A while back, I read an article that really stuck with me. So much so that I have no idea who wrote it, who posted it or how to find it. Ha! But the message stuck with me much better than that. It was about working out. I have been working out fairly regularly for a couple years and I love the way it makes me feel. Endorphin's are pretty dang awesome! There are so many fantastic benefits to a fitness routine like sleeping better, stronger body(especially for a weak back!) smaller clothes, albeit marginally in my case, and energy.
You hear about all of these benefits constantly on tv, online, from that super annoying friend who works out constantly and yet their hair is never messed up (like seriously, what they hey?!) and of course, crossfitters. Gotta love their crazy enthusiasm even if I don't understand the strange lingo they speak.
There is another benefit that specifically hit home with me. I have people watching me. Little people, with really big eyes. Little minds that are still forming and learning who they want to be. They watch every move we make and those moves define how they will view life and themselves one day. As Christians, it has always been our main focus to to teach our kids to live for God by doing so ourselves and that principle is exactly the same in this instance.
Girls of all shapes and sizes struggle with their appearances. We are raising daughters. I have bounced from feeling too skinny-too fat-too tall-too flat chested-to busty and back again a few times...well I haven't bounced back to too skinny. I don't hate my body and in fact, after having kids, I actually like it more, after all, I made people! But that doesn't mean I don't understand the danger of low self esteem. Jared is great about treating me like a lady and giving the girls an example of what love should be and how a man should love a woman but I have not always lived up to my end of the bargain. I hide my attempts to improve myself. I prefer to only show the parts of my life that I feel good about. I usually work out after the kids are in bed.
This week I made a change and started working out in the living room with a large and often interactive audience. I don't necessarily love it, especially when I can't quite do something. They love it. Emily excels at burpees and jumping jacks, Molly can do push ups and planks like a pro and Caleb learned how to do somersaults, on accident, while attempting a burpee. Ha! Tonight, we did yoga, they don't do it well but then, neither do I. Caleb stopped me mid vinyasa to grab me by the ears and kiss me violently.
Is it working? Am I instilling a good work ethic and teaching them to love their bodies? I don't know. But it is worth a try. And even if it garners us nothing more than some laughs and good family time, well, we get to have some laughs and good family time.
