S/O Moms who look put together

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the moms who look put together, fashionable, and in shape all the time: How much time do you devote to shopping, gym, getting hair and nails done, etc.? How do you manage to fit it in with work and a family? I think it is important to maintain your physical appearance and look good, but it can be exhausting at times!

I have four kids and work full time.

Shopping: I generally go shopping for myself once a year. I am not a growing child so I am never growing out of things and rarely so rough on my clothes. But about once a year, I need either new shoes or a new dress or a couple of pairs of jeans, or a new swimsuit.
Working out: 4-6 times a week.
Hair: I get my hair trimmed about every 3 or 4 months.
Nails: I don't get manicures, unless a friend invites me and it's a socializing thing. I get pedicures about once every two or three months? Mostly I use one of my DD's bottles of nail polish and just do my toes at home. I leave my fingernails bare.

I work from home so am lucky to pretty much make my own hours, aside from meeting with clients. I bring my two youngest kids to yoga with me a lot. If they don't want to do yoga, they sit in the lobby and read/do homework. I'll go swim laps during their swim class often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Not an overachiever by any means. I like to work out and that's the only time to fit it in. Sure I would love to sleep in but I then I would regret missing my workout.

[Anonymous]

SAHM to 3 kids 1-6 yr old. I have great clothes and am tall/thin. I go to the gym a few times a week but other than that I don't have much time for other things. Like PP I def feel over dressed at pick up at times bc I refuse to wear sweats unless I am coming/going to gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Ha ha....definitely not a top school. I am a type A personality. If it is on my list of things to do that day, I do it. I will say that I feel better after I work out in the morning. It just jump starts my day, and puts me in a good mood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

I'd have to agree with this.

+1
It's obvious to everyone but them.

Keep in drinking that haterade. Makes you ugly on the inside.

They can't help it. The very fact that other women have the drive and discipline to get up every morning and work out is terrifying to a fat person. It's much easier to blame lack of time, medical conditions, pregnancy,.... Excuses are like assholes, right? I assure you that I am not at all worried about being "dumped or cheated on". I am far from "insecure". You are correct in that I do have a fear of getting fat because for me that would be a fate almost worse than death. Vanity? Definitely! I take pride in being fit, healthy, and active. Self-control, self-discipline, and commitment are things to be proud of. I might be vain. I earn it every morning at 5am when I roll out of bed whether I feel like it or not, put on my running shoes, and head out the door.

[Anonymous]

1) Have good hair. 2) wear decent shoes 3) nice looking handbag of some sort 4) light make up at least 5) don't wear exercise clothes unless you look great in them (you know who you are!) 6) Keep your clothes organized and you are good to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the moms who look put together, fashionable, and in shape all the time: How much time do you devote to shopping, gym, getting hair and nails done, etc.? How do you manage to fit it in with work and a family? I think it is important to maintain your physical appearance and look good, but it can be exhausting at times!

I have four kids and work full time.

Shopping: I generally go shopping for myself once a year. I am not a growing child so I am never growing out of things and rarely so rough on my clothes. But about once a year, I need either new shoes or a new dress or a couple of pairs of jeans, or a new swimsuit.
Working out: 4-6 times a week.
Hair: I get my hair trimmed about every 3 or 4 months.
Nails: I don't get manicures, unless a friend invites me and it's a socializing thing. I get pedicures about once every two or three months? Mostly I use one of my DD's bottles of nail polish and just do my toes at home. I leave my fingernails bare.

I work from home so am lucky to pretty much make my own hours, aside from meeting with clients. I bring my two youngest kids to yoga with me a lot. If they don't want to do yoga, they sit in the lobby and read/do homework. I'll go swim laps during their swim class often.

You don't work full time. You are cheating your employer and it might be time card fraud. You can't watch kids and work full time it's illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

I'd have to agree with this.

+1
It's obvious to everyone but them.

Keep in drinking that haterade. Makes you ugly on the inside.

They can't help it. The very fact that other women have the drive and discipline to get up every morning and work out is terrifying to a fat person. It's much easier to blame lack of time, medical conditions, pregnancy,.... Excuses are like assholes, right? I assure you that I am not at all worried about being "dumped or cheated on". I am far from "insecure". You are correct in that I do have a fear of getting fat because for me that would be a fate almost worse than death. Vanity? Definitely! I take pride in being fit, healthy, and active. Self-control, self-discipline, and commitment are things to be proud of. I might be vain. I earn it every morning at 5am when I roll out of bed whether I feel like it or not, put on my running shoes, and head out the door.

I'm none of the quoted posters, and I'd like to point out that you definitely aren't quite so secure that you are free from being nasty yourself.

I've accepted that diet and exercise aren't going to change the fact that I'm fat, but I keep eating well and exercising and moving because I feel better. It would be nice if you wouldn't assume that every overweight person has no self-control, no self-discipline, and a complete lack of commitment. You would do well to check your prejudices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

That's what I was thinking too, but I doubt they'll admit that. They'll say something like "I take pride in taking care of myself and don't want to let myself go like the rest of you slobs!"

I get up at 6 or 6:30, not 5, to run. And I rarely wear makeup/do my hair (other than washing it). But I run because it keeps me from feeling bad, physically and mentally. I have suffered from severe anxiety in the past. I discovered that intense exercise keeps that completely in check. So I make sure to fit it in, almost no matter what. Maybe there are some people who make exercise a priority for the reasons you gave, but they certainly aren't in the majority among the women I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the moms who look put together, fashionable, and in shape all the time: How much time do you devote to shopping, gym, getting hair and nails done, etc.? How do you manage to fit it in with work and a family? I think it is important to maintain your physical appearance and look good, but it can be exhausting at times!

I have four kids and work full time.

Shopping: I generally go shopping for myself once a year. I am not a growing child so I am never growing out of things and rarely so rough on my clothes. But about once a year, I need either new shoes or a new dress or a couple of pairs of jeans, or a new swimsuit.
Working out: 4-6 times a week.
Hair: I get my hair trimmed about every 3 or 4 months.
Nails: I don't get manicures, unless a friend invites me and it's a socializing thing. I get pedicures about once every two or three months? Mostly I use one of my DD's bottles of nail polish and just do my toes at home. I leave my fingernails bare.

I work from home so am lucky to pretty much make my own hours, aside from meeting with clients. I bring my two youngest kids to yoga with me a lot. If they don't want to do yoga, they sit in the lobby and read/do homework. I'll go swim laps during their swim class often.

You don't work full time. You are cheating your employer and it might be time card fraud. You can't watch kids and work full time it's illegal.

When did this PP say they watch their kids while working? Learn to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

I'd have to agree with this.

+1
It's obvious to everyone but them.

Keep in drinking that haterade. Makes you ugly on the inside.

They can't help it. The very fact that other women have the drive and discipline to get up every morning and work out is terrifying to a fat person. It's much easier to blame lack of time, medical conditions, pregnancy,.... Excuses are like assholes, right? I assure you that I am not at all worried about being "dumped or cheated on". I am far from "insecure". You are correct in that I do have a fear of getting fat because for me that would be a fate almost worse than death. Vanity? Definitely! I take pride in being fit, healthy, and active. Self-control, self-discipline, and commitment are things to be proud of. I might be vain. I earn it every morning at 5am when I roll out of bed whether I feel like it or not, put on my running shoes, and head out the door.

So, PP was correct.

Fear of being fat
Vanity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

That's what I was thinking too, but I doubt they'll admit that. They'll say something like "I take pride in taking care of myself and don't want to let myself go like the rest of you slobs!"

I get up at 6 or 6:30, not 5, to run. And I rarely wear makeup/do my hair (other than washing it). But I run because it keeps me from feeling bad, physically and mentally. I have suffered from severe anxiety in the past. I discovered that intense exercise keeps that completely in check. So I make sure to fit it in, almost no matter what. Maybe there are some people who make exercise a priority for the reasons you gave, but they certainly aren't in the majority among the women I know.

I get up at 5 because I was in the military and my body is accustomed to it. I also get a lot of shit done between 5 and 7:00 (bottles, iron, breakfast, get dressed) which is when my kids wake up and things get hectic.

Workout: 2x a day. 5am workout at home (30 minutes) and then I take a class at the gym during lunch (30 minutes).
Shopping: online when my husband travels and I can' sleep and I shopped a little during the snow days
Mani/pedis/hair - Hair I dye myself and get a haircut every 2-3 months. I have a ritual every Sunday once the kids are a sleep. I give myself a facial ( scrub/mask) then do my own nails.

[Anonymous]

Key things -- I work part time:

Main one: keep it simple, and dress uniform style in quasi classics that you keep modern with color and little touches. For example, in the spring:

great easy trench over SAHM gear
great casual shoes -- sperrys or like, surega, go with everything
great jeans, skinny or straight, hitting below ankle.
easy comfy shirts, button ups from j crew, striped shirts, tank tops, etc.

work uniform -- pencil skirts from j crew, colorful pumps, sweaters and button ups that can be mixed and matched, great belts and accessories.

Makeup: Go to Trish Mcevoy and invest in a planner and a full set of makeup -- it is easy, simple to apply and flattering light makeup to do quickly. Have them teach you. Their mascara is wonderful, it does not smear or run.

Keep your hair easy cut/color. I have a bob that is good grown out a bit and do highlights, but subtle.

Nails -- every two weeks I go at lunch at work. Hair, same every couple of months.

[Anonymous]

^^ also, I don't shop a lot because I have so many pre kids clothes -- I have a lot of Splendid Ts, j brand jeans ( universally flattering), a Burberry trench, j crew button ups, sperrys, and sneakers. I have a ton of light sweaters from j crew. I buy a new pencil skirt about twice a year and maybe a new sweater. But I know what looks good on me, and I just update it. I always have a great bra. So, I guess I have a good shopping foundation to lay all this on. I built my wardrobe from Nordstrom, Saks and J crew but the pieces are all available almost everywhere. I am a smaller size, a 2, but preklids I was much thinner. I have skipped working out. I would build your basics first, like this:

2 pair jeans, one dark, one lighter
5 basic t shirts, some long some short sleeved, some striped, etc.
denim shirt
button ups for casual and work wear -- wash and iron yourself they last longer
1 suit with skirt and pants, J crew does this
bunch of light weight sweaters
1 great trench
3 pirs of pumps -- nude, black and a color for work
belts, skinny in bright colors
2 pairs of good casual shoes, like cute neutral sneakers
good bras and underwear.

Then you can add pieces and update.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about those "5am workout" moms. Would you generally be considered an overachiever (you went to a top school, have a great, prestigious career, etc) or are you just ambitious in your workouts? What drives you to get up at 5am to workout when you could just sleep in like the rest of us?

Fear of being dumped or cheated on.
Fear of being fat.
Insecurity.
Vanity.

I'd have to agree with this.

+1
It's obvious to everyone but them.

Keep in drinking that haterade. Makes you ugly on the inside.

They can't help it. The very fact that other women have the drive and discipline to get up every morning and work out is terrifying to a fat person. It's much easier to blame lack of time, medical conditions, pregnancy,.... Excuses are like assholes, right? I assure you that I am not at all worried about being "dumped or cheated on". I am far from "insecure". You are correct in that I do have a fear of getting fat because for me that would be a fate almost worse than death. Vanity? Definitely! I take pride in being fit, healthy, and active. Self-control, self-discipline, and commitment are things to be proud of. I might be vain. I earn it every morning at 5am when I roll out of bed whether I feel like it or not, put on my running shoes, and head out the door.

So, PP was correct.

Fear of being fat
Vanity

What is wrong with wanting to look good and not be fat and out of shape? You act like taking pride in your appearance is something bad.

I dye my hair, apply make-up, put on jewelry, and keep my clothes neat for the sake of vanity. Nothing wrong with that.