“Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to our true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.” Parker Palmer
How does this quote resonate with you?
For me, it is the foundational message of the two populations I serve: healthcare workers and mothers. If you are a mother who works in healthcare, then you should probably get a framed photo with this quote printed on it and put it in the most visible place for you to see often.
It just makes sense to take care of ourselves so that we can give our best to others, right? Okay, so why is that so difficult sometimes? That is the million dollar question I have been trying to figure out for many years- not only for others but for myself as well. Over the course of the next ten weeks, I want to explore the reasons behind why it’s so difficult to make self-care a part of our daily rituals. Specifically, I will unpack the top ten reasons why moms don’t exercise as much as we’d like.
Each week will have a focus on one of the common reasons that I hear from my friends, family, clients, colleagues and community. Chances are that many, if not all of these reasons have applied to you and your life at some point, perhaps right now even!
I will share real-life examples of the struggles moms face as we try our best to do all the things and among all the things- we know we should be exercising. Well friends, it is my goal to help you turn around your inner dialogue to create a voice that empowers you to realize that these barriers/excuses/reasons are legit. AND- you have the ability to creatively move forward as a mother who exercises anyway because you are doing it for you and those whose lives you touch.
Are you ready for me to reveal the reasons? Here we go!
Top Ten Reasons Why Moms Don’t Exercise as Much as We’d Like
- Lack of Time
- Lack of Motivation
- Lack of Confidence
- Competing Priorities
- Sense of Overwhelm
- Lack of Support
- Pain or Injury
- Lack of Energy
- Lack of Focus
- Lack of Resources
Join me here each week as we dive into these reasons. Spoiler alert- If you look at each of these reasons why we don’t exercise, you can flip them around and use them as reasons why you benefit from exercise. How neat is that? (Don’t roll your eyes at me! Well, it’s okay- you can. It won’t hurt my feelings because I know that I am speaking truth.)
By the way, you are an amazing mother! You do so much each day to serve others. You are a juggler and a magician. You accomplish so much every day and give so much love, kindness and respect to others, especially your children. Please know that I am cheering for you and think you deserve to feel your very best. You’ve got this!
If you have a story or something to share with me and the Fit Mom community around barriers to exercise you have overcome, please email Brooke@fitmomconnection.com.
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Fit Mom Resources to Help You Thrive
Virtual Exercise Class Membership. Hang out with me and other mothers live or onDemand to benefit from some fun exercise routines that are functional for the body of mothers. The first month is free so really there is no reason not to do it. There is something in it for all abilities, ages, stages, and interests.
30 Day Self-Care Challenge Want some support in making daily self-care a habit? This program will give you the daily motivation and tools to help you discover how life with self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Work with me 1:1 You are a beautiful, unique individual, and I would be honored to help you tap into your strengths so that you can use exercise as a vehicle, along with a S.M.A.R.T. plan for turning your intentions into actions with the results you want. Whether it’s starting with a three month wellness coaching relationship or working with me for 1:1 Personal training, I am ready to chat about your needs and desires.
Sign up for one of my free resources which are pictured to the right of this post.
Subscribe to my youTube channel where I deliver weekly fit mom moments and 20 minute workouts. Check out a featured 20 minute workout below, or visit the playlist on my channel where 20 minute workouts are accessible for a limited time.
