Summer Fitness Challenge: Mommy Needs to MOVE!

“Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm and listen for instructions…Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat…If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children.”

If you’ve flown on an airplane, you likely remember this snippet of the safety briefing given by the flight crew. It should be common sense, right? Moms have to be breathing in order to help kids breath. It seems like a no brainer, but since becoming a mom, I’ve found that my default is to give myself leftovers. If I’m not careful, there are weeks on end when “me time” barely exists, and the closest thing to it is the two minute shower I get while my toddler pounds on the glass door. Heck, I can’t even go to the bathroom alone these days!  And you know what? Most of the time I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love being followed by little people all the time. It’s a privilege and honor to take care of them!

However, I think it can be detrimental when we forget to cultivate self care. While we forge along and write it off as being “selfless” when we don’t make time for ourselves, in reality, we are actually trying to give our kids life-giving “oxygen” when we’re barely “breathing” ourselves.

We need to be willing to prioritize self care and fill ourselves up so we have enough to give back to our families. There are obviously lots of different ways to do this, but one of the best ways I’m able to fill my tank so to speak, is to get out and MOVE my body. The endorphins I release when I break a good sweat or get some fresh air do wonders for my spirit! In fact, I would say I even feel closest to the Lord when I’m exercising, and since he is the ULTIMATE filler upper, I know I need to make time to MOVE.

BUT, it is so hard to do it alone, and I am in desperate need of some motivation. SO. If you too get filled up by moving, I would love to invite you to join me for a summer challenge. I’d like to see how many miles we could “move” together.  Whether you like to walk, jog, run, bike, rollerblade, elliptical, whatever, you are welcome here. This is not a competition. Although if that motivates you, go right ahead and try to log the most miles. If you know me personally, you know I’m not competitive in nature. I like it when everybody wins. And that’s my goal here. I want us to listen to what our bodies need, get rid of excuses, and make time for ourselves. That may mean pushing a stroller while you do it, but that works for me!

Also, you need NOT be a mom to join. I think it’s important that every woman, whether a mom or not, cultivates self care. I would be honored if you would join me!

The challenge will run from the first day of summer to the last. That means it starts this Friday, June 21 and will go until September 21! Please feel free to join at any point. Stop back here each Wednesday for updates!

How To Join

I’m using DailyMile to organize the challenge. It’s basically like a Facebook for exercising, where you have friends and can log your miles either online or through a smartphone app called Electric Miles. To join the challenge, go to this link: Mommy Needs to MOVE. If you’re not already using DailyMile, you’ll need to create a profile before joining.

Please invite your family and friends to join us!

For additional motivation, if you happen to have a smartphone and the ability to download the Charity Miles app, do it! For every mile you log, 25 cents gets donated to charity!  

Let’s take care of ourselves so we can pay it forward to our loved ones!

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!