Out of all of the wonderful roles I have been given?wife, friend, daughter, sister, trainer?there is one that stands out far above the rest?my role as a mother. I have been so blessed with 4 beautiful children that I get to love, teach, and nurture every single day, and for that I am beyond grateful. But my role as a ?mom? doesn’t stop there.
During different seasons of my life, as have many of you, I have had the amazing opportunity to be mom to so many! From my EWL peeps, to nieces and nephews, and everything in between. Being a mother is surely not bound by labor and delivery?it means so much more! From dads who have stepped into the role of ?mom? due to various circumstances, to women who have struggled with infertility but have been blessed with children through the miracle of adoption, and of course those who have shown endless love to children and friends around them providing the selflessness and care that is prerequisite for motherhood. Regardless of what ?mom? looks like for you, there is one common thread?unconditional love. And oftentimes that unconditional love means sacrificing our own personal needs for those around us.
While we love those we take care of and the things we get to do?whether it?s at home, or at work, or both?it?s also crucial that we ?moms? take care of ourselves. Yes?eating healthy and exercising regularly are so important, but often overlooked (and just as important) is taking some time for some R&R?Rest and Relaxation.
I know so many of you, myself included, feel like there just aren?t enough hours in the day as it is?so adding some daily R&R doesn?t even seem possible! Believe me, I?m right there with you. But I also know that when I do get it, even if it?s only for a few minutes, my outlook on life and how I handle the stresses in my life, improves in some pretty amazing ways:
- Reduces those stresses, and since long-term stress can cause so many health issues, getting rid of as much as I can is so important.
- Lessens anxiety.
- Boosts my mood. Those around me really appreciate that one! 😉
- Helps me remember things better. That?s a definite plus!
- Improves my ability to focus, which means it takes less time to do what I need to do, and I make better decisions.
- Helps curb cravings.
- Boosts my confidence.
- Reduces anger and frustration. Chris and my kiddos are very thankful for this one. 😉
- Helps my whole body, including my mind, repair itself = a stronger me!
The benefits of daily, or even weekly, R&R are so far reaching, that they vastly outweigh the cons of taking a personal timeout! As mothers, it is our duty to be there for the ones we love, and if we don?t carve out some time for ourselves now, we may end up limiting our capabilities in the future!
To get you started on your new path to a more healthful, restful lifestyle, I?m giving away one $100 gift card to a local day spa of the winner?s choosing! To enter, simply (1) comment below with why YOU need a mama?s day out, (2) share this post on social media channels and tag me, and (3) follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, May 5th. Good luck?and if you aren?t the lucky winner make sure you still take the time to celebrate motherhood and honor the amazing role you?ve been given through some good old fashioned relaxation. We ALL deserve it!
Xoxo,
Heidi
173 Responses
I would love a day out or to even relax! I have an almost 6 year old son and a brand new baby girl!! Even with one I never had time to myself, now I really don’t 🙂 I love being a Mom and wouldn’t trade it for the world, but with a husband gone with the military…. It’d be nice to win something like this for ME. I think I deserve it!! 🙂
I would love a chance to this give away! I have two beautiful children (9 and 4months). I am lucky enough that I get to take my baby with me to work, and like every mom out there I would love a mama day out!
Hi Heidi,
I am a 36 years old mom to 5. I work outside the home doing home health taking care of a wonderful woman. My husband works full time evenings. Have kids in multiple sports, cheer leading, dance, volleyball, tennis, cross country, and basketball. Some parents get season breaks between sports….no this one. I am overweight, trying to lose weight is difficult. Between taking kids to school, work, sports, taking care of the house and the husband there isn’t much time left for just me. My husband and I don’t go on getaways very often. We usually always take all 5 kids. Going out for dinner is usually a good thought but always gets interrupted. Thanks for your consideration.
Heather
Would love to have a little R&R this Mother Day! Every Mamma needs a time out!! 🙂
I submitted my comment but I would actually like nominate my friend/soul sister. We became friends while our husbands were training 6 years ago and we both had our boys 2 months apart 2 years ago. During her delivery her son had a stroke and having an MRI 2 weeks ago they found out he had damage to the left side of his brain. He will endure a lot growing up and her husband is training again and she’s dealt with this for the last 2 weeks as we are at different duty stations now. Her name is Mjndy Weynand. She has amazing strength and could really use a day to herself. If I need be I will drive to her so she can have a day to herself.
While, I would really love a day at the spa…because I own my own business, starting another business, raising two kids and doing many many hours of volunteer work for my community. My Mom lives in California and I live in Michigan. We talk almost everyday now but it’s hard not having her close by. As she is getting older it’s more my Dad that I worry about. My Mom has to stay close to home and care for him. It makes it hard for her sometimes since she’s still very active for her age! I would love for you to pick her, not me. I can always get the R&R I need for myself, but I don’t think my Mom would do it for herself. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day with your adorable children and cutie pie husband. You are an amazing woman and a great roll model Heidi Powell!
I will start by saying I don’t think I “need” this or “deserve” this but I would LOVE this. I am a wife to an infrantry man, mother of 2 13 months apart, and trying empower women one day at a time. I have a surgery coming up to either repair my uterus or a hysterectomy I will not know until I wake up. I have had medical issues since the birth of my daughter a year ago. I’ve had 1 surgery in January and now another one coming up later this month. Watching the show last year and watching my mother have 3 surgeries last summer I decided I want to get healthy. I was 183 when I had my daughter and I’m now 120. Your show inspired me and gave me the confidence I needed to start my journey. I was overweight for a few years and going into my pregnancies. With my son I was 173 the day I found out I was pregnant with him, lost 14 pounds and then gained the 14 backduring the second half of my pregnancy, I got down to 155 before I got pregnant with my daughter 6 months later! My husband missed my sons pregnancy and delivery by 1 day while he was deployed. (I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks after he left) and then he headed back overseas when my daughter was 11 days old. He came back when she was 6 months old. I lost all of my weight, started exercising, stopped drinking soda ( I have NOT had 1 soda since May 27th 2014) and now I’ve started a group on Facebook just for women. I didn’t have much positivity through my lifestyle change so I just wanted to help, encourage, empower, and motivate women. Even if it was just 1 I was happy. I started my group Bella-Fit 3 weeks ago and have 138 active members who encourage, share work outs, receipes, and encouraging words. My heart is filled with so much joy. I love my husband and stand beside him as he loves our country, I love my children so much, we tried for 5 years and had 2 miscarriages along the way, now I’m facing a surgery that will affect me the rest of my life. I love watching your show. And the tips you share online. I often share them to my group because I have learned so much from you and your husband. By watching the show I knew I wanted to help people as well. I don’t need or deserve this but I would LOVE some R&R! There are more deserving women and mothers. I don’t have a Twitter account but I do follow you on Facebook and Instagram! Thanks to you and Chris for being such caring and positive people. Happy Mother’s Day to you and everyone else on this page.
I am a mom of two, work full time with an hour commute each way.
Hi Heidi
To be perfectly honest I need the R & R because I have been working my body, heart and soul hard. I have two babies (Mariella 2 almost 3) and (Brenner 11 months). My husband and I will be married 4 years in September and for where I live I am not necessarily considered your typically “mom” because I’m 28 and a SAHM ( stay at home mom) . However because of the gift of my marriage and kids I have had the opportunity to work with other moms and babies as a fit4mom instructor. While you where pregnant with Ruby I was able to discover a whole new idea of what it means to have a “healthy” pregnancy- and to have strength for motherhood! I discovered my body could do things I never thought possible. My daughter was born via a csection so when I got pregnant with my son I knew I wanted to try for a VBac… (Vaginal birth after csection) This by the grace of God did happen! But I know the physical and mental strength I needed for my sons labor never would have happen if I hadn’t had your example during pregnancy to stay strong and healthy! After my sons birth I wanted to get into the best shape of my life. I told my husband one night while I was still pregnant I “want abs like Hedi after this one” I’m sure at the time he thought I was crazy but I had a goal! So now almost a year after my sons birth I am in the best shape of my life! I am absolutely in love with carb cycling my copy of “choose more to lose more” is a mess from all my reading and recipe making. I wake up at 5 am 3 mornings a week to swim and 2 to run and then either teach strollerstrides or take a Hiit/trx for strength training. I hope to compete in my first Olympic race triathlon this summer. But because of your example I still make sure to get my daily balance “hug” (love my ice cream). So thank you for being the mom and women you are because everyday you inspire me to push harder, love bigger and prayer longer! Count on my prayers – Kristen
Being a mom is very rewarding, thru good and tough times. I’m a mother of 2 my son is 20 and my daughter is 17 and stepmom to 4 and they are 30, 27, 17 and 18. And Grandmother to 3 children 4, 8 months and one in the way all boys :). My life is busy but full of life. With my husband gone half the time for work gets a little tough. I would love to have a little R&R to be centered and ready for more.
Thanks!