Hot Moms

Hello! It's been nearly two months since my last post and the only thing I can blame that on is myself! The "free" time I've been finding has been filled with work for the local pageant I co-direct (www.misssouthernvalley.weebly.com) and now birthday prep for Cooper. BUT reading an article that peaked my interest, I wanted to write a little something myself about the topic.
Maria Kang is "just" another mom who works as a business owner, is a wife raising three young boys and likes to give herself, and really her family, something by working out and leading a healthy lifestyle. I first saw Maria's now very viral photo about a year ago in a fitness article about moms getting their post-baby bodies back. I really didn't bat an eyelash because I am interested in fitness and read SO many of these incredible stories. For one reason or another, a year after first posting this photo it is now generating alot of interest and bringing out the good and the ugly in people. You can read the full article here.
I posted the link on my Facebook page and asked others what they thought about it. The picture isn't really what gets some fired up, it's the caption, "What's your excuse?" I GET IT. I get why there are people who are turned off by that- when we see someone doing what we want to do, living how we want to live, having the body we want, the family we want, the job we want- it is easy to find a reason why having those things was easy for that person but we could never have them. They must have someone taking care of the kids so they can go workout in the middle of the day. I'll bet they have a ton of money and can hire a personal trainer. She must not have a job and married some rich guy.
The truth is, it is easier to assume they are lucky rather than hard working.
I will never say that I am overweight because I know that even at my heaviest, in high school, I was never really overweight. BUT when I was in high school and the light bulb went off telling me that I could be in really great shape- that I could make that happen for myself... I lost 15lbs. by simply cutting out the vending machine and doing 20 minutes on an elliptical most nights. And when I gained 50+ pounds during my first pregnancy and 40+ with my second I again realized that I was the only one who had the control to become what I want to be; healthy, happy, full of energy and able to keep up with my growing boys and luck has absolutely nothing to do with it. I am in the best shape of my life right now, but I have goals to push myself to become even better.  Those goals are taking a lot of hard work!
4:45 am at the gym is not luck
choosing lean protein and greens over cheeseburgers is not luck
spending my social time out enjoying people's company and not downing beer after beer is not luck
Fueling my body with real food is not luck
It takes work and truthfully, there are many times that I walk past the pop tarts, the chocolate glazed donuts, the fries and would rather eat that than my apple and tuna. Or I hear the alarm and want to just roll over and go back to sleep.
There are times when I do get that huge piece of chocolate cake to share with someone after a celebratory meal or that I sleep a little longer. But I get my workout in later that day and a dessert  like that is saved for something special so it stays SPECIAL.
Without dragging this on further here's my point.
You should workout and take care of yourself. All of us fitness freaks really do love being healthy and love seeing others healthy as well. If you have no idea where to start, what all those machines are at the gym, what you should eat- ask! Myself and many of my friends would love to help you figure out what would be right for you. Everyone started somewhere and everyone was once where you are.
The "hot mom" and her journey of becoming so fit didn't happen overnight and if you take a look at her Facebook page or website, you will see that she too has days of sleeping in and eating something less than healthy. I think as women we should try to build each other up and encourage successes, what's the point in tearing someone down? Celebrate what YOU can do and aim for progress not perfection.

Comments

Unknown said…
I agree with all your thoughts. There's no substitution for hard work. I've realized that on my own health journey losing 60 pounds. People always want a quick fix, or the easy way but you're right nothing about it is "easy" at first. Going for a run when you haven't run in years is NOT easy. :) It gets easier, and easier but it's still work. And I agree with you, let's build each other up and not tear each other down as women :)
Heather said…
Great post, Jacquelyn! My name is Heather and I was wondering if you could answer a question about your blog! Please email me when you get a free moment at Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com :-)

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