Super-Mom Seizing Her Day!

When speaking to clients who feel guilty about getting back to their fitness routines.. feeling they are taking time from their families..we use this scenario to try to shift their mindset.

When you board an airplane and you have your kids with you, the pilot comes on the audio system and instructs us that in case of emergency that you should place the airbag over your own face and then help those around you. 
Makes sense right? If you are gasping for air you aren't good to or for anyone... well.... the same is true for the physical and emotional health of Moms, Dads and caretakers all over the world. 

If we were to take the pilot's advice and be our very best, very healthiest self then we would be the very best Mom, Dad or Caretaker we could be for our loved ones. The scenario rings true because it IS true. 

Below, one of our very successful members, Jennifer McGill, has been kind enough to share her experiences with the readers of the Patch. Her most powerful line is "I'm learning to make myself a priority" And while Liz, Carl, Stacey and I could not be more proud of Jennifer's weight loss, inch loss and strength gains... It is that statement that is THE most powerful thing she could say. If nothing else, she gave herself and her family an important gift. 

Jennifer McGill:
So, all of my kids are finally in school. Deep Breath! Time to get back to me. When I look in the mirror. All I see is a tired, out of shape mom. I have been swallowed up by the stresses of life and let myself go. I forgot how it felt to really feel good about myself., To eat right and exercise daily. It seemed too difficult. Change is hard. Old habits are hard to break. Could I even do it with 5 children?

Hello Corefit! I had to find help. Not just a class. I needed support in every aspect of my life to ensure that I wouldn't fail. I have been to many gyms and been on various diets but this was different. Corefit has hands on help! The personal trainers help you though workouts and offer nutrition support. I have full accountability in both exercise and diet. They even have a Facebook page that connects people In the program. We post motivational thoughts, Talk about personal struggles relating to exercise or diet, and we even have some Low-carb Chefs in the making , posting many yummy recipes. I love having a support system. Everyone's journey is different and, yet, we can all relate.

The scary part, DIET! The word "diet" conjures up many different thoughts for me. Mostly, living without foods I like, being hungry and/or 'when will it be over'. The Corefit trainer, Joymarie, works with me on a low-carb program. I cook for 7.  I eat most of the foods with my family with some modifications. For example, my breakfast is eggs, spinach and feta with 2 pieces of turkey bacon. my kids just like their eggs scrambled with toast and turkey bacon. So, we are eating the same foods. Another example is dinner. Each week I pick 4 meats/fish that I want to cook. Usually, crowd favorites in my house are tacos, marinated grilled chicken, and London broil. I can cook all of these meals, called "batch cooking", along with side dishes to serve each night.  My kids love potatoes, rice and pasta.  I will put mine over lettuce, add a sweet potato or mashed cauliflower. This  system has created so many great benefits in my life. My family is eating healthy. Dinner just needs reheating, which saves time for mom. My kids are involved with the slicing and chopping of veggies and learning a little about cooking, meal planning and nutrition. Win-win!!

Just as I have had to organize my meals, I have to schedule my workouts. I go on-line to Corefit and sign up for the class/instructor I want to take each day on a weekly basis. I am a busy mom of 5. Believe me, after school activities and sports are so time consuming. The family schedule has to work or my exercise program could fall apart. To ensure it doesn't, I work a week in advance so each day I am active with a day of rest. If its not a class, I walk laps around my kids practice fields, walk the dog several times around the block, or find a way to do some calisthenics. I am learning to make myself a priority.

I have been in the program for 8 weeks. I can feel myself growing much stronger and healthier than I have been in years. The quality of the foods I am eating has given me more energy and has kept my appetite suppressed and satisfied. My family has been very supportive. The kids have more independent  like heating up their dinner. They seem to have adjusted to my workout routine and being without me for an hour a few times a week. Just yesterday, i told my 8 year old that i was going to an evening class. She said," Ok, have fun Mom". Before, I would have had tinges of guilt, like I should be home doing homework and hanging out with them. But now, the time I have is better spent. I realize that I wasn't as efficient and I have learned to budget my time. I feel like they respect me and my time more. That makes me feel great!

So, now, when I look in the mirror. I still see a mom. But, she is changing and has a strong sense of where she wants going. She is strong, determined, and in control of her choices. Everyday we are faced with decisions. Little ones and big ones.  I am now mindful of each decision and what it takes to be healthy and how awesome that feels!