Feb 2

Feb 2 It's fun to stay at the YMCA

I am someone who genuinely enjoys working out (except in 1st & 3rd trimesters of pregnancy), but I’m here today to tell you about the true benefits of having a YMCA membership: CHILDCARE.

But Jessica, I hate working out! Uh, do you like sitting down? Do you like eating? Do you like reading free US Weeklys that someone left by the elliptical machine that you definitely didn’t work out on but had to pass by on the way to the bathroom while someone else watches your babies???? Then Yes! The Y is for you!

There is no reason NOT to have a Y membership. You can take your kids there for 2 hours at a time. Now this doesn't mean you can drop them off and then peace out to Target for awhile, but you can still be without children for 2 hours! And because there are different shifts of workers in the morning and the afternoon, you can take your children there for up to four hours a day if you’d like. FOUR HOURS!! I’ve never actually done this but I’ve been tempted. Many times. One time I did go to a Zumba class in the morning at one Y, then went to a different Y in the afternoon. And just sat in the lobby. Work that beautiful system, baby!

Now, l recommend getting a citywide membership based on where you live because not all YMCAs are created equal. You have to decide what’s important to you. When not pregnant, I like to swim, so my preference is based on who has the better lap pool & comfiest chairs. In pregnant cases, it’s all about who has the comfiest chairs, as well as a cafe. #priorities

Once you’ve decided location, then it’s all about where to sit once you get there. I can’t state this enough - the chair has to be comfortable, there must be good cell reception for texting friends, and you want to be isolated enough so that randos don’t try to chat you up because goodness knows you’re not there to be social, you’re there to be alone! Thus, that quickly eliminates the women’s center (ie room where only women work out) because it’s filled with grandmas who won’t stop talking and take up all the prime real estate. I mean, they’re old, but I’m pregnant. Who deserves the chair more??

How often we go to the Y, and what I do once we get there, depends on my mood, how crazy my children are acting, & how stretched my round ligaments feel. I usually do one of three things upon arrival:

Drop kids off at childcare and walk 20 feet to red comfy chair. Proceed to sit there for an hour.
Drop kids off and walk to cafe, order food and proceed to sit there for an hour.
Drop kids off, exercise for 30 minutes, THEN sit in red comfy chair for an hour.

Sitting in those red chairs right outside Childwatch is like hiding out in plain sight. My children are only 50 feet away but I can’t hear them & they can’t see me! Perfecto! The only time this close proximity can become a problem is when you have to go to the bathroom. At the Y we frequent, you have to pass by the childcare window & the ladies may think you’re ready to pick up your kids when you’re clearly not, so avoid eye contact & run before they call out your kids’ names and sound that false alarm!! As I get more pregnant, it’s difficult to be as stealth-like so I just try to move as fast as possible before they spot me. You can hide behind potted plants that line the wall if necessary. I did that once to avoid a run-in with my toddler who was also taking a bathroom break. #closecall

Even though the Y offers childcare, I know it can still be hard to get motivated to go to the gym. That's why I like to change it up! Here are some different scenarios for your visits:

Drop off children at childcare.
Sigh deeply as euphoric feeling settles in.
Aimlessly walk towards gym.
Get on treadmill for one minute.
Mom calls, get off treadmill to take call.
Talk for 15 mins by pool.
Decide it’s hot (or cold), go inside, run into cousin and chat for 10 mins.
Decide it’s too late to go back to treadmill, besides you've been walking around talking so it's like you were on treadmill this whole time.
Sit in cafe and text/read/peruse web.
Pick up kids, order lunch for them, and then finish their French fries.

Or:

Drive through Chick Fil A (#secondbreakfast), eat in car in YMCA parking lot, go inside, drop children off. Finish Dr. Pepper while sitting in hallway & watching others walk to group exercise classes.

Another good option:

Drop kids in childcare then meet up with other pregnant friend in cafe. Proceed to order Dr. Pepper and mozzarella sticks. Settle for peanut butter crackers because the kitchen’s not open yet. Hey, Café, pregnant women don't care if it's not 11am yet!

Lastly:

Don’t even bother with exercise gear. Go in street clothes, bring kolaches inside (#defiance), and enjoy hearty snack. Do not be deterred by judgmental stares.

See? The possibilities are endless!

I started my blogging career like 2 seconds ago, so no, I am not yet being compensated to write this post about YMCA membership. But for optimal health and mental mommy wellness, you should really consider it. See you at the comfy chairs!! Just don't sit too close to me.