I have been realizing some things more and more with my ever-changing life as a mom. My body is definitely not the same anymore, my routine/schedule is not always my own, and my desire to have a healthier life has greatly increased. As I was sitting in my quite time with God today, I have reflected on repentance, burdens, and whispers of grace from the Father. Starting a year and a half ago I have been slowly transitioning certain things in our home to promote and create a healthier lifestyle for myself, my husband, and now our little boy. To start I looked at all our products that we either consume, apply topically, or use for cleaning and transitioned to plant based, ecofriendly, and minimal chemical use products. This transition has taken some time, energy, money, and trial/error. I am still fine tuning.
*NOTE* I am not perfect or pretend to be when it comes to any of these changes!
Fast forward to January 2021 when Asher was born. I don’t think many women talk a lot about the pressure of “returning to the pre mom bod.” And can I tell you… it is hard. It is hard to lose weight when you haven’t had a baby but now you are fighting hormones, new schedules, lack of sleep, maybe (for myself) breastfeeding which produces more hunger and more sitting and let us not forget the aftermath of your body trying to recover from the craziest ride you have ever gone through. I have been struggling with “getting back to the pre mom bod” but the reality is even if you lose the weight, gain muscle, etc. is you body really ever the same? I have been struggling hard core with positive body image. What I have come to understand is this… Just like God’s grace for the forgiveness of our sins we need to have grace with ourselves as well. When we commit the same sin a second time does God write us off and the grace disappear? No. We have the opportunity to chose different once we repent and move forward in His grace. He gives us more chances. So why do we think that if we fail one time at grabbing the chocolate bar instead of the celery stick that we are doomed to ever have a healthy body? We need to give ourselves grace. Remind ourselves: You have every day as a new day to make change, that every choice is a new opportunity to make a healthier one. Just like transitioning our home to plant based products it doesn’t happen over night or even in a week or a month. It takes time. It takes trial and error. It takes energy and effort.
I have been asking myself as well… why this change? Why do I want to make these changes? And maybe your motivation is different, but I have come down to a few things.
1) My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I have learned that for me to make changes in my life, no matter what it is or how hard someone tries to convince me it is a positive change. I need to believe it is for the purpose of the Kingdom and to honor God. If I don’t believe that or find that in scripture, I’m hard pressed to make changes. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 it reads, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” When you read that do you feel convicted? Do you feel proud? For a long time I felt convicted. Knowing that the food choices, the lack of exercise, and the picking at my pimples even caused me to realize if Jesus Christ was before me would I continue to do as I am and would it make Him proud to see what I have done to the beautiful creation His Father made? And my answer has been no. So, a few more thing that I have been changing in my life since having Asher has been; Changing my eating habits (I fall short often, I’m definitely a work in progress); this includes reducing refined sugars, less bread and noodles, more veggies and protein, fruit in moderation, and more water intake. I have changed my exercise; I run more, do strength/resistance training, and go on walks with my hubby, babe, and puppy. I have chosen (even when it’s not ideal temps) to go outside and enjoy some sunshine, fresh air, and the chirping birds. I have added in more prayer, reading the Word, worship, and intentional Bible studying. Taking time with my lady friends and other moms has been a huge focus as well. It is important to take some time alone and also to keep your women tribe there because frankly we all need each other. Lastly, I have asked for help. I am someone that likes to think I can do it all and be super woman. The reality is how in the world do you do all of this without some help when you have a little one? My family has been a huge encouragement and help in making this a better balance. Your body is not just a physical physique but it is built of mind, body, and spirit. God looks at all those parts not just what the scale says or how your clothes fit. So, I have come to understand if I am hosting the Holy Spirit, which is God Himself in my own body, then I need to look at myself as a whole and find a healthy balance.
2) For my husband! Just because we are married doesn’t mean I can just let myself fall to the wayside and expect him to not notice. We both have committed to making healthy choices for each other. In my opinion it isn’t fair to your spouse to think, now that we found each other lets just let ourselves go… We don’t expect each other to look and be the same as when we met. Age changes things, babies change things, and life changes things but we have committed to trying our best to make healthy choices and take care of ourselves for God and one another. I want my husband to be proud of the things I do and also find me sexy! P.S. he is my biggest supporter and encourager!
3) For Asher and any other babies we may have! He deserves a mom who takes care of herself. I want to be able to run, play, go on adventures, and teach Asher how to make healthy and appropriate choices. I want to practice what I preach so one day he does the same. Our children look to us as examples and also encouragers. How could I encourage something that I don’t do myself or know anything about?
4) For myself! The reason “For Myself” is not first or second on my list because when you are changing for a bigger purpose and bigger things they tend to weigh more when you fall short. I want to be better for me. When you eat healthier, exercise, spend time outside, spend time with God, and take time with community you feel different. You have a more joy, more energy, more excitement, and you are proud of yourself. I need that for me and you overall have less physical issues when you take care of yourself. Yes please, sign me up!!
With all this being said, sometimes it is overwhelming with so much change. The change of adding mama to my title, a new and ever-changing routine, and now all the new refining I have been trying to do. BUT it is all worth it. When you make change, it is very rarely easy, quick, and without fault. So, I encourage you, keep sticking to it! Find your why. Give yourself grace. And remember every choice is a new opportunity to choose something healthier!
*NOTE* I am not perfect or pretend to be when it comes to any of these changes!
Fast forward to January 2021 when Asher was born. I don’t think many women talk a lot about the pressure of “returning to the pre mom bod.” And can I tell you… it is hard. It is hard to lose weight when you haven’t had a baby but now you are fighting hormones, new schedules, lack of sleep, maybe (for myself) breastfeeding which produces more hunger and more sitting and let us not forget the aftermath of your body trying to recover from the craziest ride you have ever gone through. I have been struggling with “getting back to the pre mom bod” but the reality is even if you lose the weight, gain muscle, etc. is you body really ever the same? I have been struggling hard core with positive body image. What I have come to understand is this… Just like God’s grace for the forgiveness of our sins we need to have grace with ourselves as well. When we commit the same sin a second time does God write us off and the grace disappear? No. We have the opportunity to chose different once we repent and move forward in His grace. He gives us more chances. So why do we think that if we fail one time at grabbing the chocolate bar instead of the celery stick that we are doomed to ever have a healthy body? We need to give ourselves grace. Remind ourselves: You have every day as a new day to make change, that every choice is a new opportunity to make a healthier one. Just like transitioning our home to plant based products it doesn’t happen over night or even in a week or a month. It takes time. It takes trial and error. It takes energy and effort.
I have been asking myself as well… why this change? Why do I want to make these changes? And maybe your motivation is different, but I have come down to a few things.
1) My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I have learned that for me to make changes in my life, no matter what it is or how hard someone tries to convince me it is a positive change. I need to believe it is for the purpose of the Kingdom and to honor God. If I don’t believe that or find that in scripture, I’m hard pressed to make changes. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 it reads, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” When you read that do you feel convicted? Do you feel proud? For a long time I felt convicted. Knowing that the food choices, the lack of exercise, and the picking at my pimples even caused me to realize if Jesus Christ was before me would I continue to do as I am and would it make Him proud to see what I have done to the beautiful creation His Father made? And my answer has been no. So, a few more thing that I have been changing in my life since having Asher has been; Changing my eating habits (I fall short often, I’m definitely a work in progress); this includes reducing refined sugars, less bread and noodles, more veggies and protein, fruit in moderation, and more water intake. I have changed my exercise; I run more, do strength/resistance training, and go on walks with my hubby, babe, and puppy. I have chosen (even when it’s not ideal temps) to go outside and enjoy some sunshine, fresh air, and the chirping birds. I have added in more prayer, reading the Word, worship, and intentional Bible studying. Taking time with my lady friends and other moms has been a huge focus as well. It is important to take some time alone and also to keep your women tribe there because frankly we all need each other. Lastly, I have asked for help. I am someone that likes to think I can do it all and be super woman. The reality is how in the world do you do all of this without some help when you have a little one? My family has been a huge encouragement and help in making this a better balance. Your body is not just a physical physique but it is built of mind, body, and spirit. God looks at all those parts not just what the scale says or how your clothes fit. So, I have come to understand if I am hosting the Holy Spirit, which is God Himself in my own body, then I need to look at myself as a whole and find a healthy balance.
2) For my husband! Just because we are married doesn’t mean I can just let myself fall to the wayside and expect him to not notice. We both have committed to making healthy choices for each other. In my opinion it isn’t fair to your spouse to think, now that we found each other lets just let ourselves go… We don’t expect each other to look and be the same as when we met. Age changes things, babies change things, and life changes things but we have committed to trying our best to make healthy choices and take care of ourselves for God and one another. I want my husband to be proud of the things I do and also find me sexy! P.S. he is my biggest supporter and encourager!
3) For Asher and any other babies we may have! He deserves a mom who takes care of herself. I want to be able to run, play, go on adventures, and teach Asher how to make healthy and appropriate choices. I want to practice what I preach so one day he does the same. Our children look to us as examples and also encouragers. How could I encourage something that I don’t do myself or know anything about?
4) For myself! The reason “For Myself” is not first or second on my list because when you are changing for a bigger purpose and bigger things they tend to weigh more when you fall short. I want to be better for me. When you eat healthier, exercise, spend time outside, spend time with God, and take time with community you feel different. You have a more joy, more energy, more excitement, and you are proud of yourself. I need that for me and you overall have less physical issues when you take care of yourself. Yes please, sign me up!!
With all this being said, sometimes it is overwhelming with so much change. The change of adding mama to my title, a new and ever-changing routine, and now all the new refining I have been trying to do. BUT it is all worth it. When you make change, it is very rarely easy, quick, and without fault. So, I encourage you, keep sticking to it! Find your why. Give yourself grace. And remember every choice is a new opportunity to choose something healthier!
