Hey friends! How’s your Thursday shaping up?

I am loving how quickly this week has gone by thanks to the Labor Day holiday. And, after a week of battling some type of allergy attack or cold (leaning toward cold), I’m glad I made it back to the gym after a 2-week hiatus.

The only bad thing is…my quads and hamstrings are so sore!

Since I’m feeling like a stiff, old grandma today, I got to thinking about fitness and how it fits into my life lately. Specifically, how my approach to fitness has changed since I’ve become a mother.

Fitness has always been important to me (at least to some degree), but now that I have a little guy looking up to me and depending on my being around, it’s something I prioritize even more. But my mindset is a little different, and here’s how.

How Motherhood Has Changed My Approach to Fitness

1. It’s less about aesthetics.

Not going to lie, it feels good to fit into my pre-baby jeans, but now that I have experienced how miraculous the human body truly is, I no longer exercise just for aesthetics. I know that my son loves me because I’m his “mama,” and that will never change regardless of how I look in a bikini.

2. I need it to keep my sanity.

Before having Bazooka and returning to work, I didn’t truly comprehend how much I physically and emotionally needed regular exercise! If I take a few days or weeks off, I can tell a difference in my mood (I’m sure Mark can, too). Because neither my husband nor I have a lot of free time to ourselves, getting in a good workout during the busy work week is huge for my well-being.

3. I want it to be a family thing.

Apart from my gymnastics, sports and fitness were never a huge thing in my family when I was growing up. Now, though, I realize that exercise and play is crucial to a healthy family life. When Bazooka is old enough, I want him to run races with me. I want to cheer him on at soccer games (or swim meets, gymnastics competitions, whatever…) and play ball as a family. I want our time together to be a positive impact on Bazooka’s physical and emotional life.

4. It’s not always going to fit.

This one seems a little contradictory, but what I mean is, sometimes being a mommy will come first. Sometimes spending an hour at the gym will have to wait if a sick baby needs to be cuddled or if a stressed out dad needs some help around the house. It doesn’t mean that my physical health isn’t important; it simply means that I will have to get creative with my activity and fit more formal workouts in when it makes sense.

5. It is a measure of my commitment to my family.

Don’t get the wrong idea here, I don’t mean that I have to be “in shape” to be a good mother. I simply mean that prioritizing my health and being an example to my son is extremely important to me and how I approach parenting. If I don’t stay active and teach my son that exercise is something he should want to do, then I feel like I’m not being the best example I can be.

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As you can see, fitness is still important to me, but for different reasons than when I was younger. I hope I raise a son who enjoys running, flipping, swimming, and you name it as much as I do!

So tell me…

• Whether you’re a parent or not, how has your approach to fitness changed as you’ve gotten older?
• Was fitness a big deal in your family when you were growing up?

The post How Motherhood Has Changed My Approach To Fitness appeared first on A Cup of Catherine.