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There are so many reasons I love being a fit mom
1. I get to re-live my childhood.
I love feeling young again. I get on my bike and head out to the nearest big hill and glide down it as fast as I can wind blowing through my hair and suddenly I am no longer 38 I am 8 and my bike becomes bright red with a banana seat and a little license plate with my name on it.
2. I help my children be brave.
Last year our family went to Disney World. My one child was afraid to try even one ride. I hate roller coasters myself, but I came to that conclusion only after having ridden a few. With the mindset of “If God can strengthen me to run 26.2 miles surely He can strengthen me to last a few minutes on a roller coaster” I looked into my child’s eyes and said “pick any ride in the park and I will do it with you”.
I just did one ride, the child went on to do 100’s over the next 4 days.
3. I build memories with my children
The day mom braved the roller coaster is still talked about weekly in our family. So is the time I jumped in the pond to swim with them clothes and all, oh and the time I braved the high dive just because my one child wouldn’t and again once I went they went on to do it 100’s of times.
4. I am a role model
I want my children to keep their temples in good shape so they can serve the Lord to their greatest capacity. I want them to believe that aging does not mean residing oneself to the sidelines that one can still grow physically as well as spiritually and mentally as they age.
5. I have energy to keep up
I once was not fit, and I remember how horrible it felt to drag myself through the day surviving off of sugar and caffeine highs that only resulted in horrible zombie like crashes.
Once I became fit I noticed my energy level is a steady go go most days from sun up to sun down which means I can keep up with my kids and whatever they need of me each and every day.
If you are a mom out there desiring to be a fit mom, it starts with a goal.
What do you want to be able to do with your children right now that you can’t? What have you always sat on the side lines watching when you really wanted to be doing it? Make that thing your goal.
Next snail pace out the the steps to that goal. Moms are busy, fitting in huge sweeping changes is not going to work for most of us.
Example: Since childhood I have always wanted to run a marathon. After children when I started getting fit again I made it my goal. I started first running the distance between telephone poles, then I ran my first mile, months later my first 5K, a whole year later my first 1/2 marathon another whole year later my first 26.2 marathon. It took me three full years to make it to my goal.
The key to reaching fitness goals in the busy world of motherhood isn’t trying harder it is trying smaller.
This concept reminds me of a verse in Matthew “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move”. Little things can make great difference.
If you like this post you might want to check out my How To Become And Stay A Fit Mom Series
Other Posts In the How To Become And Stay A Fit Mom Series
Why I Love Being A Fit Mom And How You Can Become One Too (you are here)
How To Become And Stay A Fit Mom: My Story
The Number One Secret To Creating A Fitness Plan That Sticks
5 Ways To Make Fitness A Priority
Ways Your Friends Can Keep You Fit
The Number One Killer Of Sticking To A Fitness Plan
10 Ways Thrifty People Exercise
Fitness Motivation From Around The Web
Has it been so long since you exercised you don’t know where to start? I started with a walking DVD by Leslie Sansone, it let me easy back into fitness gently. (of course you should check with you physician first before you start any exercise program)
Has it been so long since you exercised you don’t know where to start? I started withBecome A Snail Pacer
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I love your perspective in this post! I used to be a fit person pre-mom and people who know me today do not know that I am unfit but I know and miss it. I don’t know if that makes sense but I really needed to read this post. I have become so unfit in the past 2 years and just submit to my lack of energy. You made me think about something that I am watching from the sidelines that I would love to be doing with my son. I know I just need to just get myself in the shape I need to regain my energy I once enjoyed. After that, I think I will train for the mini-marathon I’ve always dreamed of accomplishing and give myself a goal of really doing it in 2014. I smiled reading about you imagining your childhood bicycle too. Thanks for another inspiring post!
Great post! I love the realism. I needed it today as the need to lose 20 lbs really hit home (yet again) this morning when I got dressed. 🙁 Thanks!
I can completely relate to this post. I haven’t been able to get back to my pre-baby weight since having my last child. I can tell the difference in my energy level. I feel sluggish half way through the day and have an endless supply of coffee in hand.
I planned some weight loss strategies for myself this year but so far they haven’t been very successful. I like your idea of starting small. It may be easier to get motivated each time I complete one little baby step.
What an inspiring post! Every mom should read this! Thanks for sharing your encouragement and wisdom. I especially loved the story about you braving the roller coaster with your kids!
Up until the last five years, I have always been a “fit” mom. However, major life events have caused me to be, well, “un-fit.” Thank you for the incentive to get back to exercise and healthy eating. God bless ~
i love long distance running! i run at least three a summer:)
I love this post. I totally agree and this is what most of my blog is about. I am trying to get parents to pledge time with their kids to be more active. Join up if you can:
https://www.facebook.com/events/146612428833326/
I needed to read this post. (as I drag my exhausted body around work here this morning!) Like a lot of you ladies, I was in much better shape 8 years ago when it was just my son and I. Since I remarried and had two more kids I have lost out on a lot of “me” time as well as developed a thyroid problem which sucks away energy, tanks your immunity and packs on weight. I WANT to get moving again. I guess I just need to take that first step again. Thank you for the inspiration
You are such a motivation. Thanks for linking up. My readers loved it and you were one of the most viewed posts last week.
Holy foam-jumping mom, Batman, I love this post! Tell me that picture is you, please? And was it taken at a trampoline park? (Are they called ‘parks’?) I was at one of those last month; it was such a blast.
Disagree about the roller coaster bit. Riding roller coasters is strictly dad’s job in my house. Otherwise my kid is totally gonna just think roller coasters are for making you vomit.
Thanks for inspiring me to go off the high jump, though, one day in the future!
Yes that is me!