Author: Laura C.
This past spring, I began looking for something new to add to my fitness routine. I felt like I was starting to plateau training on my own, so I went looking for something to push me toward progress. I tried out a few different gyms with boot camp and/or group fitness styles. Eventually I discovered Prime Intensity Training (PIT) and was excited to see they offered two free trial classes. However, it only took that first class for me to become hooked. I instantly fell in love with the rawness of the gym and felt challenged in ways I never had before. I knew it was an investment worth making in myself, so I signed up.
At the time, I was in the midst of a divorce, going for my MEd, working every day and looking for a new place to live- all while being a full-time mom. A large part of me felt very guilty to be putting time and money into a gym membership for myself. Now that I am a single mom with sole custody of my son, I still suffer from the mom-guilt of making time for the gym, because I don’t want to take time away from my child. Whenever mom-guilt starts to creep in, I remind myself how vital it is for parents to lead by example. We tell our children how important it is to take care of yourself, mentally and physically, yet rarely take the time to practice what we preach. Children have a natural tendency to copy our behaviors more than our words. In this way, it is very beneficial for my son to witness me prioritizing my health, even amid chaos and busy schedules. He sees me striving to be a better person. He is watching me show dedication and build strength. I tell my son that I love working out because it makes me feel stronger and keeps me healthy. He appreciates that I take care of myself so that I can be more active, and be around longer, for him. It has also given me opportunities to talk to my child about healthy ways to manage negative emotions. Taking classes at PIT provides me with a healthy outlet for my stress, which in turn helps me be a more patient mother.
My son has watched me take classes at PIT and was so excited to see me flipping tires and slamming kegs. I have overheard him tell people how strong his mom is, and even use that as evidence of the capabilities of women. As a single mom, acting in both a mother and father role, I felt comforted by his belief in my strength. So even though our children aren’t always listening, they are watching. They are learning from our behaviors and internalizing our habits. Therefore, instead of feeling mom-guilt for taking time away from my son, I take pride in the fact that I am setting a good example for him. I am showing him the importance of prioritizing your health, managing negative emotions, consistency and working hard toward your goals. I am so grateful that I found an amazing gym like PIT to challenge me, help me get into the best shape of my life, and allow me to be a positive example of strength to my son.