Featured Article: Moms In Action

AUTHOR: NPAA ATHLETE PEGGY CAVE

Being a mom is a very tough job, we are faced with so many challenges, lack of: sleep, time, support, resources and most of all we have the “mommy guilt”.  Trying to get in shape and compete when you are a mom is even a greater challenge.  

When I embarked on my mission to compete in October 2010, I faced all of these challenges.  I have 2 children, and at the time my son was 4 years old and my daughter was 8 months old.  I was 200lbs and felt lost, fat and thought that my fit days were over.  Sleeping through the night was not reality, but in the midst of all the day to day stuff, I realized that I could use these challenges and obstacles as excuses or overcome them. The first key for me was setting out a goal, having my mind on something that I wanted to achieve was HUGE. I had to have a motivating goal that forced me to make it to the gym no matter what! Something out of my comfort zone, something fun…but something a bit scary…. a fitness competition!!!!!!!!!!!

So amidst of all being a MOM a, caregiver, laundress extraordinaire, transportation specialist, "snot catcher", kisser of boo boos, teacher, maid, PB&J specialist, and much more, How was I going to do this?

This is what I found worked for me to overcome the challenges I faced:

• Prepared all my meals the night before… let’s face it as mom’s we have the best intention of getting things ready in the morning but things just come up and that leads to Drive Thru’s and there are no healthy drive thru’s!
• Hitting the gym after the kids were in bed to avoid the “mommy guilt”
• NOT eating my kids leftovers….even though the grill cheese looked soooo good even on the floor!
• Bought a HUGE ugly water bottle from Walmart so I would be reminded to drink my water       

So what does this mean for you?? I want to say to all the moms out there your health, happiness and fitness are important! Everything you do to improve yourself in life trickles down into every aspect of your life. As a Mom, it is our duty to set a good example for our kids, to be around to love on our children’s children. And…as a Mom, it is our right to feel incredible, along the way! “Life is a journey, not a destination.” So, do you best to enjoy the ride! You can do anything…you’re a Mom! No matter what your goal, you can make it happen; it just takes unwavering determination and commitment to get there. So stay committed, stay determined, and you will succeed - I promise you!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!!