Throughout my twenties, I embraced the life of a dedicated couch potato. Late mornings? Absolutely. Breakfast consisted of sugary pastries, and my evenings were spent glued to the couch, indulging in snacks while binge-watching sitcoms. While I was never deeply unhappy with my appearance or fitness, I did notice my jeans were consistently in the “plus size” range, and I often found myself out of breath after just a couple of flights of stairs.
At 25, I tied the knot with a fitness enthusiast who had loved me just the way I was since we met at 18. I didn’t feel the need to change; after all, he seemed more than happy with my laid-back lifestyle.
When I became a mother at 28, the couch potato routine felt fitting for a new mom. By 31, I welcomed my second daughter, and just nine months later, I found myself training for my first half marathon. Initially, I hated every single mile. Sure, I was motivated to shed some of the extra pregnancy weight, but the real driving force was my desire to keep up with my energetic daughters. My eldest was three, and I quickly realized I couldn’t match her enthusiasm.
On race day, as I wavered at mile ten, it was the sight of my little girls cheering me on that pushed me to keep going when I felt I couldn’t. I want my daughters to grow up knowing that “strong” and “healthy” are far more important than being “skinny.” I consciously avoid discussions about weight or appearance, as the world will throw those pressures at them soon enough.
Fast forward to age 33, and life threw me a curveball with the unexpected arrival of a baby boy. Suddenly, I was a mom of three—juggling a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and a newborn—alongside a husband launching a new business and battling postpartum anxiety. I questioned whether I could continue running. After all, I had already shown my daughters the importance of strength, right? But I realized that I needed to be a role model for my son, too. He deserves to see that women can be strong and confident. I want him to grow up appreciating a partner’s potential and self-esteem, rather than just their appearance.
So many mothers focus on being role models for their daughters, but we must also model healthy behaviors for our sons. I want all three of my kids to understand the significance of health and the idea that they can achieve anything. And yes, I want them to feel free to enjoy that fourth chocolate pastry every now and then!
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In summary, my journey from couch potato to active mom has been driven by the desire to be a role model for my children. I want them to understand the value of strength and health, while also enjoying life’s little pleasures.