Exercise Peace

My babies have changed my body. However, as awesome as he is, my last baby wrecked my body. 

(Aren't they sweet?! ...it's a well timed photo.)

Not like:

"I have a few unsightly stretch marks and my hips are a bit wider..." wrecked my body.

More like:

"I cannot get up off the floor without losing my breath, a tiger mauled my stomach, I'm gaining weight postpartum (not losing), baby blues have turned into full blown postpartum depression, functioning has become difficult..." wrecked my body. 

After three months of wishing for changes, I got aggressive. 

I decided to put my family through what I thought would be financial and time strain. I decided to get a membership at the YMCA to utilize the group exercise classes they offered. 45-55 minutes away from my house. Even $1 was more than what I thought we could afford. My kids would be in child watch multiple times through the week (something I had never done before). I would be packing lunches and driving...a lot. I would have to load and unload the kids...a lot. 

All of those things were daunting to me. (and I didn't even include the ACTUAL exercising)

*Big deep sigh*

But I did it. 

Weekly. 

3-4 times a week. 

I pushed. 

I sweated. 

I laughed. 

I tried. 

I cried. 

I failed.

I grimaced. 

I succeeded. 

My main goals in exercising we're not to look great in a bikini. I find that motivation silly. Pointless. Selfish. 

My main goals were to: 

1. Beat the heavy weight of the postpartum depression that was crippling at times. 

2. Be stronger. 

I did not hate myself. I was not "eating myself to death". In fact, my diet was pretty good. I just wasn't utilizing the benefits that come from exercise. By no means do I look back and think, "I never want to be that person again." That would discredit wonderful things that Lord was doing through me. I just needed to keep moving forward. Allow The Lord to keep doing things through me...and more. 

((((Flash forward 8 months)))

Joining the YMCA was an incredible blessing. 

Turns out...it has become financial gain, instead of strain. I became an instructor!! 

My kids LOVE the Y. 

I don't even hesitate when loading and unloading the kids. 

I am almost daunted when I CANNOT go. 

What a shift!!  

Best part?!? 

I am meeting AND EXCEEDING my original goals. 

 1. Through not only exercise, but fellowship and encouragement at the Y, I successfully managed postpartum depression. 

2. I am stronger than I have ever been! And am working hard to keep getting stronger! 

Bonus...I HAVE LOST 50lbs!!!!! 

For me, the weight loss is not awesome because of how I look, but how I feel. I was carrying around an extra 50lbs. That's more than my four year old weighs. 

You might notice I have not added "before and after" pictures. I do not want you to be inspired by a visual change. I want you to be inspired by changes much more important: mental, emotional, and spiritual changes. 

Yes, the weight loss is exciting, BUT the most exciting part for me is that I have discovered a passion. I have a passion to do for others what the incredible instructors at the Y have done for me. Motivation. Encouragement. General "Hand My Butt to Me on a Sweaty Platter" situations. I want to help moms be okay with exercising. I want to help kids know the importance of caring for our bodies through exercise. I want to encourage someone to push harder. Be stronger. Not for a fitness competition, but rather for the purposes of living life everyday. Being healthier to be able to live bigger. Be used by God more. Show much needed patience...(1 hour of exercising without kids does wonders for patience).

I'm putting this passion into action by teaching adult and children's group fitness classes at the Y. It's tough, overwhelming, and stressful sometimes, but mostly it's just plain awesome. 

I hope you are encouraged by this post. But, mostly, I hope you see that I had a LONG list of seemingly valid excuses. There were a lot of things holding me back. But I pushed forward. And was blessed. Immensely. 

Don't let excuses hold you back. 

Push forward. 

Be blessed. 

Immensely. 

As always, wishing everyone out there Exercise Peace...and Hair Peace!!