My mom was never a healthy person. This lead to her leaving this earth far earlier than she should have, at the age of 58. Liam was only four months old when she died. One of the lessons I took from her death and the void is left behind is the need to me to be healthy. I need to do everything I can to live longer than my own mother.
Diet and exercise are my biggest struggles. My “all or nothing” mentality is my other enemy. Four years ago, I lost my baby weight, almost getting down to my wedding weight. I did this by running on our treadmill three to four times a week and counting every calorie, keeping myself at about 1,200 calories daily. Yes, I measured out two tablespoons of hummus and counted forty Goldfish Crackers. This wasn’t sustainable, and the weight crept back. Over the past few years, I have made great strides to get out of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally.
Over the past few years, I have made great strides to get out of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. My big recent leap is joining BRG. When it finished, we made the decision to participate in weekly runs at the store. I knew I needed more to maintain the progress I worked hard to achieve. I tried running on my own, but it is difficult during the summer when Liam and I are home all day. We tried going out with Liam on his bike while I ran along. He was too fast, and I am too slow.
Liam is obsessed with his Ninja Skills classes. We decided to sign up for a Color Run obstacle race. He’s walked 5Ks with my husband and me. We frequently hike and go for long walks. I knew I needed to get him ready for the three miles of running. We headed to the Rocky Point Walking Path and decided to do the path in walk/jog intervals. We’ve done it a few times. He loves it!
Race day came. While I was thankful for a cooler day, it down poured and stormed, forcing the path to be evacuated. We were able to complete about a third of the race. Liam ran the entire way. While his self-doubt needed to be addressed a few times, he tried every obstacle we encountered.
I’ve always known I wanted to be a mother. Never could I imagine that my child would become my workout buddy. We practice yoga, run, and climb on playgrounds together. I am so thankful that I am instilling a love of activity in him. Hopefully, this love will carry him through adulthood.
World's Okayest Runner 