shanmonster | Don't Blame Your Kids

When I teach fitness/dance, invariably, someone will ask me if I have any children. When I say no, they laugh, point at me, and say, "Oh. That explains it!"

I do not agree with this. First of all, being child-free is not a recipe for fitness. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are. Case in point, I'll bet you know of many, many, many child-free women who are not in shape, because they eat poorly and do not exercise. And yet I know of lots of mothers who are far more fit than I am, because they do. There are plenty of moms who are professional athletes, dancers, and body builders.

Having a kid might slow you down for a bit, when it comes to fitness. And physiological changes can also come into play. Even if you're fit, you may have a different build than before pregnancy. But having children is not a reason you cannot get yourself in excellent physical condition. Stretch marks do not prevent you from being fit.

I am not about to get knocked up to prove a point, but if you pick up a copy of Oxygen magazine, for example, and flip to the back with all the pictures of competitive body builders, you'll see that a fair percentage of them are mothers.

A cursory online search for "fit moms", "athletic moms," etc. will garner you lots of proof that it can be done.

I believe that regular exercise and good diets are for everyone, and wish more people would take better care of themselves. You can set an excellent example for your children, and raise healthier kids, too.