Finding your Mama tribe

Shortly after I moved to Austin with my husband and then 18-month old son, I embarked on the adventure of creating a life that would satisfy me and help my child to thrive.  I was blessed by finding the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group at St. Louis Catholic Church in Central Austin.  Not everyone in the group (including me) were members of St. Louis, and not everyone in the group was Catholic.  But we shared the common bond of motherhood and its especially intense challenges of being mostly stay-at-home moms to young children.  The women I met in this group became dear friends, and for more than two years I enjoyed their company, wisdom, and friendship.  I knew that once a week, I had a place to go (with babysitting provided!!) where I could be myself for two hours.

Although I haven’t participated in the group regularly for more than a year, I still see my friends on mom’s night outs and other celebratory occassions.  I was honored when they asked me to speak at their end-of-year Open House.  I am going to talk about “Functional Fitness for Busy Moms,” a topic that I know is relevant to my friends– and pretty much every other mom, too!  If you would like to join us and find out more about the group, the meeting is from 9.30-11.30 tomorrow, May 27th.  The group meets at St. Louis Catholic Church on Burnet Rd., just south of Anderson Ln.  Childcare is available free of charge in Wozniak Hall.  Just email me and let me know to look for you.  Open arms and hearts await.

Banishing Negative Self-Talk

We all do it.  Even those of us who try to live conscious, positive lives.  It is such a part of our society that we often don’t even realize we’re doing it until someone calls us on it.

Last week I was at my trapeze lesson, and after climbing the ladder I was atop the platform awaiting help to attach the harness cables.  I was chatting with one of my instructors, telling her about how my recent lessons had been exercises in frustration.  After making initial progress learning the trapeze quite quickly, I’d seemed to have hit a wall.  She encouraged me to think positively, focus on what I was doing correctly, and realize that trapeze is a subtle yet complicated art and sport to master.

When I got down to the ground after fairly successfully completing my trick, I heard two of my classmates talking.  They, too, were discussing the learning curve of trapeze– which is surprisingly shallow at first–and how it’s only after your confidence is built up that you start to learn the swing and other ‘back end’ tricks that bring your progress to a screetching halt.  We were sharing stories of frustration, reveling in our common misery.  As we talked, we became more and more critical ourselves and the skills we were practicing.

Another instructor heard our whining and asked why we were being so self-critical.  After all, hadn’t we all just begun learning trapeze a few months ago?  Couldn’t we see how much we had learned?  Why weren’t we embracing the power and creativity and freedom and just plain fun that trapeze is?  Certainly we should strive to improve our skills, but how was the negative self-talk helping anything?

It wasn’t.  And I’m now working hard to banish it.  Fun is far more important than perfection.

Old School Exercise

My parents, intent on recreating my lovely childhood for my children, gave the Bear and the Monkey a dome climber for Christmas.  My husband was skeptical of this newfound addition to our backyard landscaping, but I told him the boys would get good use out of it. 

Tonight some of the neighbors came over for dinner, and it was amazing how long four boys– ages 2-5– could keep themselves happy with such a simple toy.  First there was climbing.  Then there was hanging.  Then there was jumping off.  When they needed a little break, the dome climber turned into a spaceship, and some fantastic imaginative play really took off.  (Pun very much intended, thank you!)  Once the boy astronauts landed on the rings of Saturn, there was more climbing, hanging, and jumping so they could explore.

At the end of the evening, four red-faced boys came back into the house.  The evening reminded me about the joys of simple play, when exercise and imagination come together for good clean fun. 

As I stare down a long summer with no school for either of my kids, my mind is beginning to fire with ideas of games I played as a kid.  Kick the can.  Marco Polo.  Red light/Green light.  Red rover.  Those are all classics we can play together.  A backyard field day– with sack races, one-legged races, egg-and-spoon relays, obstacle courses– is certainly going to be on our calendar this summer as well.

Feel Good, Look Good

Given the amount of time and energy I spend keeping my body healthy, I can’t say I do myself a lot of favors with the way I dress.  As a personal trainer with an always on-the-go schedule, I’m often in some type of workout wear.  When I’m not working, life with the Bear and the Monkey necessitate casual clothes that breathe easy.  It’s been a life of solid color tees and shorts/jeans for me.  I’m not exactly a schlump, but I’m definitely not fashionable either.

Enter Michelle Rodriguez.  She is the owner of Well-Styled, a fabulous company that will do everything from edit your closet full of clothes with nothing to wear to be your personal shopper at whatever price point you choose.  Michelle’s style sense is obvious, but it’s her approachability and enthusiasm for helping her clients feel confident that make her so fantastic.

I met Michelle this morning at Francesca’s Collections, and she gave me a crash course in summer dressing.  I tried on various sundresses and halter dresses, all with simple but lovely accessories as well.  Michelle’s eye for color and cut were dead on.  Even though there were two dresses I *never* would have picked out for myself, they were really flattering when worn.  I liked how I felt much more polished in a matter of seconds.  Presto!  Chango!

I can only imagine what Michelle would do for me if she saw my dresser and closet—- well, honestly, I imagine she’d weep.  But then she’d have a million suggestions for me, all graciously delivered, that would whip me into the more presentable state I desire to be in.

A lot of my clients ask me for ideas for rewards as they reach different health and fitness goals.  My newest favorite recommendation is a consulation from Well Styled.  After all, with good health, a great attitude, and nicely fitting stylish clothes– you’re unstoppable.

Prenatal/Postnatal Group Fitness Classes Start Tomorrow!

Join us for a fun and fantastic cardio and strength workout tailored for each stage of pregnancy and postpartum. These circuit training classes provide a safe and effective workout as well as a venue for meeting other pre/postnatal women.

NEW SESSION STARTING MAY 9th!

NEW LOCATION!
Evolution Fitness
3309B Hancock Dr.
Near the intersection of Hancock & Balcones
Behind Crenshaw’s Athletic Club
Saturdays, 1-2pm

Seven sessions (May 9th – June 20th), $65
Drop-in, $10/class

Need more information? Want me to hold a space for you?  Send me an email: karen@balancepft.com

 

See you there!

Need an awesome Mother’s Day gift?

Internationally-known career strategist and life-balance coach Renee Trudeau is giving away FREE downloads of her outstanding book The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal.  The offer is good only May 8-10, so don’t miss this opportunity to treat your mother– or yourself– to some words of wellness wisdom.

To take advantage of this offer, just sign up here, and the link to download the book will be emailed to you.  Then give yourself the gift of time to read and digest the ideas in the book.  I’m sure you’ll find them resonant; for me, Renee’s chapter about “good enough is good enough” has changed the way I think about many aspects of parenting (and being a wife, sister, daughter, etc).

If you find the book compelling and want more strategies for living a life of intention, guided by your core values, take a look at ways you can Live Inside Out for an even greater sense of wellness.

Good health and great happiness to you.

Good Advice

I spent last week riding the Swine Flu Rollercoaster. Between the unending media coverage and the local school closing announcements, there were many who appeared convinced the End was near. And while I certainly do not make light of the illness and the speed with which it can spread, I admittedly chuckled smugly as I read the advice that came home with The Bear from his elementary school:

-Get plenty of sleep.
-Wash your hands frequently.
-Exercise regularly.
-Eat nutritious food.
-Avoid stressful situations.

Haven’t we heard all of this before? I have a mental tape of my mother saying all of those things, pretty much every day for my entire childhood. And although the thought of a new virus sweeping through the world at an alarming rate *is* reason for pause, I find it refreshing that the tips for avoiding falling ill are the same common sense tips that ground a basic sense of wellness. Life is complicated enough; when good advice is simple, I’m grateful.

Good health and great happiness to you.