doll Clothes Gals last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - American Cat
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By Doll Clothes Gal on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
You go girl!
You’re making me look bad - I’ll need to get started.
Doll Clothes Gals last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - American Cat
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By Honey Mommy on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I’ve never tried Yoga. I do get up on occasion to go cycling at 5:30 in the morning now… which is WAY TOO EARLY.
On the bright side, it is dark and no one knows it’s me, right?
Honey Mommys last blog post..That’s Mommy to you, Mister!
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By Jackie on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Yoga hugh. I need to get back into exercising.
Maybe I will give it a try. Maybe not. LOL.
Jackies last blog post..Back to Mom
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By geekymummy on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the prompt, and for your great blog.
5.30am is crazy early for Yoga!
geekymummys last blog post..back to mom
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By Write From Karen on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Yoga? At 5:30 in the morning?? I’m impressed!
Back to mom to me means …
Write From Karens last blog post..Back to Mom
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By Ann Harrison on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi!
I found you through Mom Bloggers Club.
There is something in the air now, isn’t there?
I’ve started doing some crazy-a$$ exercising lately and my body is telling me to stop. Everything hurts!
(This must be a result of seeing myself in our vacation pictures.)
I truly enjoy your blog!
Ann Harrisons last blog post..Sharing Memories
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By supermommy on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
5:30 am!!! I think I was still dreaming about Heath Ledger when you were dragging your butt in there!
supermommys last blog post..You can lead a horse to water…
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By Hotomom on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Yoga sounds delightful it’s the 5:30 am part that made me want to pass out.
Hotomoms last blog post..Getting back to me!
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By Kerrie on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
This is so me. I always want to makeover my life — the idea is usually revolving around writing a book. One time I decided I wanted to write in the morning before work. Well, I had to be at work by 8 and it’s an hour commute. Plus, time to get ready. So, I think I was getting up at 4:30 a.m. to write! What a dummy! I think that lasted a week…if that. :)
Kerries last blog post..Mommy Me Time
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By the planet of janet on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
there’s a spin class at 5:30 that we can NOT go to together …
the planet of janets last blog post..Weekly Winners: September 6-13
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By Dumblond on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
5:30…in the morning…everyday.
Yeah, no way. No matter how healthy I may get in the future (the very distant future) I will not willingly get up at 5 frickin’ 30.
But hey, more power to ya!
Dumblonds last blog post..Shifting focus
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By Reese on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I don’t ever commit to anything before 10am. I know this will change once I have kids, but for now I’m enjoying the freedom of sleeping in until 11am every day because I can.
Reeses last blog post..The ONLY Reason I Would Like To Have Attended a Public High-School…
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By HeatherY on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Go on with your early risin’ downward facing dog self!!! It has to be tough to get up that early! 7am comes to early for me sometimes! :-)
HeatherYs last blog post..Maintaining My Sanity
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By Mother Musings on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
This was my favorite part of your post:
Also my pillow is snuggling against me and I can’t. say. no. to. the. softness.
I smile everytime I read this sentence! I’ve been in the same boat my friend. SAME boat. For a few years I was going to the gym at 5am. It was the only time I could go that got me home by 6am right on cue for our daughter to wake up for the day. It’s tough but do-able.
Good luck!
Mother Musingss last blog post..Am I just the Mommy?
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By Rachael on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Dude, you are awesome. 5:00 AM. No WAY. I’m so glad that the writing promts are back - I love them!
Rachaels last blog post..Movie Monday: The Women (suck)
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By Kristin on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
That’s hilarious. All of it. From your Insanity thinking that 5:30am would work from your mom logic, lol. Love it!
Kristins last blog post..At least the fishies have more room
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By Malia on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
I started getting up early to have some quiet, alone time before the kids got. Only problem is, my son hears me walk down the hall (darn squeaky floors!) and joins me before I’ve even had a chance to turn on the coffee pot! The longer I stay in the bed, the longer he stays in bed. Except for Saturdays, which is why when the TV gets turned off on Friday nights, it’s set to PBS! What? Me use the television as a babysitter? I don’t know what you’re talking about!
Malias last blog post..Back to Mom
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By Kat - Sassy Irish Lassie on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
I tried doing the whole morning workout thing but I can’t afford to keep getting new alarm clocks every week.
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By Spiffy Baby on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
Ohh my.
I feel your pain. I havent been in a gym in years. Every time I make promises to myself like you did, i cant keep up. Lack of sleep is a KILLER. On top of having barely 6-7 hours of sleep, our son wakes up at nights once or twice wanting us to sit by his side. Ohh boy, good luck with your Yoga training…
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By threeundertwo on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
The only yoga I can handle is with my Wii-Fit. After coffee. And a donut.
threeundertwos last blog post..A Picture of Me and All About My Kids
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