A while ago (meaning a few years ago) I wrote a post also called "Routine." Maybe I should have named this one "Routine Revisited"... Anyway, the point of this post is to show how my routine has changed drastically since then! It serves to show the world that even someone as ingrained, as deep into their eating disorder as I was (and I say "was" not because I'm recovered but because I'm less ingrained than before) can make improvements without being on the brink of death or going through intense inpatient treatment or whatever. In short, there is hope!
Depending on the day and what class I'm teaching, I wake up at either 6:00am, 6:30am or 7:00am. The night before (more like the middle of the night before), I have set the coffee maker to brew 5 minutes before my alarm goes off, whatever time that is. Sometimes, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, the only thing that gets me out of bed is knowing there is coffee waiting for me downstairs.
I get out of bed and "Mombie" my way downstairs. You know.. jerky steps, bleary eyes, hair either sticking up everywhere or plastered to my head in places (or both. A great look for sure!). On my way down, I decide what to have for breakfast. This is the first major difference from my routine years ago: I actually eat breakfast. Would I if I wasn't nursing? Maybe. Maybe not. But I am, so I do. This morning I had a Cinnamon Vanilla English muffin with almond butter and honey, a banana and, of course, coffee.
While my English muffin toasts I make my coffee. One packet of stevia. Coffee 3/4 of the way to the top. 1/4 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Stir. Toaster pops, measure out 2 tablespoons of almond butter, spread, drizzle honey on top. Peel banana, place it on the plate so it looks like a smiley face with English muffin eyes and a banana mouth.
I check Facebook, email, blogs, in that order (just like before). After I eat, I go to the dishwasher and get the stuff for the breast pump. I have to pump before I go, especially if I'm teaching Zumba. Jumping around in a tight sports bra with full boobs is NOT comfortable, let me tell you! Not to mention wearing tight bras can cause clogged ducts which can lead to mastitis, and that is the last thing I need to deal with again.
I have to start pumping an hour before I have to leave, which this morning means I'm pumping by 6:30. I usually have another cup of coffee while I pump. Play on my phone or write in my journal while the "wa-woosh, wa-woosh" of the pump provides a comforting background sound. I don't like pumping much... but it's not the worst thing either. My legs fall asleep from sitting in one position for so long. But I make lots of milk so I do it. For one thing, it's good to have a good stash. Also I'm donating milk to a friend due next month with a baby girl, and she can't produce. And for another thing, I'm usually pretty uncomfortable until I pump so it feels relieving.
After I pump I either put the milk in the fridge or into my freezer stash. Corky and Mara are usually waking up around this time. I go upstairs, select my clothes (which differ depending on whether I'm teaching Aqua Fit or Zumba), get dressed and brush my teeth. Pack my Zumba/gym bag and I'm out the door an hour before my class time since my commute is so bad.
Corky's work schedule starts later than mine so he is either still home with Mara by the time I come home after class (like today) or my mom is here babysitting when I return. The exception to that is Friday when I don't teach til 10am and corky leaves before me.
When I wrote the "Routine" post way back whenever, I never ever imagined a morning routine like the one I just wrote. Breakfast?? Breast pumps?? Childcare?? Is this my life??? But it is! And I wouldn't trade it for anything - chaos and all.
