Becoming a Healthier Mom

by Melissa J | More from this Blogger

16 Jan 2007 06:27 PM

My children mean the world to me and there is nothing like the joy of being able to join in their world of play. We wrestle on the floor, giggle, play silly word games, build train tracks, Lego skyscrapers, play airplane where I spin them around by their arms until we're both dizzy... But getting tired too quickly due to being overweight and hearing my boys tell me, "Mommy, still play" is grieving. Moms even in the healthiest condition often don't have the energy of three or five year old boys, but they may be able to play chase or soccer for longer periods of time.

When I think about being overweight or less than healthy, I wonder about my future and my children's future. Will I get to live long enough to play with or even see my grandchildren? I think of other things too like my metabolism slowing down with age. I don't want to be dependant on a motorized chair to get around. Granted, I'm not even close to that position now, but if I didn't start taking control of my life somehow, perhaps I would be.

I worry when I think of heavier loved ones in my life. As much as I don't want to lose the people close to me due to conditions resulting from obesity, I don't want my family to lose me either. I've had to come to the point where I would not allow obesity to consume my physical abilities. I want energy again to play with my children; I want to have energy one day to play with my grandchildren.

One of my first goals is set for this summer; I hope to be able to get into a swimsuit with less shame so I can go swimming with my boys. I would like to be able to wear shorts on hot days and not feel so self-conscience. I'd put off cracking down for nearly thirty years and now I'm on a mission to be a healthier me---not just for myself, but for those I love.

Please visit these related blogs:

Becoming a Healthier Wife

Diary of an Overweight Mom: Progress!

Coming Out and Being Honest

Melissa is a Families.com Christian Blogger. Read her blogs at: http://members.families.com/mj7/blog

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swellen (70) 16 Jan 2007 11:12 PM

I'm sure your positive attitude is making a big difference to this - it will be great to have more energy to play with the boys, but it's also great that they have a mum who doesn't hide shamefully at home until she's lost weight, but is proud to be out with her loving family. Maybe you feel self-conscious and I know for sure it's hard (I haven't been seen in a swimming costume for about ten years - and I've already lost the weight I needed to lose!) but the important thing is you are out there anyway. They're too little to appreciate it now, but one day they'll understand and be thankful you gave them a great upbringing and didn't ruin their childhood by obsessing about this stuff.

Aerie (309) 17 Jan 2007 07:32 AM

I'm a size 20, and I go swimming with my children. Yes, I am always tempted to hide in embarrassment. Two things I think of help me get out there and have fun. First, I remember I am there to enjoy playing with my children, not to impress anybody. So I quit being selfish and start splashing. :-) Second, I assume that other women are doing the same thing I used to do- surreptitiously checking to see if they are the fattest person there. Now when I check to see if I am the largest and I am, I think "Good! I just made every woman here feel a whole lot better about herself!"

Life is too short, go ahead and make a big splash!

Melissa J (13710) 17 Jan 2007 11:40 AM

Aerie, thanks for that reminder! You're so right!