Well On My Way

Monday, May 07, 2012

Honestly, when I signed up for SparkPeople it was sort of half-hearted. I was primarily motivated by the points I received from MyPoints! However, almost two months into this, I am hooked! The way the website is set up, from the easy-to-use trackers to the SparkPoints, really motivates me. I didn't realize how much weight I had gained (I was heavier than I was a couple months after having my fourth baby- yikes!) until I had to dig the scale out of the closet when I registered. I knew my clothes had gotten tighter, but I brushed it off as hormones, water, you name it. The scales do not lie, though, and the numbers were staring at me, telling me it was time to act. My wake-up call was just the start. I have actually found the process to be fun! It is so empowering to be able to enter a lower weight and watch the line on the bar graph go down. It is almost like a game, trying to figure out how I can eat plenty so as not to feel deprived and still stay in my calorie range. I love watching my fitness minutes add up each week and have been encouraged to try out some new fitness activities that I am really enjoying - like beating my husband at Wii Boxing! For the first time in 11 years (when I started having kids) I feel like I am taking care of me and getting stronger, healthier, and happier all the while. Who knew?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KWAJPODGE 5/7/2012 3:29PM

Good for you! You are a great example to me...we do have to take care of ourselves. Keep it up!! Report Inappropriate Comment

The Right Example

Monday, April 30, 2012

As a mother, I am very aware of what kind of message I want to send to my kids about nutrition, exercise, and body image. My kids have been very quick to notice the changes I have been making and have been asking questions, further challenging me to make sure I give the right answers. I have to consider every thought and action carefully, because I want my influence to outweigh all of the messages they are getting from our culture.

As a teen, I became obsessed with being "thin" while dating a guy that was too quick to point out the features he found attractive in other girls when he didn't think I was paying attention. At my lowest, and I mean that physically and mentally, I was carrying only 108 lbs on my 5'8" body. All of the health problems this caused, none of them evident at 16, obviously make me want to ensure that my daughters don't fall into the trap of believing their worth is tied to their weight. However, I have two boys as well, and I know that it is just as important to teach them to respect girls and not get caught up in outward appearances. I want to make sure that my boys are never the ones causing any girl to question her self-worth!

So now, having (mostly) recovered from my unhealthy attitudes about my body and still carrying around some extra pounds after bringing my babies into this world, how do I pursue my goals without making weight and appearance too much of my focus?

A couple of weeks ago my oldest daughter, who is 10, asked me if I was on a diet because, as she explained, she had noticed that I have been keeping track of what I eat and buying different foods. I paused for a moment, and then answered truthfully - "no." Why is my 10-year-old thinking about diets, anyway? I told her that I am trying to eat better to stay healthy. She doesn't need to know that I am hoping to take off some pounds, because I don't want my little girl thinking that is what it is all about.

Today I was driving to the YMCA with my two youngest. When I was asked where we were going, I told them that they were going to play in the playroom at the Y. My two-year-old is all about asking "why?" which he did, prompting me to explain that Mommy wanted to exercise. Again he said "why?" Before I could answer, his three-year-old sister piped up and said "because she wants to be healthy!" At that moment I felt like I am doing something right!