This past Sunday was Mother’s Day. If you’re a Momma, I hope that means you were able to enjoy the day how you chose. Whatever you did, or didn’t do, I hope you spent your day feeling appreciated. I know some days it feels like an unending cycle of getting every one where they need to be, laundry, dishes…making sure every one’s needs around you are met while often putting your own needs on the back burner.
Why is that? Why is it so easy to take care of; or keep commitments to everyone but yourself?
It often begins with pregnancy. I believe most women would agree, that when you are pregnant you would do almost anything the doctor told you if it meant your baby would be born healthy. The doctor says take your prenatal vitamins so you do. She/He reminds you to get a little exercise in. You find time. You’re told to avoid alcohol, so you do. Avoid exposure to different cleaning products, paint fumes, etc? Done. No problem. Don’t take decongestants, even though you’re dying from a cold…doesn’t matter. You’ll suffer through it. Stay away from Sushi because of possible high mercury content in fish…It almost kills you, but you manage. (Okay, maybe that one is only a big deal if you love Sushi as much as I do…)
Breastfeeding. If you choose to go the route of nursing your baby, most likely you altered your diet of foods that could potentially bother your baby, avoided alcohol, continued taking your vitamins…among other things.
So then WHY when it comes to TAKING CARE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH postpartum, do we so often drop the ball?
When do we become so busy taking care of everyone else, we stop remembering to take care of ourselves?
We stop taking our vitamins. Our diet goes to crap. Exercise? Ha, please. You mean running little Johnny to t-ball? Sally to piano lessons? If that counts, well then sure.
If you have ever flown you are probably somewhat familiar with the instructions given in case of emergency. “Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, like this. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children…” Listen closely, ladies. This bares repeating. Place YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST. Let me repeat that. If you’re going to be of any help to anyone, you must first secure your own oxygen mask.
Ladies, I would like to think that your biggest wish as a mother is for you to grow old enough to watch your children grow into successful adults. To watch them flourish through life. Am I right?
I’m here to tell you, if you don’t start making your own health a priority, that time with your children and potential/grandchildren may not be as long as you would like it to be.
I want you to stop feeling guilty for taking an hour here and there for yourself. That’s right. Lose the Mom guilt, NOW. So that you can have more time with your kids LATER. Take that hour for yourself to get in your training. Prep your lunches for the week. Put your vitamins in a labeled pill box for the week so you don’t forget. Sit down and eat YOUR DINNER. Take a bubble bath and don’t be afraid to lock the door. Set boundaries. Not only for your mental and physical health but so that you can be a better mom long term. Then hopefully when you are engaged with your family you can feel more present. Listen, I get it. It can be especially hard when your kids are little. Thats why you need to set that precedence EARLY.
You are more than just Mom. You are a human being who also deserves to be loved, nurtured, and taken care of. Start doing just that for yourself. Now. Begin now.
Do you need help getting started figuring out how to take back your nutrition/fitness as well as figuring out how to take care of you?
I would be happy to help you put an action plan in place.
You can reach me at amber@FirstCapitalGym.com
Now, I’m going to go get my own Mommy/Me time in by getting in a lift. See you at First Capital Gym!