Meet Melissa.
My name is Melissa and I so excited to be featured on Fine Fit Day for Fit Mama Friday! I blog at Fit ‘n’ Well Mommy and I have a very active three-year old with baby #2 on the way!
Staying active and being healthy have always been a part of my life; it is who I am. It started with my grandmother who led a healthy and active lifestyle (even doing the splits at 80 years old!), which she modeled for my mom, who exercises regularly, and eats and cooks healthy food.
When I was a little girl, my grandmother said, “You only have one body, so you need to take care of it!” Her statement has resonated with me throughout my life, motivating me to maintain a healthy lifestyle, staying fit (even at times when I’m tired and don’t feel like working out) and modeling healthy habits for my son.
As parents, we are the most influential models for our children, so practicing and modeling a healthy lifestyle is vital. Since Keenan was an infant, we have involved him in our grocery shopping, picking out produce at our local farmer’s market and cooking healthy meals. When Keenan started eating solids, I made all of his food, cooking fresh produce that we picked out together (he in my ergo carrier). As he got older and could pick out the produce himself, he started helping me load our basket with fresh fruits and veggies. We have a lot of fun naming all of the produce and talking about how we are going to prepare them. When it’s time to cook the food we bought, he likes to be our “Sous Chef” and add the spices, stir, or mix. When the meal is ready, he is even more excited to eat what he helped pick out and prepare!
In addition to eating healthy, I am an avid CrossFitter, and I’m continuing to do it while I’m pregnant. Since we moved and no longer have access to a “box,” I do all of my WODs (workout of the day) at home, in our newly built garage gym. Keenan plays alongside me or does his “workout” while I do my WOD. He loves to row, do burpees, squats, and his version of push ups!
CrossFit aside, we take family bike rides, walks, and jogs (Keenan loves the BOB!), on a regular basis, thus practicing a healthy and fit lifestyle together. We both want Keenan to grow up being active, eat healthy and—most importantly—have fun while doing it!
Being healthy as a whole family is not just what I believe, it is a way of life. Without health and fitness, I don’t know where I would be. It is what I do day in and day out. And, I need to feel my best in order to keep up with Keenan and any other children I may have in the future. Leading by example is how I was raised, seeing my grandmother and mother maintain a healthy lifestyle—a positive habit—which I will continue to model for Keenan and his future brother or sister.
Thank you so much for your guest post today on Fit Mama Friday, Melissa! I love hearing about mamas starting off with a fit pregnancy. 🙂
Don’t forget to check out Melissa’s blog, Fit ‘n’ Well Mommy and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Fit Mama Friday
Every Friday on Fine Fit Day I feature a Fit Mama story of how and why a fit and healthy mama ensures fitness is a priority in her life. You’ll read about all kinds of women and their fitness stories. Some are stay-at-home mothers, some are single mothers, some juggle more than one job on top of motherhood, but they are all committed to a fit and healthy lifestyle. As you’re getting ready for your weekend, I hope you’re inspired to be active after reading about these kick-ass mamas on Fit Mama Friday!Do you want to be featured on Fit Mama Friday? Or do you know someone you’d like to see featured? Please contact me for details!
Melissa, I love your focus on fitness with your family. And it’s so wonderful that you had a role model like your grandma. My situation has been the exact opposite. I’m hoping to figure out a way to do some of the same types of things you’re doing with your son with my grandkids. It’s a little different since I don’t get them all the type but I’m hoping to find a way.
Carla recently posted…Almond Raisin Oatmeal Bowl Recipe
Thanks, Carla! Taking your grandkids on bike rides, walks to the park or even turning on music and having a dance party can be simple, but fun ways to encourage them to be active. When it’s raining and super cold out, we have dance parties in our living room all the time. My son loves it! It is definitely hard to encourage regular physical activity when you don’t get your grandkids all the time, but if you always do something active when they are with you, they should certainly pick up on that. A little bit is better than nothing!
Melissa @ Fit ‘n’ Well Mommy recently posted…Fit Mama Friday!
Aww, what a sweet little family! Best of luck to you, Melissa 🙂
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Thanks, Heidi!
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Love this – even though I’ve been following Melissa, I didn’t know the back story about how and why she is so into fitness and healthy living. Awesome about her grandmother still being able to do the splits at 80!!
Kim recently posted…Well, the Break Is Over but There Is Still Plenty to Enjoy!!!
Thanks, Kim! My grandma was and will always be my role model! She was amazing in all that she could do up until the day she passed away!
Melissa @ Fit ‘n’ Well Mommy recently posted…Fit Mama Friday!
She sounded like an awesome woman, Melissa! 🙂
I love that you have a home-made gym in your garage! I’m slowly working on acquiring home gym equipment 🙂 Sounds like your son is a future CrossFitter!
Amy @ {Life to the Full} recently posted…2013 Revelations + 2014 Resolutions
Yes, it has been so nice to be able to work out at home and at anytime. However, I miss the camaraderie of everyone at a box, but the convenience is well worth it. My son definitely loves CrossFit!
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