Modern moms can easily get influenced by the ‘perfect life’ portrayed by social media. In some cases, they find themselves stressed out with what society dictates about perfection (flawless skin and body, strict diets, celebrity workouts, and financial success) and often end up disregarding what truly matters—progress, peace of mind, and the presence of their loved ones.
This Mother’s Day, I heartwarmingly offer all the moms out there a free-of-pressure way to be perfectly fit, healthy, and the best possible version they can be for their families.
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1. Instead of chasing perfection, find solace in the process
Stop the preoccupation with thinness, weight loss, exaggerated caloric deficit, and/or overexercising. Work on sustainable health behaviors that improve overall strength and make body organs function effectively daily.
Be fully aware of your current health status. Take your routine check-ups so you know exactly which lifestyle behaviors to focus on. If your blood sugar is high, you need to avoid or lessen refined carbs, ultra-processed snacks, and sweet drinks. If good cholesterol is low, you need to add good fats to your diet, such as avocado, fatty fish, and healthy oils. If bone health is declining, maybe it’s time to give importance to strength training.
2. Aim to have peace of mind and avoid the pressures of perfection
You can eat a cake or a donut every once in a while, and it’s okay—especially this Mother’s Day. Don’t feel guilty and punish yourself. You can be the best role model to your family by trying not to be perfect in all aspects of wellness. What’s important is that you are aware of your issues and work hard each day to resolve them.
Age, hormones, and priorities in life constantly change. Accept that you cannot do some things as before, like joining back-to-back marathons or competing in intense sports. Reframe your mindset by excelling at being more consistent with your current fitness programs and finding the right balance between your diet, recovery, and movement programs.
This Mother’s Day, let go of the ‘Supermom Complex,’ which is excelling in all the multiple roles you have right now. This can add stress to your physical, emotional, and mental health. Forgive yourself for not doing it all and not having a perfect day.
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3. Instead of adopting society’s perfectionist standards, devote your energy to bringing genuine presence to your loved ones this Mother’s Day
Practice behaviors and attitudes the way you want to be remembered by your loved ones. Refocus your attention from being preoccupied with having the ‘perfect’ look and body into making your presence visible. When you leave this world, your children won’t remember you for looking physically perfect. But, they will think and tell stories about your warmth and how you influenced them to be their best. It’s never too late to devote more time and give more love to them.
Being the best mom wellness influencer (like what you see on social media) doesn’t mean you need to eat, exercise, and sleep perfectly. It’s all about showing how you embrace and nourish your uniqueness while exerting realistic efforts to live a healthy lifestyle, not dictated by other influencers’ flawless eating and exercise plans.
If you want your children to develop a positive body image and not experience mental health issues such as eating disorders, exercise obsession, and depression, then be the role model mom your children need. Your constant concern about weight and fad diets can indirectly negatively influence your children. Aim to develop healthy behaviors focusing on balance, moderation, and a flexible mindset through learning and getting help and constant guidance from wellness and fitness experts.
Email the author at [email protected] or follow/message her on Instagram @mitchfelipemendoza
