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Making fitness a priority for mom
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Fitness and taking care of yourself should be a priority and a source of pride for mothers-not a source of guilt.
As a carefree, single girl, you were probably used to going to the gym several days a week and making regular appointments at the hair salon. Now you are a mom-full of responsibilities. Music and Gymboree classes have replaced visits to your favorite massage therapist. Carpool duty has taken the place of weekend road trips with the girls. And sleep? You can’t remember the last time you had eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. You would love to take an hour to go for a bike ride, but before you ask your partner to watch the kids, that familiar feeling of guilt sets in, and you change your mind.
Vianesa Vargas, owner of the Take Care Project, understands this feeling. However, she firmly believes that all mothers need to make time for their own health and well-being.
The mother of two young boys was an avid exerciser throughout her tenure at Grambling State University, working out six days per week. She remained dedicated to running and strength training after college and through the first trimester of both of her pregnancies. Because she has always been in shape, she didn't have problem pregnancies, never got sick and healed very quickly after both births. “By eating well during pregnancy, getting fresh air and having a good disposition about pregnancy, my labors were effortless and pretty quick.”
Vargas is a big advocate for exercise during pregnancy. Her friends who have never been in shape really struggle with postpartum pounds, and it is because they are just now starting to exercise.
Many mothers feel overwhelmed by the challenges that motherhood presents and exercise just doesn’t fit into their schedules. However, when asked what the challenges of incorporating fitness into her life are, Vargas replies, “For me, there are none because it is part of my life just like brushing my teeth. I do recognize that it is a challenge for others. [This is] precisely why it is important for moms to structure their time so it becomes second nature. We get wrapped up in the "challenges." Nope...let's discuss the mind-set. After that, we can get over the challenges. Moms have to
believe they are worth it.”
Her message to all moms: “Always make time for exercise. It is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. You'll feel better, have more energy, and [have] a better outlook on the challenges of parenting once you
build a habit of exercise.”
To learn more about how to make time for exercise and how to make taking care of yourself a priority, check out The Take Care Project.
You can also learn more about Vianesa Vargas in a recent article in Essence magazine.
The Take Care Project is a unique community dedicated to a mother's health. On this website you will find informative articles, reviews for Green living products, and the opportunity to ask questions of some of the industry's hottest experts. It is the only site dedicated to a mom's health on the web. Also, newsletter subscribers get free gifts
every month!
More articles on how mothers are keeping fit in the DC area:
-Fitness and the strength to raise a family
-Exercise is a way of life for a new mom
-Exercise gives mothers more energy
-Moms stay in shape with Fairfax City Fit
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