A Message to Mom's!

To all the MOM's who have ever felt uncomfortable in a bathing suit!

I really feel the need to share something that I wish I would have realized sooner…

SUMMER is here, (did it sneak up on you too???) It’s hot out, we wear less clothing, the kids probably want to go swimming or to water parks which means even LESS clothes…. in PUBLIC <<GASP>>….if this thought terrifies you or makes you uncomfortable, I UNDERSTAND and I can completely relate!

But that is the point of my message….as mom’s sometimes life gets busy and our health/fitness takes a back seat, maybe you are working on your fitness but not at your goal yet (raising my hand!!), maybe you have stretch marks that make you self-conscious, I do!! Maybe you have loose skin in your belly from pregnancy that no matter how much you work out it WON’T go away…..(you guessed it, I’m raising my hand AGAIN!!) Trust me when I say, I GET IT!!

BUT here is the thing…..your body, or often times your perception of your body (let’s face it, we are our own WORST critics) shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying your kids!! 

I can PROMISE you that NO ONE at the pool will remember what you look like in your bathing suit BUT your CHILDREN will remember Mom playing with them, spending time with them, and making summertime memories!!! 

SO PLEASE enjoy the precious time you have with your kids, go make some memories 100% CONFIDENT that you are a great MOM and 100% CONFIDENT that your kids need you JUST as you are!! heart emoticon 

And please, please, please remember, your body does not define you and YOU are BEAUTIFUL just the way you are, if you don’t believe me, go ask your children!!!

Please feel free to share if you know someone who could use the reminder!!

If I hear the word MOM one more time.....

MOM’s – do you EVER feel this way?? 

Like if you hear the word “Mom” ONE more time you’re running away and changing your name??

If you do, you’re not alone!!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being a Mom more than anything, but sometimes I feel like that’s ALL I am!

This morning after I finished up my workout, my daughter wanted me to play with her so I did for a while...we colored and played with her little pony’s but the whole time I couldn’t help but think of ALL the other things I have to get done today...and sometimes it just feels like there aren't enough hours in the day!

And I thought to myself “If I HAVE to color one more picture I’m going to go crazy!!” …..

Then I STOPPED myself right there – and instantly felt really GUILTY for feeling that way –

Then I took a deep breath and I thought to myself, you know what… I don’t HAVE to color with her or play games with her, I GET TO!!! And someday I’m going to miss hearing her little voice saying “mama do you want to play with me?”

It’s really all about perspective! And sometimes I need to remind myself of that and thought maybe someone else could use the reminder too!

So for now, we play – the work isn’t going anywhere!

Fearless!

Since the sun finally decided to make an appearance, my little one and I went outside after dinner to enjoy it! 

While she was riding her bike, she turned quickly and ALMOST tipped over, of course the mom in me told her "Be careful!!" ....to which she calmly replied - "It's okay mama, if I fall down, I just get back up again!" 

Which got me thinking - WHY is it that children can be so FEARLESS yet so many adults I know are afraid of so many things? (myself included!)

Babies are born with NO fear, it is learned! 

Children are so relentless and determined - just think, they have to learn how to crawl, walk, talk - and it's definitely not easy!! They fall down, they get frustrated, they get hurt.

BUT they don't give up!!!

Giving up is NOT even an option! And no matter how many times they fall, they get back up and try again!!!

WHEN does this fear take over? Fear of failure, fear of what other people will think, fear of TRYING, fear of change?

As a fitness coach I have heard it many times - "what if I can't _______" (you fill in the blank, I've heard it all) 

My question is WHAT IF YOU CAN?!! -

 I don't know about you but I'm more afraid of "WHAT IF" than "OH WELL" - at least I know I will have TRIED!

We only get one chance and we don't get anywhere by staying in our comfort zones!

Go live your life FEARLESSLY!!