Lisa Barwise
www.mummyshapeschool.com 

Who was your greatest role model growing up? Your mom, your dad, a teacher, a TV personality?

There was someone in your life that you aspired to be like, admired and probably mimicked- in a good way.

That's what a role model does.

My mom and dad were older when they had me- my mom was 36 and my dad 40.  By the time I become my most energetic around 7 or so, I was running rings around them.  I was so active and spritely I am sure I drove them nuts.  I was lucky to have big brothers who were sporty and played more physical games with me.  But by the time I was 11, I missed having parents that would do things outside with me.  You know, run and play cricket in the garden or take picnics outside.

My dad was overweight and didn't like being in the sun due to having skin problems and my mom was just too busy doing housework and it just wasn't her thing.

So, I began to look outside my family for people to admire or to be sporty with which meant I spent less and less time at home.

What I have realized now more than ever is that I love to be outside.  I love to run, jump and skip and I love that I get to do that with my son.  Josh is definitely my boy.  Too much energy that he doesn't know what to do with!  

When Josh was 4, we did a charity walk for 7 miles and he ran most of it, just for fun.  And afterwards he wasn't even that tired.  At age 6, he ran 3 miles with me in the park continuously without stopping and wasn't even out of breath.

So, I decided to embrace our passions and focus our energy. Now, with our new puppy in tow, we walk or run for miles or Josh rides his bike and we spend hours, even in the winter, in the park, in the woods or by the river, walking, climbing and running.  This is the time we spend together.  The most precious of time.  We have been walking like this since Josh was 2.

I have the energy to want to run outside with him, to kick or throw a ball for our puppy and to plan wonderful trips to the river or woods together.  And guess what, is doesn't cost a thing to spend this quality time.  It's good for all of us to be out in the fresh air, to get exercise, to move and be active.

So, you need to ask yourself, am I physically fit to be a good mom? Can I be the role model to my family to achieve optimum health and fitness? Do I get to spend that precious time with them - together- being active?

If your answer is no, then look at what can you do to get yourself closer to this goal. Make the decision today, set a goal and look for people to support you. 


Lisa Barwise is a Transformation Coach - certified health and human potential coach, weight loss advisor and fitness instructor and is the creator of Mummy Shape School.  Mummy Shape School is an online healthy weight loss community for busy moms where kids are the reason not the excuse. For more information visit www.mummyshapeschool.com. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com