I have turned into THEM!!!  Yes, THEM!!  Who are “them” you ask?  Them are the ladies I used to train, teach aerobics to, invite to attend my seminars or who attended my healthy lifestyles classes.  I would talk to them about being healthy, taking time for themselves, eating a healthy diet, getting in plenty of exercise, etc!  In return, I would hear all the excuses in the book…typically something about not wanting to be away from their kids or being too busy to find 10 minutes in the day… or just being too tired to even care!  After all this, they would tell me what they used to be like – fit and healthy and toned…even marathon runners or cyclists or aerobics instructors.  I would just wonder – how do you let it all go?  How do you get to this point? 

 

Let me back up and tell you a little about myself.  I graduated with a degree in Health Promotion from OSU.  I started my career at St. John Health Club and then went on to work at the YWCA.  Even after leaving a career in fitness behind for a career in marketing, I continued to teach aerobics, train the occasional friend and teach classes.  That was until my son was born and then 22 short months later, my daughter.  I literally stopped all of my old activities to start enjoying the two little kids who now dominated my thoughts, my activities and my life!  I recently told a friend that you could tell my life has taken a back seat to my kid’s life by the size of my backseat!  HA!  I am no longer a fit toned aerobics instructor…I am carrying extra pounds, I am tired, I have horrible eating habits and I need to change!

 

Change, I have learned over time, is hard.  Have you ever said something like this – I am going to start eating healthy…on Monday!  Or, I am going to start exercising…after my summer vacation!  I am sooo guilty of that and more.  I started this morning out with a Dr. Pepper and three of my kids chocolate donuts.  NICE!!  I should have eaten the awesome strawberries that are in my refrigerator and drank a glass of ice water – both things I really enjoy!  I promise I am going to start.  One question – what do you eat for a healthy fast breakfast…it has been so long I can’t even remember!

 

In closing, I still have the knowledge I had all those years ago.  I could, in theory, teach a kick butt aerobics class right now.  I could certainly still help you with a plan to reach all of your fitness goals.  I am not as in shape as I was, but I am so much smarter.  I now totally understand how those women were feeling.  The guilt they had for taking time for themselves, the feeling of sheer exhaustion, the overwhelming amount of responsibilities that makes it seem like you really do not have 10 minutes to give to anything or anyone else!  I do not want to be them, so now I have to start to change.  Thinking back to the advice I used to give “them”…Just Do It…do it for yourself, your kids and your husband.  Well, I’m doing it…starting now. 

 

Join me…let’s do it.  Let’s find a balance between being who we were before we were moms and who we are now.  Experiencing the joys of both!  Any advice…let me have it.  I am open for suggestions!  What was left of my Dr. Pepper just hit the trash can and as soon as I hit send, I am off to get a glass of water.  Here’s to the journey….