The term muscle mommy circulates social media. Fit moms in their cute tanks and so on. Though I currently dont claim to be a muscle-mommy, I would consider myself a fit mom.
We’ve always been an active family, fitness is important to us and we enjoy the outdoors. We hike, ride bikes, run, lift weights and so on. I’ve been on a bit of a health and functional fitness journey. My health tanked in the winter of 21/22. Ongoing stress, two decades of under-eating and over-training were wearing me down. The virus that shall not be named was sort of the straw that broke the camel’s back. You can read more about that here. I have been consistently moving and increasing my food intake for the past 2.5 years. I walked 5,000 steps outside everyday until I was cleared to workout. Then, I started with an at home fitness program called Jennarate Fitness and used my old faithful- Les Mills Body Pump . Then I began to miss the social aspect of fitness so I joined a local functional fitness gym. Ive had a lot of fun at the gym but this summer I have been reminded why it’s so important to stay in shape in general but particularly in a functional way.
Fitness helps me be a better mom.
The term “Muscle Mommy” circulates social media and while I do not claim that, I would say Im a fit mom. A mom who values fitness, and it helps me to be a better mom. At the end of June, my kiddo had an accident at practice. He could not put any weight on his leg. A dad of another player helped me get him to the car but then at the ER I lifted all 100 lbs of him from his seat in the car to the wheelchair by myself. The good news is that his leg wasn’t broken, after a few weeks of rest he’s back to almost 100%.
It felt good to know that had there been no one to help me, I am certain I could have carried him the whole way to the car. But like, what middle school boy wants carried to the car by his mom? The answer is none. Staying active and strong helps me be a better mom and caretaker.
Fitness Forever (Or at least til I can no longer move).
Earlier this week, my sister and I were walking while my son was at practice and witnessed an elderly man get hit by a car, I took off sprinting to help him while she dialed 911. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured. The man who was struck by the car was 82 years old and honestly didn’t need much help getting up. Which drives home this point that fitness is for everyone, even more. He was out walking at 82 years old, getting his steps in. #fitness
I’m glad I was able to sprint and offer assistance and I’m glad he valued movement enough, that even into his 80s, getting hit by a car seemed to be no big thing. It also led me to consider fitness while aging.
Both of my grandmother’s stayed active and fit well into their 80s. My great aunt is 97 and still lives independently. I hope I have that kind of longevity! A book I have loved on this topic is Strong Forever by Dr Gabrielle Lyon.
Fitness = Connection
I don’t need to be the thinnest mom, which is good news, because I am not. I’m not too concerned with that, but rather that I am able to be an active and present mom. Boys are incredibly active, and they connect through play. As they get older that play turns to competition, so I have found. Good thing for my kid, I too am competitive.
I can still out sprint my 11 year old and I’m proud of that. I can wrestle him and hoist him in the air, although I do leave most of that the wrestling to his dad. Every now and then I pick him up and carry him up the steps just to make sure I still can. In case of an emergency or something…. and because he thinks it’s hilarious that I’m hauling him up the steps. When he has excess energy before bed, we have family push-up contests that my husband always wins.
There will be a day, not too far off, where he will be faster and stronger than me, I’m aware. But it’s fun to give him a run for his money while I still can. It’s a way to connect. He likes to try to beat my husband and I at pretty much everything. And he’s getting really good at some things, which is fun to see.
Maybe the idea of family fitness seems really out of reach for you. I’m sure there are ways you could start implementing fitness even if a family push-up contest is not your thing. You could start going on walks after dinner. And working up to the pre-bedtime family wall-squats. Kidding. But you get the idea.
Fit Mom = Better Mom
There are a lot of ways that staying in shape helps women be better moms. Stress management, improved self-confidence, endorphins, better body image and improved overall health can all lead to better mom-ing. I suppose I should throw in here I’m not a doctor, so talk to yours before starting any fitness plans.
I think one of the best outcomes for me personally is that working out hard, and toward specific goals can really help bring clarity to my mind when there are 100 things screaming for my attention. Additionally, I think caring for my body honors the Lord.
When it all comes down to it, I want him to remember I was a mom who jumped in the lake, swam in the pool, hiked the trails, raced him to the car or to the door, rode bikes, lifted weights, and sprinted. Valued my health so I could be active and present with him. I hope he remembers that I worked hard for myself, and by extension, for him.
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