How we take care of ourselves is a direct correlation to how much we can give of ourselves. Just because we are caregivers to others does not mean we are at our full potential to be caring best for them. What I mean is we must operate and care for our ourselves in the most optimal way possible in order to maximize how much we can give of ourselves to others. For example picture yourself as a Maserati. if you leave that Maserati in a garage (ie no exercise) and give it the least optimal fuel (ie nutrition).... are you really able to maximize that amazing machines potential?  If our kids & loved ones are our passengers...Are you caring for your machine to live your fullest potential each day?  Where can you give more to YOU?

             Throughout my life, I never thought of myself as someone who was "accomplished." Don't get me wrong- I had my daily routine but nothing within it really consisted of anything that would make someone sit up and say "wow, that girl is really doing something." I was always smart, did well in school and in my professional life. However, there have always been things that I wanted to do, but nothing really got me off my derierre and got me to put wheels in motion. That all changed after I had my son.             Why the change? Why then? Quite simply, I was tired! Tired of what? Everything!! It wasn't just the "new mom-sleep deprived" type of exhaustion. I was uncomfortable and FAT! I was tired of not being able to cross my legs and have my leg slip off only a moment later. I was tired of wearing skirts and feeling like i needed to call the fire department because the friction of my thigh skins rubbing together would cause a fire. I was tired of not having energy. Can you imagine- I was actually tired of being tired!! As if that weren't enough - most of all I was tired of my own attitude. I wanted energy, not only to get through my day with my son and my hubby, but enough energy to say i got thru it and actually enjoyed myself. I wanted to do things!             

During my pregnancy, I gained 60lbs. Yeah that's right and yeah I said it!  Whoever said you can eat whatever you want during pregnancy must have had a plastic surgeon on speed dial  in the delivery room. NO CAN DO! You can't eat a whole pint of ice cream even if its low-fat. Whatever fat is in there always has to hit your body somewhere!           

Of course, I allowed myself the obligatory 3 month " 1st time Mom Adjustment Period" (isn't that what its officially called?) by the end of which I was ready to pull my hair out and was feeling very lonely. That's another thing they don't mention in the "What to Expect" books- how alone you feel, spending a whole day alone with your kid, talking to them and actually getting mad when no one responds. And in my case, my husband works crazy long hours which means days of this on end. So you can imagine my need for adult interaction often resulted in long, often uncomfortable conversations with cashiers at the supermarket, the poor shlub who waited on me at the bagel store, the UPS guy delivering gifts- you get the jist. Finally and not a moment too soon, my best friend (and savior) told me about this program she was doing in VA. I decided it was time to make things happen for myself.            

I went to my first Stroller Strides class alone (with Jonah of course but without friend accompaniment). I went into it thinking what most of us probably did- a walk in the park. Well, LA DE DA it wasn't!!! Let's just say that muscles I had never used woke up and said "Finally! Some attention." I was sore for DAYS! Despite my soreness and the weird way I was walking because of it- I went back. Not only did I go back to that class, but I sought out other locations. I went more than once a week. I started forcing myself & Jonah out of the house each morning to Stroller Strides because  I knew that if I didn't, my apartment would devour me and I would devour everything in it.             

Once I got the ball rolling, getting myself to Stroller Strides became my priority. I can honestly say it has changed my outlook on my life. With Stroller Strides in my life, I accomplish 3 things everytime I go - I get myself off the couch, I get fit, and I meet new people.  What keeps me motivated 2 years after starting it? Why do I keep at it? The reasons are endless, but here is a short list;

1.        I know this is going to sound selfish and I never felt this way in the past, but I AM A #1 PRIORITY.If I don't take care of myself , then I cannot take care of everything else, namely my son and hubby, the way they need me to and the way that I want to. I am a vital factor to my life and my family. I want to live a long, happy life  and be there for my loved ones in any way that I can . And that begins with taking care of myself mentally and physically
2.        Not only has  Stroller Strides influenced me physically, but mentally. I actually believe that I can do things that make me feel accomplished. I believe in my talents now more than I ever did. I started doing some of the things I put off doing for so long. I'm being more creative and more productive now than I ever was in the past. Not only does being productive keep me from eating everything in sight out of pure boredom, but it makes me feel so accomplished that I want to do more things.

        Last October, I finished my first 5K race. I cried part of the way and as I crossed the finish line. I cried not because I was tired or wanted to stop. I thought about all the people who were so proud of me for even attempting the race at all. I thought about my grandma - who I pictured at the finish line, rooting me on. I cried, mostly, because, I was proud of myself-I FINISHED IT!!!      
Thanks for being one of my cheerleaders, Adele!
Love,
Lisa
(Lisa has been a Stroller Strides member since August 2010 and continues to inspire us all)