When I grow up, I want to be tough.
Not like a motorcycle riding mama or anything, but a strong, athletic chick who can scoop up my kids and save them from a fire or scary pervo if need be – and hell, avoiding diabetes and heart disease would kind of rock.
Back when I was a young, single slip of a girl, I was a pretty avid exerciser. I ran five days a week and did races and was really pretty buff, at least for someone who is a big fan of carbs and beer and chocolate and whose genes give her the build of her Polish washerwoman ancestors.
Then I got married, and infertility treatment put crazy hormone weight on, and I quit smoking and got cable and had two babies and basically turned into a lardass couch potato. A state of affairs I realized during my last pregnancy would have to change as soon after delivery as I could muster.
Luckily, I have inspiration (and a local Y with child care). There's our own deeply badass Kelly Mills, who writes about health and fitness here and also at her own blog, Fitness Fixation. Kelly's wit and heart are as in shape as the rest of her, so it's worth a read even if your exercise is limited to walking to the fridge.
And there's Doctor Mama, who I came across from infertility blogs, but guess what? She's the inspiration and drill sergeant behind The Maggots, a group of lovelies she's teaching about running.
If they can't help whip me into shape, well, nothing will.
Photo: Fitness Fixation
