This photo was of me and my daughter on Mother's Day 2012. I've always wanted to show my daughter an active, healthy lifestyle. She has been my sidekick since birth and spent countless mornings with me at stroller fitness classes I taught for Baby Boot Camp and One Fit Mama.
On that Mother's Day, I felt content, confident, healthy and truly fit. I had worked hard to get there but was reaping the rewards - confidence, better sleep, improved running ability and injury-free. I was about 5 pounds from my ideal weight but it really didn't matter...that body felt strong and healthy.
Fast-forward almost 2 years and I'm not there.
I'm 30 pounds heavier due to an injury and simply poor eating habits. I injured my shin while training in 2012 for the Marine Corps Marathon and had to defer my entry. I stopped running and became a bit depressed. I basically gave up exercising for the most part for several months, but continued eating like a person training for a marathon...not good!
This is not what you would expect from a certified Personal Trainer.
I wasn't walking the talk or leading by example. I was not being true to myself and who God created me to be. I believe my purpose is to be a role model not only for my daughter but for others that face challenges in life - injuries, back pain / back surgery (mine was in December 2009). I was put here on this planet to look and feel as I did on that Mother's Day in 2012. I feel I live my truth when I am exercising and building strength, motivating others to do the same and writing. My happiest moments have been seeing my daughter share the joy of running and exercising and seeing others achieve fitness goals they never considered possible before - running their first 5k, 10k or half marathon, losing 30+ pounds and learning to eat healthfully without dieting.
So, my goal for Mother's Day 2014 is to recreate this image with my genuine smile, and help other Mom's create their own picture of pride and health.
2 comments:
I am right there with you!! Before I had Max, I was my fittest, and also within 5 lbs of goal - feeling my most beautiful, most healthy, most strong. Ironically, I let my impatience with how long it was taking me to get there after I had him derail me, and now he's almost THREE and I'm still 50 pounds away. I have only recently started focusing on making some healthy changes (giving up wheat, limiting sugar, amping up workouts, drinking more water) and although the scale is still moving more slowly than I'd like, I am starting to feel strong NOW. There's no need to wait to feel strong and healthy. We can do things each day to make us feel that way. We are here with you, on this journey, supporting you, empathizing and cheering you on! YOU GOT THIS!!
Feel a lot of those same feelings.... let's get on track together! I promise to sign up for my next race and hold each other accountable! I think you are amazing!!!!
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