FollowIt’s been 10 months since I last exercised regularly — a far cry from the days when I used to run twice a day, once at dawn and again after work. But life changes, and so do our routines.
When Maria, my part-time helper, got pregnant and stopped working, I suddenly found myself juggling all the house chores on my own. With her now back in Indonesia to give birth, I’ve had to manage everything — laundry, cleaning, and especially the post-cooking chaos when my MIL cooks. By the time I’m done, it’s nearly 8pm, and I’m completely drained. No energy, no motivation.
But recently, I’ve been feeling bloated, sluggish, and just “meh.” I knew I needed to do something for myself. So, I made a promise: to get back into a regular exercise routine, even if it’s not as intense and long as before.
For the past few days, I’ve been doing brisk walking and intermittent running at 8pm. Just 15–20 minutes, but it’s a start. Today, I even climbed the stairs to my 5th-floor unit after my walk. With the heatwave we’re experiencing, I sweated buckets — and strangely, I loved it. The endorphins kicked in, and I felt alive again.
I’ve come to accept that I may not be able to return to the same pace as before, when I had no kids and full-time maids to handle everything. But that doesn’t mean I should neglect myself entirely. Even 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference. It reduces bloating, strengthens my joints and core, and most importantly, reminds me that I’m still capable of showing up for myself.
So here’s to small steps, sweaty shirts, and a stronger me — one day at a time. ?
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