As I watched my son running down the path calling back to me "I'm running Mama! I'm running! Let's run Mama!" I smiled and thought to myself "This is why."
When we think of reasons to stay fit many things come to mind. We check boxes on a list. I want to be sexy, I want to feel great, I want to improve my athletic performance. I for one want all of those things, but I want something deeper. I don't want my sons to see a mother who obsesses over every bite of food that passes her lips, wondering if it will go straight to her thighs. I want them to see a mother who nourishes her body and theirs with wholesome food. I don't want them to see a mother who trudges to the gym moaning the whole way that she'd rather be anyplace but there. I want them to see a smile on my face, knowing I am doing something good for myself that I love.
Last week I had a day where I wasn't going to be able to make my usual evening run so I had to improvise. I decided on a routine in our back yard running sprints with intervals of burpees, pushups, and step ups. I brought the boys out with me, setting my youngest on a blanket in the shade, and big brother running around the yard.
As I started my first sprint I saw him watching me. There was a little sparkle in those big blue eyes. Quick as a whip he was up and running after me. "Mama! Mama! We're running Mama!" Though his little legs couldn't keep up he pushed on. Not a drop of the sweat running down his face could dampen that smile. When I stopped for my first set of pushups he was right there with me. "You doin' workout Mama?" When I replied yes he dropped down next to me and began to mimic my movements with his tiny baby arms. "I workout too Mama! Let's do workout!"
After a few minutes of trying my sweet little man went and flopped down on the blanket next to his baby brother, keeping a watchful eye on me the whole time. As my workout wore on I began to slow. My arms started to shake, my legs were getting fatigued and I finally sat down. Just a quick rest, I told myself. I barely had time to wipe the sweat from my brow before he was at my side. "Get up Mama! You can do it!" My heart skipped a beat as I blinked back a happy tear. How did my two year old boy know just what to say?
Slowly I got to my feet and took a deep breath. As started out for another round I heard him calling "Run Mama RUN!" followed by the sweetest giggles and as I looked back I saw them. My boys, my beautiful sons watching me with the biggest smiles on their faces. Then I knew.
Back on the path, smiling, I call after him. "Here I come!" The wind pushes the hair back from my face and I start to jog after him. This is why.
