A family full of runners ...

 I find extreme joy in teaching my children to be healthy and active...or they help teach me to be healthy and active :).  I think it is a 2-way street at our house.  Nene loves to be active and embraces any sport we let him play!  He is always asking about different ways to make his body strong. Brownie is getting faster and faster in her running ability and loves to be my running buddy!  Blondie has already run more races this year than I have and loves every minute or running with her dad.  And Cheese is just along for the ride :). 

It brings me great joy to watch them enjoy exercising and that I am able to be out there doing it with them.  They motivate me to try harder, to push past the HARD things and be successful.  It teaches them that even I as their Mom can push through hard things, so they can too!   They frequently have mock triathlons by swimming in our little pool, riding their bike than running.  It makes me happy!  They love to stretch out with either Coach J or I when we get back from a run/bike.  So fun to watch them love something as much as we do!

--What do you do to help keep your kids active?

--What are your favorite things to do with your kids?

I couldn't be more proud...

 This past weekend was one I will never forget.  My husband completed his first IRONMAN 70.3.  He accomplished every goal he set for himself and exceeded many that he had placed early on.  He is my inspiration to get fit, mentally and physically.  I can only imagine the mental barriers that he overcame while pushing his body as hard as he could for 6 hours and 17 minutes.  Every time I saw him on the course, I would tear up with pride and pure awe.  I couldn't be more happy, blessed and lucky to have him as my husband.  I cannot wait until we complete the sprint triathlon we are doing together in July.  I will be fun to be by his side(or behind him :)) in something he has inspired me to do.

A mother's example...

You read a lot about mother's guilt when they take time to exercise, eat right and take care of themselves.  I see it very differently, thankfully!  I have never felt the guilt that comes with training for a race, eating good food or taking the time to get a girls night...do you know why?  It is important to me AND my children that I am a healthy person, in my own life, in my eating life and in my exercise life not just their Mom.  It makes me a better mother and it gives them something to learn from.

If you feel like you are suffering from mother's guilt....think of it this way.  Would you rather have your adult children struggle with the same things you are or give them the example that exercising, eating right and treating our bodies well is just a habit that we LOVE to do?

I love when my kids eat some lean protein and a dinner full of veggies and know that it will make their body healthy and strong.  I love it when they go ride their bike, then run right after so they can train for their 'triathlon'.  I never had the example of eating right and exercising so my body image is way off (I will write more about that some day) and I hope my children don't suffer the same fate as me.  All I can give them is a good example and the education that I have gained!

Do you suffer from mother's guilt?  What do you do to be an example to your kids?