I have to admit that working out these days is like pulling teeth – for a couple of reasons.

Still trying to figure it all out, it looks like I have a combination of adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues wreaking havoc on both my energy and my stamina. I’ve given up on the regular doctors and have decided (finally) that enough is enough. If I can’t get out of bed long enough every day to get some exercise, get my work done and have a life with my family that doesn’t involve sleeping most of every afternoon - something has got to be done.

The first thing I know that I have to do is re-eat.

I’ve already had to take caffeine, sugar, wheat and dairy out of my diet - and strangely that has helped a lot in terms of resetting my system. But, now I suspect it’s time for something a bit more clean.

5 Things I am Cutting Back On Right Now:

1. Butter,

2. Breads, tortillas, anything that is super carb-heavy (they make me so sleepy),

3. No Sugar,

4. No Coffee, and

5. No bananas or high-sugar fruits (much like the carbs, the crash is horrible).

We don’t eat a whole lot of meat to begin with, but I’ve started cutting back to two or three days a week. I’m pretty sure that popcorn, butter and all things that clog up my system are going to need to go for a while too, until I can regain some sense of energy and vibrancy.

But, there seems to be only so much I can actually do for myself. It’s got to be more about doing something for the rest of the family too.

We’ve got the tiny person hooked up with lots of physical activity – skating, dancing and more. I just can’t bring myself to have her keep seeing us sitting there while she runs, skates and twirls. It’s become about ensuring that the whole family has things to do.

Right now, until I can get all of the rest of this in check, it’s going to have to be something that doesn’t slay me – swimming once a week, regular walks and getting out onto the ice rink together.

They get us out there, doing things together, working up a bit of a sweat and enjoying our space. The nap afterwards seems inevitable and I’m seriously struggling with it right now. It’s so hard to say “I’m going to work out” by myself and then be asleep an hour after being done. That doesn’t fly well in the family time universe.

So, right now, getting fit is about making sure all of us are getting some sort of exercise, together. Hopefully in the near future the exhaustion will begin to make the turn and we can pick up the pace from there.

5 things that are helping us keep exercise in the mix as a family:

1. Catch an hour or two at the pool,

2. Make sure we get out for a long walk at least twice a week,

3. Plan errands around walking,

4. Go skating together, and

5. Walk to and from school.