Okay, so let’s get real. I’m a mom. A mom to five boys. Five. That’s a small army of energy, mess, and pure, unadulterated joy. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But let’s also be real: it’s exhausting. Like, marathon-without-training-exhausting. So, how does a woman juggle a business, five kids, and a desire to not be out of breath after chasing down a toddler? The answer, my friends, is a little thing called balance (and a whole lot of coffee).
Life has gotten a bit… soft.
I’ve always been an active person. Before kids, I was that annoyingly energetic friend who was always up for anything. Hiking, dancing, you name it, I was there. My afterwork activities before getting married consisted of playing on a co-ed softball team, hitting classes at the local gym with my besties (hey girls!!) and just overall getting out and enjoying life!
Then came Baby #1, and my world shifted. In the best way possible, of course, but shift it did. I remember looking down at that tiny human and thinking, “Okay, world, I’ve got this.” And I did. But somewhere along the line, my focus turned to being the best mom I could be. Which meant endless snacks, bedtime stories, and playground adventures. And while I loved every minute of it, I also started to feel… soft.
I’m talking about the kind of soft where you can pinch an inch, and it’s not cute. You know, the kind of soft that makes you question if you can still fit into your pre-baby jeans? Yeah, that kind. I went through the classic mom cycle: lose weight, feel great, gain it back, repeat.
I tried every diet under the sun. Yup, I was that girl who lived on grapefruit and cottage cheese for a month. Or the one who swore by juice cleanses. I lost weight, sure, but I also lost muscle. I became “skinny fat”. And over the last 10 years I have continued the yo-yo cycle: get skinny-fat, gain weight, have a baby, gain even more weight, lose it, get skinny-fat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Yep, I’ve done this a lot over the last 10 years!
I want to get strong – for the 6-pack!
But here’s the thing: I don’t want to be skinny anymore. I want to be strong! I want to be strong for the 6-pack! Before you start judging me on this, hear me out. I don’t mean 6-pack abs, I mean my own personal 6-pack, Luis and my 5 boys that make up the MV Squad!
I want to be able to keep up with my boys, to hike mountains, build forts, and wrestle without feeling like I am going to collapse. Even more than that, I want to be a role model for them and to show them that women can be strong, capable, and adventurous. And more than anything, I want to ensure I am strong enough to continue adventuring with them for so many more years to come. And not just the mom cheering from the sidelines, but the mom climbing the rocks and jumping 15ft to the lake below. I want to be that mom for my boys, and frankly, for my future grandchildren too!
When you want something, you go get it!
So, I’ve decided to make a change. This mama has officially signed up for a gym membership at my local www.Crunch.com. Plus, I met this amazing trainer (ex-cheerleader, girl after my own heart!!), Michaela, and this mom is ready to CRUSH IT.
Ok, I do have to admit I am a bit terrified. I’m not even close to the fitness level I want to be so it’ll be a long road. And I feel a bit like a child lost at Wal-Mart in a weight room filled with all of these confidently fit people. But, I will stick with it, I will commit to this, and it will be a part of my life now whether I’m a bit tired after a long night with the kids or not.
And now, we wait…
With my dedication to the 6-pack, I know I will see results. My body will change, but more importantly, my mindset will change too. It’s not about looking good; it’s about feeling good. And it’s about having energy and being able to do the things I love with the people I love.
A couple months from now, my dear readers, I simply cannot wait to share my progress with you. I can’t wait to tell you about the adventures the squad has gone on, the energy I found, or the mood boost I got.
Because in the end, it’s not about having six-pack abs (though those would be nice). It’s about being strong enough to chase down a runaway toddler, lift a car seat, and carry a tired kiddo on my shoulders. It’s about setting a good example for my boys and showing them that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
So, to all the moms out there juggling kids, careers, and a desire to be fit, I say: you can do it. Start small. Find a workout you enjoy. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. You deserve to feel strong, healthy, and happy. And trust me, your kids will thank you for it.
P.S. A huge shoutout to my amazing partner, Luis, who’s always there to cheer me on and help with the kids. I couldn’t do it without you!
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