fit moms

I recently came across a post on social media from a really amazing woman: Brooke Erickson. She's an IFBB figure pro, with the most amazing legs! She's battled both spectrums of diet problems and eating disorders but has found an outstanding balance between being in a healthy fitness level while putting her family first.

"I am very hardcore, but my kind of hardcore involves being a full time working mom, a loving wife, and an attempt to be a little bit of a badass in between. I don't strive for mediocrity... I don't have time for that. Anyone that thinks that living a balanced life is easy obviously knows nothing about being a working parent. Easy would be putting my wants before my kids' needs. Easy would be not attending birthday parties to avoid the temptation of face plowing a cake. Easy would be prioritizing the treadmill over practicing soccer. Easy would be not buying treats for the pantry and making excuses for poor hungry behavior. Easy would be skipping date night, family vacations, and anything else that would involve impromptu meals, unplanned activities, and prolonged periods of unscheduled gym time. 

I am perfectly okay with not being the standard idea of hardcore... because at the end of the day I know what is truly important in life and twenty years from now I know I will still be married, enjoying my beautiful family. And maybe...just maybe... I will still have a quad sweep."

I loved this. I've recently seen (and reposted) articles on how fat-shaming has turned to fit-shaming, and that moms should quit "neglecting their kids" because they're in the gym all the time and only care about how hardcore they are, blah blah blah.

I think any shaming is ridiculous. Let's just be nice and encouraging, and quit judging.

Being in "off-season," has its challenges for me. You miss being lean, and in teeny tiny shape. But while in prep, you miss cupcakes lol.. You can't have it all.

It's hard being a mom. It's hard to squeeze your workouts in. It's hard to pass up holiday treats. It's hard to manage work, and church, and finances, and prioritize date nights and budgeting your time.

But no one is demanding perfection. 

Good thing, because I fail on a lot of those things often.

But I still have goals. Fitness ones that I know I will achieve and in the back of my mind, they help me keep motivation and some focus.

I want to stay fit (even if it's not competition lean) and eat as clean as I can, however, if my kids ask for Christmas cookies, we're doing it, and I won't feel back for eating one.. or two ;)