Back to 26 in 36 weeks

Wow – How ironic is it that it took me 36 weeks to transform my 36 year old body back into its 26 year old form? That realization makes me see, literally, just how hard we mommies have to work to look our best!

In August of last year, I turned 36 years old just as we were preparing to celebrate our youngest son’s first birthday. Throughout the entire summer, I struggled to balance the needs of my three children with my need to find time for physical exercise. I agonized over how challenging a third child made each day, forcing me to continually redefine my priorities, while, at the same time, honoring my vow to regularly use the gym. There was never a shortage of excuses to skip the gym. Dinner, school work, dishes, laundry, bed-time routines, baths, bed, etc., etc. Everything and everyone but me came first. By the end of the day, I was absolutely exhausted and couldn’t find any time (or reason) to satisfy my personal needs.

The only way to make myself accountable to AND for my own health was to hire an athletic trainer at a local Fredericksburg gym to help whip this mommy’s butt back into shape! For 12 wonderful weeks, I was physically and mentally devoted to reclaiming my youthful appearance, overall fitness level, and most important, just being the BEST I could be. I made it through the intense workouts and dietary changes by taking it one day at a time. I no longer ate table scraps all day to keep my body fueled for my busy schedule. I began making sure this mommy got her veggies, fruits, water, protein and all of the other necessary foods to provide nourishment, strength, and focus. In the beginning, it really wasn’t about how I looked, it was the self realization that I was in horrible shape after enduring the details of my initial fitness testing. I looked okay but my body fat, endurance, and overall fitness level had declined sharply compared to before I had children.

Let me just say the commitment I made to myself was so strong, nothing would, or could, stop me from reaching my goal. It took an enormous amount of sweat, tears, pain, and devotion to make it to the proverbial finish line. BUT, in the process, I gained a heck of a lot more than just a size 6. I showed my children that mommy is important; that mommy needs to be healthy; and that mommy CAN do it! If I can reach my goals and achieve great personal success, you can too! It just takes confidence, and with each obstacle you crush, the increase in self-esteem will carry you through the next challenge. Self doubt is the ONLY thing standing in your way.

When I turned 36, I literally could not run 1 mile. This past weekend, I ran 13.1 miles with over 5000 Fredericksburg locals. Many of those runners were Moms, just like you and me!

What you should take away from this post:

1.ANYTHING is possible if believe in yourself and find that reason.
2.SHOW your children how to achieve goals. It’ll mean a lot more than just telling them.
3.ONE day at a time is really the only way to overcome obstacles.