August 28, 2013
We have reached the 4th and final key to finding your best post-baby body. Thanks for joining me on this journey and stay in touch by following Tailored Fitness on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or by signing up for our e-newsletter which will give you more great information to help you on your fitness journey (including a free workout sent right to your inbox!).
Ok, let’s get down to business: the 4th key to your post-baby best is using Ergo to set a good example for your kiddos! This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Yes, we should exercise, eat well, and stay active for the sake of personal improvement, but a big motivation for a positive mindset and self-esteem should be to influence our children. As moms, we fight battles daily: some tangible battles (like with your 2 year old at bath time) and some intangible ones (like fighting against the influence of the media in your child’s life). One major battle we fight is to accept (and like) ourselves just the way we are. It’s no wonder it’s challenging to accept our bodies as moms when every day we are bombarded with messages from the media that tell us we aren’t good enough, that we don’t measure up, and that we don’t fit the mold.[youtube]http://youtu.be/iYhCn0jf46U[/youtube]
No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted when even the most “perfect” models must be altered to fit the bill! What we see and compare ourselves to simply isn’t real. It’s a combination of a gifted hair and makeup team, creative photography, and, most influentially, Photoshop. We will always fall short of an imagined ideal. Facebook doesn’t help either, because when we look at a friend’s timeline, all we see are the pictures of her good hair days and the days when her kids are smiling and playing well with each other. When we compare this highlight reel to our behind the scenes, we are left feeling inferior. We are far more critical of ourselves than others would ever be, and we say things to ourselves that we would never voice about another person. Want some proof? Take a look at this 2nd video from Dove (a follow up to the first).[youtube]http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk[/youtube]
It’s amazing how critical we are of ourselves. The reality is, this critical self-talk doesn’t just affect us. As moms, our children are watching and imitating everything we do. They watch when we go to our closets and try on 10 outfits before picking one to wear. They watch when someone gives us a compliment and we respond by saying, “Really? I hate my ____.” They see our grimaces as we look in the mirror and pinch the extra skin on our arms. We are forming their self-esteem and teaching them how to treat themselves by the way we talk about and view ourselves. That can be a sobering thought. But we don’t have to continue this way! We don’t have to adhere to the cultural norm of self-loathing. We can choose to make a change and be different. We can teach our children that they are special by treating ourselves in a way that shows we are special. We can teach our children to speak kindly to themselves by speaking kindly to ourselves. We can let them in on the truth as opposed to what the media portrays as reality. So where does Ergobaby come into all this? By living an active life with Ergo, you are communicating to your child that being healthy and strong is more important than being a certain size or number on the scale. You are showing them that being active is part of being happy, and that exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. You can set an example that will give your children the best chance to grow up free from struggles with their weight. I hope this has inspired you to take a close look at the way you think and talk about yourself. Press forward to find your best post-baby body, but don’t forget to celebrate the body you have right now. Remember: you are strong, you are beautiful, and you have a powerful influence in your family! Don’t forget, you can still sign up for a free 30 day trial with Tailored Fitness. We have a BRAND NEW workout plan designed to guide you through finding your post baby best step by step. _________________________Please use caution when attempting any of the carries, exercise or activities highlighted on this blog, social media or any other content channels. Please use common sense and caution when using a baby carrier. You should consult a physician before starting any diet or exercise program. For more information, see our disclaimer.