I’m so excited to introduce my long-time friend, Melissa, today. Besides a dear friend, Melissa is a mom of two adorable little ones, a teacher, and just an all-around awesome woman. Read her story about how she got back into her fitness groove after allowing motherhood to sideline her for a while. Then, check out her hilarious and motivating blog, Get Fit and Sweat Trying. She has me laughing on a daily basis and I know you’ll love it!
-Maryea
Hi! I’m Melissa from Get Fit and Sweat Trying and I’m so happy to be guest posting for Happy Healthy Mama while she takes care of business with her two littles! I know how it can get…the last thing you want to do is to take your eyes off of someone for a minute. Next thing you know, one child is perched on the kitchen counter handing snacks down to the other one at lightning speed…or does that just happen at my house?! Maryea has it waaaay more together than that!
I have been a HHM fan for a long while now, and I’ve been in awe of how Maryea can whip up recipes like it’s nobody’s business, and get her daughter to eat all of her yummy, nutritious, and natural creations. We’re talking muffins to soup, vegan dishes to the classic PB&J with an organically wholesome twist. She’s go talent, that girl.
More importantly, Maryea and I have been actual friends outside of the blogosphere for quite a while now. It has been brought to my attention that “quite a while” is more like 16 years (give or take a month or 2)!
I met Maryea in college, and was immediately intimidated by her level of sportiness. We are talking the sportiest, most athletic girl, hands down. We got to know each other, and soon became suite mates, then next door mates, then house mates after college.
We’ve kept in touch through the years, and I have to say that Maryea has been a major influence in my personal fitness crusade as of late.
I was an athlete in high school, college, and even after…running a marathon, a couple of half marathons, and a 25K. I would have considered myself a “runner” back then. I ran just about every day, and I could. I had no real responsibilities beyond work, and when I got married, being a wife. I was a swimming and track coach and always thought it was important to set an example for my athletes to make fitness a priority.
Then I got pregnant with my son (who is 5) and was nervous to keep up the running I know now, that I probably could have, and should have kept the running up. Just toning it down and listening to my body. Well, he was born, and exercise…leaving the house without him…was the farthest thing from my mind. And apparently fitting into any pre-pregnancy clothes was even farther.
Soon after I got pregnant with my daughter (who is 3) and I just heaped another 40lbs. onto what I already had going, which was delightful. Running? What does that mean? A distant, yet fond memory.
I wasn’t an athlete let alone runner anymore. I was a mom. And a wife.
Maryea has always talked about exercising, eating healthy; natural and organic. And reading her blog and listening to what she had to say about nutrition and exercise…seeing that she, since I’ve know her has been so lean and fit…(even through her pregnancies), has been a motivating force for me to get my act together.
I figured that the best way for me to stay accountable to myself, and remember why I was on my fitness journey was to start a blog of my own. I committed to run a half marathon in March, and I did. I trained for months and ran my fastest half marathon to date. Running became a habit again. I began to remember the feeling I used to get when I just needed to run. Almost like a craving for the endorphins.
I think, just maybe, I’m a runner. Again.
The hardest part is the balancing act. With 2 beautiful kids, a husband who is a teacher and high school football coach, a full time job…trying to fit in a run most days is not easy. I’ve become accustomed to running in the morning before work. It’s become my time. I actually look forward to getting up and running before it’s light out. Although, some days I have to fit it in when I can. There are also those days where it just doesn’t fit, and that’s ok too.
Ultimately, I want to show my kids that fitness is an important part of our lives. We need to make time for it, for ourselves. I in no way have it down. I am flying by the seat of my pants over here, while trying to keep the most valuable things at the forefront. My health, my family’s health, and happiness. Bottom line.
Warning: this post is going to be graphic. Really ya think? Maybe too much info with out warning on the subject line? Like really ppl like to see your poop from your diaper? Ah no.. unsub
I’m really sorry if my post offended you. It sounds crazy, but I know there are women out there who are actually searching for a post just like this. I know because I was that woman a few months ago. And I’ve already received several emails thanking me for the post from women who have had babies with similar issues. So, although I’m sorry you were offended, I’m not sorry I posted the pictures. I posted the warning so that if someone didn’t want to see, they didn’t have to scroll down and see. I purposely didn’t put the pictures at the top of the post.
I love this. I just squeezed in my first real workout this morning(after reading this last night) since having my baby last month(my third!) and it was amazing. Thank you for the inspiration! Now I just need to remind myself to never put off a workout again!
I loved reading this post- I too find Maryea very inspiring. I am pregnant with my first child and am trying to balance it all. Wife, teacher, pregnant woman, soon to be mommy, and all of the other things that life throws my way. I love seeing people that can get into the groove- even with a super busy life!
PS- my husband is a teacher and football coach too!