For the longest time, I was the reigning queen of couch potatoes. Late mornings? Absolutely! Breakfast was often a few (okay, four) chocolate Pop-Tarts, and my idea of a night out was binge-watching Friends with a hefty bag of Doritos in hand. I mean, why change when you’re perfectly content with your cozy routine?
Sure, I was never overly distressed about my appearance or fitness level, even though I consistently wore “plus size” jeans and found myself gasping for air after climbing the two flights of stairs to my apartment. At 25, I tied the knot with a man deeply involved in the fitness industry. He had loved me just as I was—a couch potato since we met at 18. So, I figured, why fix what ain’t broke?
Fast forward to 28, when I had my first daughter. The couch potato lifestyle seemed like a logical choice for a new mom. By 31, I welcomed my second daughter and, nine months later, decided to tackle my first half marathon. Spoiler alert: I loathed every single mile during the first half of training. Sure, I was doing it for me—especially since those pesky pregnancy pounds were hanging around—but my daughters became my real motivators.
My oldest was a ball of energy, and I felt like I was lagging behind. The youngest was a spirited little one, and I needed the stamina to keep up with their antics. I wanted to show them what it means to be strong and confident. On race day, when I hit the wall at mile ten, it was their adorable faces in the crowd that pushed me to keep going.
In our household, “skinny” doesn’t enter the conversation; instead, we emphasize being “strong” and “healthy.” I steer clear of discussions about weight loss or body image because, let’s be real, the world will bombard them with that soon enough.
At 33, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant with a son. Suddenly, I had a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and a newborn, plus a husband busy launching a new business and my own struggle with post-partum anxiety. I thought about dropping my running routine, convincing myself that I’d already shown my girls what strength looks like. But then it hit me: I needed to set an example for my son too.
He’ll grow up to be a boyfriend, a husband, maybe even a dad. Just as my daughters need to see strong women, my son should understand that women can be powerful and capable. I want him to choose a partner who values strength over appearance. When he becomes a father, I hope he encourages his daughters to embrace sports just as much as his sons.
It’s easy for moms to focus on being role models for their daughters, but let’s not forget our boys! They’re forming their ideas about relationships based on what we show them. I want all three of my kids to recognize the importance of health and to feel empowered in their abilities. And hey, if they want to indulge in that fourth chocolate Pop-Tart every now and then—who am I to judge?
For more insights on parenting and self-care, check out this post on intracervical insemination and learn about your options. And if you’re curious about home insemination kits, Make a Mom offers great resources. If you’re navigating fertility questions, UCSF has excellent information that can help you out.
Summary
I transitioned from couch potato to a more active lifestyle primarily for my kids. Getting fit wasn’t just about me; it became about being a strong role model for my daughters and son. I want them to understand the importance of health, confidence, and that it’s perfectly okay to enjoy life, including a fourth chocolate Pop-Tart every now and then!