“I wish I worked out less.”
“I wish I wasn’t so fit.”
“I wish I didn’t like exercise as much as I do.”
Have you ever heard these statements from anyone? No?
Neither have I.
Those who live active lifestyles typically want to remain
active, or get even more active, never less. It isn’t any wonder why. Science
tells us that exercise is highly beneficial not only for our physical health,
but for our mental health as well.
Most of us are fully aware of the multitude of benefits we
can receive from having an active lifestyle. So what is the difference between
those who work out regularly, and those who don’t?
Mindset, of course. You have to want the active lifestyle
more than you want whatever is keeping you from it.
Active mothers are an especially interesting group. Moms
tend to be so busy taking care of everyone and everything else around them that
it is hard to understand how they could add fitness routines to their lives.
But talk to any active mom and they will tell you – working out regularly helps
their motherhood.
I actually talked to five different mothers and found out
their ‘whys’ and their ‘hows’ for their fitness lives. As an active mom myself,
my goal here was to motivate readers to get moving.
We are living in a stressful time. My sincere hope is that
this blog post motivates you to implement some healthy self-care in to your
life.
Meet my active mom friends, and find out what drives them to
be fit!
Syreeta, homemaker and mother of three, Round Rock, TX
“When I started, [working out regularly] it was helping with
my mental and emotional health, as I needed an outlet for personal time while
caring for my family. Eventually, I fell in love with pushing my body and the
physical aesthetic that came along with it.”
 |
Follow Syreeta on Instagram! @madame_re_re
|
“I’m often asked how I found the strength or energy to make
changes to my lifestyle after the babies. And, honestly, it took getting up and
pursuing fitness to give me the strength and energy to keep going. I suffered
from depression after my third child. I needed something just for me that
helped me feel more like myself and improve my appearance that I was less than
enamored with at the time. So for two hours at the gym, I could tune out the
world, turn up my music (not kidz bop or Sesame Street), and burn off some
really good energy. It was the best ever!”
Syreeta brought up that a part of her motivation was
improving her appearance that she was “less than enamored with” before. There
is a big vanity argument to working out. It would be dishonest to leave it out
of a fitness post. Looks are not everything, of course. But they are a driving
force in the desire to be fit. I don’t know anyone who wants to look in the
mirror and be unhappy with their reflection. When I first met Syreeta, it was
at the gym. She wears crop tops and I told her that maybe one day I would have
abs like hers, if I continue working out like I do! I told her how motivating
it was to see her because she has serious definition in her core and you can
tell just how hard she works by looking at her. Syreeta was gracious enough to share
with me that she didn’t always feel the way that she feels now.
Check out Syreeta’s transformation:
 |
| If this isn't motivating, I don't know what is. Syreeta is a force! |
Selina, home-school
teacher and mother of three, Leander, Texas
“I know I am more emotionally stable and have increased
peace when I exercise regularly. My mood is always more predictable when I
prioritize time to move my body and elevate my heart rate.”
“When I came to the doctor after the birth of our second
child, he could tell by my symptoms and mental state that I had postpartum
depression. He wrote on a Rx pad that I needed a gym membership to guarantee
regular exercise. He knew that daily
walks with a stroller were not going to be adequate enough to give my body and
mind the healing and care they required. After two weeks of daily workouts, I
felt like a new person. It was life changing. I never stopped training after
that time in my life. Daily exercise is a priority in my calendar.”
Jill, part-time environmental engineering consultant and
mother of three, Hutto, Texas
“Exercising is really for my mental health. I notice when I
don’t exercise, I tend to lack motivation to do the things I need to and I just
don’t feel as up beat. The days I manage to exercise (earlier the better) tend
to go much better!”
Audrey, partner trainer at Camp Gladiator, CPT and mother
of four, Hutto, Texas
 |
| Follow Audrey on Instagram! @audreyclairefitmom |
“Once I get in a few workouts I feel energized by them, I
crave them and I look forward to them as both a break and a stress release. I
also am motivated to be fit and healthy which keeps me eating healthy and
getting in workouts. I like to be happy with what I see in my pictures. My life
can get very stressful and overwhelming – exercise makes me happy and that is
motivating!”
Rebecca, Ohio Dominican University student (pursuing
master’s) and mother of two, Columbus, Ohio
“I feel that if I didn’t stay active during this time that I
would probably go crazy. I am a very extroverted person and I love being around
people. I am currently in PA school and we were pulled from our clinical
rotations when the stay at home order was put out. I went from hardly ever
being at home, to being home ALL the time. Not to mention our university
decided to give us a bunch of busy work for the time being, plus I found myself
trying to teach a freshman and a fifth grader to do their work. It was an
interesting first few weeks and many frustrating tears were shed from all in
this house. But, I did find that the mornings I would get up and workout it
really put me in a better mood and I felt like I had more patience throughout the
day.”
It turns out, fitness is not only a crucial form of self-care
for us moms (which in itself trickles down to be a benefit to our children) but
it is also a wonderful example for our kids. Naturally, we want for our children to lead healthy, fulfilling lives not only while they are in our care but beyond the nest as well. How are we teaching them that?
“When I see [my kids] making good food choices, and trying
to join in while I’m exercising, I know I’m going something right. And for
that, for them, and for myself, I’ll continue to make better choices.”
-Syreeta
“I love being a good example to my kids. They enjoy working
out with me and they see the importance of fitness – a value I want them to
hold throughout their lives.”
– Audrey
“I love that my kids see me working hard with my fitness
goals and achieving them. After my knee injuries I had gained quite a bit of
weight. I set a goal after I was healthy to lose the weight I had gained. It
wasn’t easy . . . it was much easier to put on than to get off. But, with a lot
of discipline and hard work I was able to lose 35 pounds! My kids watched as I
went through that journey and they were able to celebrate with me when I hit my
goal. Seeing them excited that I was able to reach my goal only motivated me to
set more! I love that I can show them what hard work can do!”
-Rebecca
So, how do these moms do it? What are their routines? Covid-19 has closed gyms and
changed all of our lives. Here are these fit moms answers to their ‘hows’
before and after this change.
Syreeta
Before covid-19: “I
went to the gym three days a week for at least an hour.” After covid-19: “Now .
. . I try to do 20-30 minutes of HIIT, [high intensity interval training] three
days a week and add random light weightlifting with dumbbells as often as I
can. I would much rather go to the gym. I love lifting heavy weights! But I
just try to do what I can while we shelter in place. It doesn’t always feel as
productive, but it’s better than nothing.”
Selina
Before covid-19: “I was signed up for a training program
that included HIIT training, cycle classes, and weight lifting.” After
covid-19: “Daily walks, resistance band training, online TKD classes, bike
riding.”
Jill
Before covid-19: “I went to the gym and participated in
group fitness cardio and weight lifting classes. I became part of a core group
of girls that went to the gym together. We took classes together pretty much
5-6 days a week; mostly in the mornings after the kids and husband went to
school and work.” After covid-19: “Now that the gyms have been closed, I’ve
been taking cardio and weight lifting classes online through a streaming
service. I meet with my gym girls about once a week for a social-distance legit
run or cardio routine. I’ve realized how much working out at a gym or with
friends motivated me now that I have to do this on my own. Now I get up really
early to get my workout in before 8 when [my husband] ‘goes to work’ in our
home office and its time to help the kids with school.”
Audrey
Before covid-19: “I would go to Camp Gladiator workouts –
usually in the morning at 8:30 after dropping my older kids off at school. I
would have my two youngest with me. Baby in the stroller and the older one
would exercise next to me or play next to me on the adjacent playground. I
would also go to the gym occasionally and utilize the childcare or go for a jog
with baby in a jogging stroller.” After covid-19: “Now I’m actually working out
a lot more! I don’t have to pack up the kids to go anywhere – I just go out to
my garage and do a virtual Camp Gladiator workout in the morning before kids
are awake or during the day at naptime. I have gone on a few walks and jogs and
also stay active during the day with the kids playing, cleaning, and having fun
in the backyard.”
Rebecca
Before covid-19: "Funny story - I had knee injuries that required surgery that kept me from being too active for almost all of 2019. So, at the beginning of 2020 I was feeling healthy and strong and was finally able to get back to working out. I was involved in a mom's running group where we would meet a few days a week in the morning for a 3-5 mile run and then get coffee afterwards. It was great, you get a good workout in, plus a therapy session with your friends. Finding a group [like that] has made a huge impact on my life. It's a group of women supporting other women. I have met so many wonderful ladies in this group, who have changed my life in so many ways. I am grateful and I hope that others have groups like this in their area and are able to find as much motivation and joy from it as I have. I also had a CrossFit membership where I would go to 5am workouts 3-4 times weekly. I loved the camaraderie that the gym provided, and I also loved the weight lifting aspect of CrossFit." After covid-19: " At first when the stay at home order was put out and the gyms closed, I felt a little defeated. I was just getting back into working out and I was worried that this was going to be a set back. I knew I could still run in my neighborhood, but I was worried about running alone. I had been running with friends for a long time and I was worried I wouldn't have the motivation to run alone. But, after the first few days of quarantine I decided I'd keep a schedule and make sure I made time for me to workout. I get up at 5:30am and I either run or makeup a workout that I can do in my basement with the gym equipment I have at home. Thankfully I was an exercise science major and I had to create several group workout classes during my time in undergrad. I had accumulated quite a bit of workout equipment, like TRX, bands and dumbbells. I've even being doing box jumps, but instead of having a box I jump up on the stairs."
Has this virus given you MORE free time? This may be just what you needed to get started in your own fitness journey.
Misery enjoys company, y’all. But so does happiness. Active
people want others to be active too. This is why you might see people sharing
their walks, virtual workouts or their run routes on your social media feeds. They
want for you to join them. They want for you to share how you are being active,
too. It is a way of connectedness in this new normal of closed gyms and staying
home all of the time. It is solidarity.
If you’ve been looking for a sign that YOU need to start
getting up and moving more, HERE IS YOUR SIGN. Start today. No, seriously. Start
today.
Your heart and your mental state will thank you immensely.
Tell me, how will you jump-start your active lifestyle? With
a walk/jog? With a YouTube workout? Feel free to comment below and allow us all
to cheer you on. You are about to make yourself so proud!
Until next time . . .
 |
| True story - I'm off to work out after hitting POST. Tell me in the comments how you will move your body today. Huge thanks to Syreeta, Selina, Jill, Audrey and Rebecca for sharing with all of us. And thanks to YOU for reading my post today! <3 |
Comments
Post a Comment