Journey of a Supermom...

I have always been a "thick" girl, although I didn't really think too much about it...or realize the extent of how that held me back. Sure, like a lot of women, I packed on some pounds, when I met my husband...we were having so much fun partying it up, pigging out, lounging around. I mean, he was kinda big, and I matched that! It was great to let go of the reins on self-control, because it's not like I was THAT big. I mean, I was a 10-12, which was still smaller than the average woman, in this country, right?.. I told myself that it was inevitable, as I come from a family of food-loving, chunky people. I was working out some and thought I was eating pretty well. I'd tried Weight Watchers and Atkins, not that they were that much fun or that anyone supported me. What was the big deal, anway?...that is, until I saw my wedding pictures...what had happened? How did the photographer seem to capture all the lies I'd been telling myself about my weight?

Determined, I began educating myself about calories in food. I was floored by how many calories were in what I was eating, how little calories I really needed for my body to function, and how little an impact my meager exercise efforts were making on my food intake. So, I tried making better and healthier decisions and saw my weight come down a little. About this time, my hubby suggested we watch The Biggest Loser...this was my wake-up call! From the show, I got a MUCH clearer picture of just how little I knew about nutrition, diet, and exercise!!

I chose this moment to grab the bull by the horns, not only to avoid gaining excess pregnancy weight (we had begun planning) but to really avoid being one of the fat moms that can't keep up with her kids...one of the moms that may not fit in with the mommy cliques...one of the moms whose kid might be embarrassed by her. I began to educate myself and understand the concept of portion control and healthy snacking. I began to rethink our family's tradition of gourging yourself, at every meal. I recommitted to my cardio exercises and added weight training to my regime. I got more interested in food prep and began efficiently creating snack packs and planning out menus packed with healthy eats. I got pregnant, watched my hubby lose 60 pounds on our new program, ate my fill of fruits and veggies, and tried real hard not give into my pregnancy-fueled inhibitions about eating anything and everything.

Two years after the birth of my son, I weigh nearly 30 pounds less than my wedding day. I lost all my baby weight and then some. Having a lifestyle of eating and exercise to fall into, after the baby was born, helped me get there. I worked HARD for myself, for once! Sometimes, I didn't want to...sometimes, I didn't...most of the time, I made the right decision. Being super self-critical, I am finally in awe of my body...it looks good and feels good!!!...not being as embarrassed with it, I am more adventuresome about clothes and pull off different styles. I learned some new hair and make-up routines, to celebrate my new look. More importantly, my BMI is no longer teetering on the edge of unhealthy...my weight is nowhere near the overweight category...I much lower risks for high cholesterol or heart issues or diabetes...I have no doubts about having another healthy pregnancy and recovering from it...I actually have more energy, getting up well before dawn, than when I dragged my feet to get out of bed...my son would rather eat veggies or fruits than burgers, fries, or chicken fingers, and so would my husband! And, I have now found the courage and energy to be a well-oiled machine in other facets of my life!

I am SO energized, for once! I am driven and focused and more secure. I make mistakes...eat some bad food more often than I should...drink my fair share of red wine...occassionally slack or skip my workout, but I'm still doing it, because I know what to do. I always have a base to come back to. See, it's not about a quick drop of 2 dress sizes...it's about a life-long journey of healthy habits, and I finally CHOSE to give this gift of health (and all the wonderful things it entails and enables) to myself...to my family! Boy, did it feel good...boy, does it still feel good. Better than eating all that garbage...better than pounding my food as fast as I could, so that I could get more before anyone else did...better than being lethargic and lazy...better than being ashamed of myself. Now that I've finally begun to love myself, so many more doors have opened, and I'm FINALLY brave enough to go through!

Looking back, I don't know why it was so hard to make the decision to MAKE THE EFFORT, but I am sure am glad I learned it, before I got any further down the road. I am glad I figured this out and can share it with my child and others. Because, it was almost just that easy, once I figured out what to do and took the time. And, now, with a blog launched, races registered for, work to do, a baby to raise, family to entertain, movies to watch, friends to catch up with, a hubby to love, and a bikini contest to win, I continue on...

Defining Project Supermom

By supermom, I do NOT mean some uber-Mom that complies with all of societies ideas of what moms and women should be. I'm not talking about shooting for being the perfect Stepford wife. I will focus a lot on nutrition and exercise, because I do believe they are crucial stepping stones on your journey...providing you with energy to face the day, an outlet for stress, a way for creative release, and ways to protect yourself against getting sick or developing physical ailments!...does it hurt that you might see a drop in your dress size? I sure don't think it does!

What I'm talking about is each of us taking a little time to make ourselves a priority. Yes, I am a good mother to my son. Yes, I work on being a good wife. Yes, my family is important, and I do enjoy the family things we do. But what about me? Am I taking care of myself? Am I doing what I need to be doing to take care of my body? What makes me happy...what feeds my soul? Family is a big part of that, but what else? For each of us, the answers to those questions are going to be totally different and probably ever-changing...full of things that we have to do to take care of ourselves and full of things that we want to do for ourselves...things we like to do for ourselves and things that we may not like to do for ourselves but need to.

So, Project Supermom is all about encouraging that ongoing growth and learning process. This is about becoming your best self...how you define that is up to you. This is about pulling ourselves together and taking those steps to do what we need to become Supermom...even if some of those things are hard and may make us face things we don't want to think about or haven't had time to make a priority. It is up to you to make the effort for yourself...you are worth it!

Why The Project...

So, I'll bet some of you are curious as to why I decided to do this? My motivation comes from a passion I have discovered for leading a healthier lifestyle...physically and mentally. By this, I mean living in a way that makes you feel good about yourself, both inside and out...that makes you feel empowered...that puts a spring in your step...that makes you stand up a little straighter...that makes you feel superhuman!

I see the stories of women, many who are also moms, who have lost their way and themselves. All you need to do is tune into the morning shows, talk shows, The Biggest Loser, and even your girlfriends and family to see the pattern: happy, bubbly girl goes about life, gets married, gets pregnant, has baby, gets immersed in motherhood, turns around and has no idea who is looking back at her in the mirror! The girl in the mirror looks tired, tattered around the edges, chubbier than she remembers...she shrugs herself off, hiding behind the guise of being "too busy" or not having time or blah, blah, blah. Despite the denial, I think these women harbor a secret well of self-loathing, self-hatred, and depression. Trust me...I know...I've been here, too, and I couldn't STAND IT!

Well, enough! You do not need to be a helpless victim, lost under a mountain of fear and denial. You do not need a major overhaul to rebuild yourself. You just need to stand up and do what you need to do, and unfortunately, it's not always easy or fun. You aren't taking care of yourself or your soul, hiding behind the "I'm a mom" excuse. You are in there, and you are worth nurturing!

This is why I decided to finally do this blog. I have learned little tips and picked up ideas and formed strong opinions that helped me find my way, on this journey. They didn't require a massive overhaul of my life or my family's. Being nearly two years into this motherhood thing, I've been amazed at what I have accomplished, both big and small...I am so proud of who I am becoming...I am excited and anxious to see what else I can do...I am beginning to feel good in my own skin...I am force to be reckoned with, in my own life...I am becoming Supermom! And, this is what I want for you. It just isn't that hard. You just need to get your ass in gear, which is why I'm here. I ask you...why not?...

Super Big Thanks...

Before I even get started, I need to thank those that inspired me to do this!

First, I must thank my girlfriends! Thank you for letting me be me and supporting that. Because of you, I've been able to keep moving, on this journey...not to mention, you have all been a great resource for emassing lots of good material, making this whole blog possible.

Next, thanks to my hairstylist for all the chair talk, as well as for making me blonde again. We have worked a lot of things out, in the chair! I appreciate you listening to all my musings and for giving me the final nudge to actually make this blog a reality.

Lastly, and most importantly, to my hubby...thank you for putting us on the path of healthier living, right in the knick of time. You have been here every step of the way...thanks for loving me...thanks for encouraging me...thanks for giving me reasons to strive to be a supermom!