Mom and Health

Being a mom tends to be more of an excuse for an unhealthy lifestyle

For some time now my children have turned into an excuse for me to justify an unhealthy lifestyle.

" I can't eat dinner now- because the kids need to get washed and ready for bed"

"I can't cook a big meal, so I'll just grab a muffin instead."

"I can't even go to bed because the house is a mess."

"I can't go to the gym or exercise, because I don't have a solid time I could take off and leave the kids."

As much as this was hurting my own health, I came to realize I was also hurting my children's psyche.

Mommy can't even eat, because of us.

Mommy can't sleep because of us.

Mommy eats unhealthy because of us.

While realizing is only the first step, it was my family that started pushing me back into the health I preach and have not been practicing.

Many of us have grown up in a culture and environment where a good parent sacrifices to be able to provide the needs for their children. It almost feels like a parent must be suffering to prove that you are doing everything you can. My own parents always put our needs before themselves, and still continue to do so until this day. However, looking at them brings up feelings of guilt. They still keep providing for their children, and have a difficult time accepting gifts or favors from their own children. As much as I feel I would like to be like them, I hate to think that my children will walk the same path.

One should not have to sacrifice to make another happy. My children should not think their happiness is based on my suffering and sacrifice.

I have more recently started to feel I need to make an effort to be healthy. It may not be in the way I envisioned health, but where I don't feel that I am giving up on something. Where I don't blame my kids for an unhealthy lifestyle that I chose to do myself.

I'm not good at drastic changes.

Recently I have had to move my office, and the change itself was daunting, to a point that I was doing the best to hope that it would not have to happen. But it did. And with this step, I am closer in distance to my family, and it closed a chapter where I was walking a beautiful path that was built for me. It is time for me to start paving a path for myself and take full responsibility for what is to come.

With this, my daughter excitedly offered to help in the office. My oldest picked out a room where he will "hang out" to make my job easier. My youngest broke a few décor items and made sure crumbs were dropped on every corner of the office to ensure that I clean every corner before opening.

I want to be able to show my children that my life is good, and I want to be healthy, and that the reason I do these things are not out of sacrifice, but out of my want to do so. (I type this as I remember myself yelling at the kids this morning, blaming them for making me late for work).

All this sounds nice, and I know I am very far from being the person or the mom I feel I should be (sipping Starbucks coffee as we speak). But small changes can slowly evolve into huge impacts.

Today I'm going to make it a point to really enjoy the lunch my mother made for me today by doing nothing but eating. Not having other distractions. Not watching a Tv show. Not working on organizing the office. To take the time to appreciate the food, to chew the food, to have a conscious intent to absorb the nutrients and get my body into a state where digestion is most optimal. Removing myself from a state of physical fight or flight (work and stress), and forcing myself into a parasympathetic (calm) state.

Goodbye for now! I'm going to go eat my Lunch :)