Welcome to the very first guest post here on the Strong Mama Chronicles! I'm so excited to introduce you to Lauren. Not only is Lauren a dear friend, a fellow football wife and girl mom, she's become such an inspiration to me (and MANY others!) to embrace your own journey and your own body, and to be a great example for your kids. Her Instagram is a delightful "mess" (her words, not mine) of workouts, mom life, food, and trying to be healthy with two little kiddos. She recently posted about her "athlete body" and I couldn't help but make her come and share her story with my Strong Mama readers. I know it's hard to put yourself out there and be vulnerable out here in internet land, so THANK YOU Lauren, for sharing your heart with us. I know so many mamas need to hear this.
I grew up as an athlete, there was no way around it. My family is active, my parents played college sports and later coached. It’s just in my blood. As a young girl, I quickly realized that my body was inclined to movement. I always felt comfortable running, jumping, throwing and catching. I loved it, all of it. Along with these activities came muscles, developed shoulders, thick legs and a strong back. In my youth I thought nothing of it, I was completely satisfied being identified as an athlete. I was proud of my accomplishments and how they made me feel, I EMBRACED it.
Of course, as a grew up and became aware of how my body differed from other girls there were insecurities; heck, what high school girl doesn’t have some insecurities? However, I always fell back into my comfort zone. I was an athlete, this is how athletes look. I went on to be a collegiate athlete, playing softball at the University of Arizona. It was a dream come true. This is where I learned just how much I loved my body and all that it could handle. My body became my tool. I could write for days about all the things I asked of my body during my years at Arizona. It was an incredible journey and I loved every minute of it. But most things come and go, and so did my career as a softball player.
Of course, as a grew up and became aware of how my body differed from other girls there were insecurities; heck, what high school girl doesn’t have some insecurities? However, I always fell back into my comfort zone. I was an athlete, this is how athletes look. I went on to be a collegiate athlete, playing softball at the University of Arizona. It was a dream come true. This is where I learned just how much I loved my body and all that it could handle. My body became my tool. I could write for days about all the things I asked of my body during my years at Arizona. It was an incredible journey and I loved every minute of it. But most things come and go, and so did my career as a softball player.
I walked out of that stadium for the last time and I no longer needed my body to lift weights, throw balls, slide, dive and swing. I just needed a healthy vehicle to get around on. Talk about an identity crisis!
Over the next several years I tried everything, running, jazzercise, kick boxing, body building, and CrossFit. I knew I wanted to be fit and healthy, but I was now starting to resent my broad shoulders and thick legs. I wanted to be more feminine. I was more concerned with how I would look in my wedding dress than how fast I could run. I guess I thought my body would magically transform once I stopped being a competitive athlete, but there is no changing the way you were built. Confession time, I’ve always wanted runners’ legs! Unfortunately, I just wasn’t built for distance, even though at times I think I’d still like to try!
Ok, back to the story line… When I started doing CrossFit a few years ago, it helped me learn to embrace my body again. Suddenly my ability to lift weights and do pull ups was cool again! The bigger the muscles the better, in CrossFit. However, I found I was left with a familiar scenario, I loved what my body could do for me in the gym, but I didn’t always love how it looked outside of it.
Over the next several years I tried everything, running, jazzercise, kick boxing, body building, and CrossFit. I knew I wanted to be fit and healthy, but I was now starting to resent my broad shoulders and thick legs. I wanted to be more feminine. I was more concerned with how I would look in my wedding dress than how fast I could run. I guess I thought my body would magically transform once I stopped being a competitive athlete, but there is no changing the way you were built. Confession time, I’ve always wanted runners’ legs! Unfortunately, I just wasn’t built for distance, even though at times I think I’d still like to try!
Ok, back to the story line… When I started doing CrossFit a few years ago, it helped me learn to embrace my body again. Suddenly my ability to lift weights and do pull ups was cool again! The bigger the muscles the better, in CrossFit. However, I found I was left with a familiar scenario, I loved what my body could do for me in the gym, but I didn’t always love how it looked outside of it.
Then the big life change happened, KIDS.
It was shortly after I found out I would be having a little girl, that something changed in my mind. I was standing there looking in the mirror, trying to decide if a shirt looked good on me, and were these pants too tight that I had a thought…. What would my little girl think if she saw me looking in the mirror like this? Did I want her to grow up thinking she needed to check every angle and analyze the way she looked before walking out of the door?
No. I NEVER, EVER wanted to see my daughter looking at herself the way I was standing there looking at myself. I knew in that moment that something had to change. (I also realized that my daughter would more than likely be born with a similar body type.)
I knew that I would be an example of how a woman should feel about her body to my daughter. I had to love and accept my body, to be able to teach her to do the same. I now have two beautiful girls, and I dream of the days when I can teach them how strong and powerful they are. In fact, I want to show them how strong and powerful ALL women are. Whether it’s on the field, court, in a board room, a classroom or the living room of your own home; the gifts each of us have make us different and perfect in our own ways. I want them to value and appreciate their gifts, and to support others in theirs. More than anything I just want them to love themselves….
It was shortly after I found out I would be having a little girl, that something changed in my mind. I was standing there looking in the mirror, trying to decide if a shirt looked good on me, and were these pants too tight that I had a thought…. What would my little girl think if she saw me looking in the mirror like this? Did I want her to grow up thinking she needed to check every angle and analyze the way she looked before walking out of the door?
No. I NEVER, EVER wanted to see my daughter looking at herself the way I was standing there looking at myself. I knew in that moment that something had to change. (I also realized that my daughter would more than likely be born with a similar body type.)
I knew that I would be an example of how a woman should feel about her body to my daughter. I had to love and accept my body, to be able to teach her to do the same. I now have two beautiful girls, and I dream of the days when I can teach them how strong and powerful they are. In fact, I want to show them how strong and powerful ALL women are. Whether it’s on the field, court, in a board room, a classroom or the living room of your own home; the gifts each of us have make us different and perfect in our own ways. I want them to value and appreciate their gifts, and to support others in theirs. More than anything I just want them to love themselves….
That’s why I’ve learned to love myself. I am going to lead by example.
I just want to leave everyone with one final thought. If there is something about your body you don’t like, and you saw that same characteristic on your child, wouldn’t you suddenly think it was the most perfect and beautiful thing you had ever seen?
I just want to leave everyone with one final thought. If there is something about your body you don’t like, and you saw that same characteristic on your child, wouldn’t you suddenly think it was the most perfect and beautiful thing you had ever seen?
Boom. Mic drop.
Wow - what a great message and a great journey to share, Lauren. I think we could all use a little reminder to love our bodies and to show our children what incredible gifts they've been given, no matter the shape or size. If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to share it with your friends and fellow mamas. And you'll love following Lauren's sweet family and fitness journey @laurenp_fit on Instagram!
Wow - what a great message and a great journey to share, Lauren. I think we could all use a little reminder to love our bodies and to show our children what incredible gifts they've been given, no matter the shape or size. If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to share it with your friends and fellow mamas. And you'll love following Lauren's sweet family and fitness journey @laurenp_fit on Instagram!
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