The Weight Gainer, The Drinker, and The Workout Junkie

I confessed to Kara that I couldn't decide if I wanted to gain weight or become an alcoholic.  She knew exactly what I meant.  When I feel I've spent my whole day wiping counters, and wiping butts, it's easy to find comfort in the cupboards.  


Jack pushes me to the edge for the 100th time?  Cookie.  The house is so messy and scattered that I don't know where to start?  Wine.  I have cleaned the kitchen after breakfast-snack-lunch-snack-empty-the-dishwasher-snack, and now it's time to make dinner and clean all over again?  Chips AND wine.  I get the email saying even though it's 8:30 p.m., my husband still won't be home for two more hours?  Cookie, wine, AND Facebook.  Frustrated with my spouse and the state of the world?  Run or walk--preferably without the kids.  


There are three types of parents: the weight gainer, the drinker, and the workout junkie.  There are more, but I'm focusing on those three. {Others include the over scheduler, the shopper, the phone talker, and the cleaner.}  Being  a parent is difficult.  I swear it's harder than it looks.  I thought it would get a little easier as the kids got older, and in a way it does, but everyone has their coping mechanism. Each of these are fine in moderation, but like all things, can be dangerous when taken too far.    

The Weight Gainer:
It begins with the baby weight--those last 5 or 10 pounds you just can not shed.  Or for the dads, when you get married and are eating all those home cooked meals.  Then you find yourself craving a snack during nap time.  Then you have a second baby. Or a third.  And you start "deserving" chocolate, because that's your "me time."


The Drinker:
The baby is finally asleep, kitchen is clean, and you find solace in the glass.  {Am I sounding too Lifetime Movie Network?}  Girls night out turns into margarita night.  Bunco group morphs into "Drunko."  That play date at the park evolves into happy hour at the park.  It's the weekend.  It's your "me time."


The Workout Junkie:
This one is the trickiest, because you are being healthy. Plus, it gives you a great butt!  However, we all know a parent that is a workout junkie, and is constantly getting a babysitter so they can fit-in their workout.  The workout junkie gets the most kudos, but it's not necessarily better.  You can still use it as avoidance. That is your "me time."


I think there is a part of each of these in me, depending on the season of life.  I think these escapes can get to extremes when, as Marta says, there are too many expectations without support.  My friends who "stay home" all have spouses who work very long hours, and many travel for days at a time.  This obviously isn't the same as being a single-parent, but it feels like it in the moment.  Our days can start at 5:00 a.m., and they don't end at the kid's bed time, because that's when you can finally get things in order for the next day--if you have the energy. 


When we, or our spouse, put too high expectations on ourselves, we risk turning to unhealthy solutions.  So how do you cope?  Do you hit the gym like a maniac and utilize their childcare?  Do you find yourself sinking into the couch cushions once the kids are tucked in, sipping your favorite cocktail?  Or are you more the chips-n-queso type? 


I know what you're thinking.  Stop whining and get over yourself.  Just be glad you get to stay home with your boys while I read your blog from my office.  You have a point.  But I AM glad I get to be with my boys.  I'm not complaining, just being honest.  I know I'm not alone here. 


Photos: Annie's Eats, Dine and Dish, Inspired Fitness