When my daughter was born, I dreaded the thought of taking her for a 10-minute walk outside because my back would instantly hurt. The thought of walking to the subway and going up and down flights of stairs and holding her sounded like a nightmare – so I stayed home or close to home a lot more.
After a few months of being focused to get myself healthier, I saw that the ONLY reason I had so much body pain was because I was carrying tens of extra pounds that my body was not meant to carry.
This is me 25 pounds heavier than I am today. I felt pain in my back and legs regularly.
3 months ago, I realized how much my life has transformed and opened up for me – and for my daughter.
A few months ago I took my then 4-year old daughter to a “Mother-Daughter” event in NYC. Our final destination was “Dylan’s Candy Bar” – a multi-level candy store covered from floor to ceiling with candy – a little girls’ paradise.
To get to the candy store, instead of fighting traffic by driving from our home in NJ, I knew taking the train would be easier. We would catch the subway when we got to the city and walk a little to reach the coveted candy story.
I do this on a regular basis so I didn’t think twice about it. We caught the train into Penn Station – and that’s where what I was in for hit me like a pile of bricks.
It was rush hour in Penn Station.
There were thousands of people hustling around in every direction in a hustle and bustle – there were people literally running by us! And I had a little 4-year old girl with me.
We navigated through the crowd, and I showed her how to walk fast and confidently. She followed my lead exactly. She held my hand as we darted through the crowd with our eyes on the “E” train sign.
We boarded the “E” train, and with the standing room only rush hour crowd, I had to balance myself by using my stomach muscles and keeping my back upright as I stood in the subway while I also held her close to me so that she wouldn’t fall.
We had to transfer at Grand Central station – and as I looked at the map I was shocked that our transfer was more than 1/2 mile long – with what seemed like even more people walking in every direction with every step we took!
I walked with my daughter holding her hand, but after about 5 minutes more of walking, she started to get tired.
I had no choice but to pick her up until we reached our next train. Walking in my heels, I hoisted up my 4-year old daughter and we were on our way.
We walked up and down multiple flights of stairs, on long corridor stretches, and up and down slopes.
This is the instant I realized my life had transformed into the life I had dreamed of.
As I was carrying her, my core was firm, my lower back was strong, and my legs carried me effortlessly. I had no pain on my body.
It gets better.
My daughter hugged my neck tightly and had the biggest smile of her life glued to her face. She laughed and giggled as we raced to get our next train. She was so excited to be in NYC with so many people – and she really loved being picked up and held by her mom.
I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I would be able to walk with a 40-pound girl for that long and with thousands of people darting around me.
It felt exhilarating. The whole trip had been an exciting journey showcasing how life transformed for me and my daughter once I lost the weight that weighed me down inside and out.
When we finally made it to Dylan’s Candy Bar, it was everything we wanted and more. My daughter (who ONLY eats chocolate and she’s 4 – what have I created!) lavishly ate Oreos, Reese’s Pieces, and every other kind of chocolate we could find. We explored the candy store in and out.
When we left that evening, my daughter was still smiling and laughing, and so was I.
I felt so fulfilled that I had given my daughter that experience to go from a train to a subway in some of the busiest train stations in the world – and she had seen her Mommy walk through it with no problem. Our destination was the candy store – but that wasn’t even the main highlight of the day. Our active journey was the memory we’ll take away from that day.
Because I lost weight, I made a life transformation that changed the way I relate to my daughter.
If I had resigned myself to the weight that I was unhappy with – the weight that made me lethargic and depressed and want to stay inside more – not only would I have felt bad – but what kind of example would I be setting for her?
I want my daughter to know that I’m going for dreams. And being healthy and happy is the biggest, most important dream I have for myself and for her.
“Good health is the most most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.” – The Godfather Part II
A mom’s example is the the biggest, most influential example on a child. Our kids watch everything we do and they learn from us. If I was sitting at home or complaining about being tired – my daughter would think this was normal.
But now, my daughter thinks going on active adventures and walking for long periods of time is normal – and she sees her mom doing it smiling and happily. This is HER normal.
It didn’t have to be like this, though. Look at my before picture in the beginning of this email. If I had taken her on adventures then, it would have been so much harder on me. I would dread taking her on the train and subway – walking up those stairs would have made me want to sleep for days at my previous weight!
Do you realize that your weight and your health is bigger than yourself?
It directly impacts how you relate to your children, your partner, your friends and the world. When you are leaner, you have more energy. It’s so simple.
When are you going to fight for the life you want for yourself and/or your children? A whole world of hiking, swimming, jumping on trampolines and running 5ks exists for you. Do you want it, before you’re sitting in a rocking chair regretting the life you could have had?
I have a 10-week Weight-Loss Jumpstart program that shows you the EXACT foods to eat to lose weight and keep it off for the long term – even in your busy, urban life. I’ll guide you step-by-step through personalized phone calls and a weekly menu and recipe guide so you don’t even have to think about what to do.
You’ll start running up the subway problems without even losing a breath!
You’ll be so shocked at how quickly your weight will come off once you listen to my advice. And here’s the best part – I make it so easy for you. During this 10 weeks your life will become simpler. You won’t think, “What am I going to eat tonight?” and “Is this food healthy? How much should I eat?” I’ll dispel all the myths and answer all of your questions.
Get started on finally losing that weight and having the life you dream of.
Reader Interactions