I’ve been receiving a lot of comments about my weight loss journey this year and the results. Be on the lookout for that post next week! I had planned on writing it for today, but this whole 4 day week thing has had me “a day late and a dollar behind” all week.
But I do have this week’s SECOND edition of Baby Steps to a Better You. Please help me welcome Chrissy back!
Hi guys, I loved reading the comments from our 1st post 2 weeks ago.
This week, I want to talk to you about your “why”, your reasons for losing the weight, or toning up, or just all around striving for better health.
So often we women compare ourselves to our loved ones, our friends, people on the street, and worst of all celebrities. I see so often on Pinterest women pinning what they call “inspiration”. I’m going to be completely frank here, these women you are seeing, these gorgeous, fit, seemingly perfect women have never had a child, they have probably never weighed more than 15-20 lbs more than they do in the photo. And more importantly, I feel, they likely do not have the responsibilities that come along with having children. I remember pre-babies I used to think I didn’t have time for anything, I was sooo busy, then I had children, now I know how hard it really is to squeeze in a 20 minute workout before 9 PM.
The point I’m trying to make here is; do not wish for someone else’s butt, abs, arms, legs, back. Instead, dream of what YOUR body will look like after the work. You do not have Jenifer Aniston’s backside, or her bone structure, or her personal trainer and chef for that matter!
Be proud of you! Look what you did, you created life! You carried something so precious inside of you, you nurtured it with your body for 9 months, you held it in your arms, you give up sleep, food, and sometimes your sanity for that baby/child’s well-being, be proud of that! Don’t look at your body and remorse what it used to be, be thankful for what your body has done.
Now, back to that “Why”. Mine was that I needed to get healthy for my children. I have a heart condition, I lost my driver’s license, I felt useless and pitiful. I didn’t want to use the various drugs the Doctors were “hoping” would help. I knew that if I turned my health around I would be a better Mom, wife and I would be a better Me. It was hard at times, I got scared a few times when my heart rate would skyrocket and I would lose consciousness, but eventually it got easier and blackouts occurred less and less often.
My goal was the fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. And I did in about 6 months. I didn’t take the exercising seriously for so long, I was let my fear of blacking out get the best of me. I would let my fear of my heart condition hold me back from pushing my workouts. But I got over it, and it was so worth it.
What is it that you are striving for? Want to fit back into those designer jeans you bought a year ago? Want to run a marathon? Do you want to just be able to run around with your kids, and actually keep up? Let yourself be selfish here! Find a reason that will sing to you, write it up and stick it somewhere you will see it everyday.
Remember, you are the only person in control of your body, and your health.
Please tell us your motivation in a comment below. Jaima and I want to be your support system!
My Why is the same as yours. I feel like if I could lose this 20 to 30 pounds I would just feel better about myself. I would be an even better mom to my little boy (he’s 3 and I’m still fighting the weight!) and a better wife to my husband. I have an in-home daycare & my first kiddo comes at 6:15 in the morning. My problem is finding the time to work out. I NEED to do it in the mornings so I’m just going to have to suck it up and get up earlier.