With Mother’s Day just nine days away, I thought I’d share a Mother’s Day post that was really well reviewed. I hope it provides some shopping and quality time inspiration. Wishing you a very healthy and happy week! Feel free to forward to a friend or mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Michelle and her mom dancing up a storm circa 1978
30 years later she is still helping me be healthy. Thanks for all the wonderful guidance Mom!
This year consider thanking Mom for the healthy habits she instilled in you. It has been said, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” Well, mothers can and often do provide a foundation for our activity level, body image, hygiene and dietary habits. When done well, this is a powerful and extraordinary gift.
- insistence that you eat your fruits, vegetables or milk
- breast fed you as an infant
- insisted you wear your seat belt
- got you off the couch and outside for play time
- drove you to all of your sport practices
- limited “screen time” (although we didn’t call it that back then)
- attended your meets/competitions/games
- made sure you at breakfast every morning
- cooked for the family
- encouraged you to not waste food
- encouraged you to respect your body
- asked you to stand up straight
- told you you were beautiful
- insisted you wash your hands
- made you clean under your finger nails
- made you floss
- took you and your friends to outdoor spaces for fun
- led by example by participating in exercise or sports herself
- led by example by quitting smoking
- led by example by eating her vegetables, fruit or milk
- led by example by following the advice of her doctor
- took you to your annual physicals as a child
- had your immunizations up to date
- played outside with you
- rode bikes with you
- went for walks with you
- swam with you
- taught you to swim
- taught you to ride a bike
- taught you a sport or physical activity
- took you camping
- helped your father or siblings be healthier
- took exercise classes with you
- did her best to help you when you tried to lose weight
- planned family trips that included activity or outdoor time
- supported you in finding solutions to your medical concerns
- led you and the family by by being a healthy example
This is by no means a complete list, but it does give you an idea. Moms do so much for us that this part of their job may have been overlooked. As a fitness expert, I encourage you to think about these gifts as we celebrate and appreciate our mothers and ourselves next Sunday.
Here are a few healthy gift ideas for the mom that has been asking for a little help:
- Pedometer and a Promise -if she has expressed an interest in exercising more, why not schedule a weekly date to go for gentle walks together?
- Class – pay for and gift a water aerobics, fitness class or dance class to take together
- Picnic in the Park – pack a Sunday morning picnic and enjoy it together in a beautiful park, fresh air, time to talk and walk, few distractions
- Advocate to Mom – attend her next doctor’s appointment with her, exchange contact info with her doctor, ask questions when appropriate and take notes so your mother can feel supported
- New Kicks – a great new pair of walking shoes or workout clothes can help with getting moving again
- Mix Tape – inexpensive and heartfelt -why not make Mom a new walking or workout CD of all of HER favorite music
- Fun with Flowers – buy your mom flowers for her outdoor spaces and plant them together (remember to bend at the knees:))
- Basket of goodies – reusable water bottle, dried fruit, dark chocolate, homemade banana bread (use apple sauce instead of oil), and any other small items that would make healthy snacking or exercise easier for her.
