This post is part of YummyMummyClub.ca‘s support of the Dove® Unstoppable Moms for Unstoppable Girls Contest. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors. Go to www.UnstoppableMoms.ca to enter by sharing how you inspire girls to reach their full potential.
My body has for many years been something that has held me back from doing the things I love or trying new things.
My mental fight with my body began when I was a teenager. I was a competitive rower, a proud, fit athlete. I trained hard. I was slim, fit and in many ways the ideal weight for my height and age. Then, my coach changed my weight class for rowing and my world shifted. I was now a ‘lightweight rower’ and needed to keep my weight beneath 125lbs. I was weighed in front of every rower in our team (boys and girls) and told “you need to lose a few pounds or we’ll be disqualified.” It was the most hurtful moment of my life. I was gutted emotionally, and mentally. In that one single moment all of the things I was proud of vanished away. I saw myself as fat, food was the enemy and I feared the scale.
When it came time for our race at Nationals I knew that I had to step on that scale in front of my whole crew. Each one of our weights was measured and even one pound over could equal disqualification. One pound could be the difference between racing in Nationals or losing months of training.
To prepare us, our coach sent us on a ‘sweat run.’ We had to put on as many layers of clothing as we could, then put a garbage bag over top and run 1K. The purpose was to sweat out as much water weight as possible.
We weighed in, and qualified.
What that experience taught me was that I wasn’t good enough, that no matter how fit I was, I was in danger of being overweight. As a result I developed an eating disorder that I battled with for years.
Fast forward 20 years later. I was overweight, got pregnant with twins, and after that pregnancy was horrified by my body. Most days I didn’t want to go out in public, I didn’t want to exercise for fear people would laugh at me. I felt judged at work, I worried that my boss thought I was lazy. I chose not to go to parties because I didn’t know what to wear. I didn’t want to go to parties or dances because I didn’t want to people see me dancing.
The moment that brought me the most shame was when I was considering quitting my boys’ swimming lessons when they were infants because I didn’t want to put on my bathing suit. I couldn’t believe I was putting my own body image ahead of what is best for my children. I went and my boys loved it. I knew at that moment that being a mom was a privilege and a responsibility. I need to make the right choices for me and for my family.
I am an unstoppable mom because I really believe that women of all shapes and sizes need to participate in a variety of activities/sports/clubs to show young girls that you can do anything and be anything at any size. While I have struggled with an eating disorder and have since gained quite a bit of weight, I am focused on healthy eating, I do CrossFit 3x a week and model a healthy lifestyle to the young women I work with every day. While I still have issues with my body, it was this body that gave me my beautiful twin boys.
I am an unstoppable mom because I know what it is like to hate your body, but I also know what it is like to accept and embrace your body and jump into life with two feet.
While working with Dove on this campaign I learned that 6 out of 10 girls avoid activities because they feel badly about the way they look. However, when girls have a role model at home, they are less likely to let anxiety about their looks hold them back.
More often than not, this role model is Mom. Long before peer pressure kicks in, Mom’s behavior shapes who their daughters are and who she will become. Unstoppable Mom’s that are setting positive examples for their daughters deserved to be celebrated.
Are you an unstoppable mom? Share YOUR story about a time when you thought about quitting an activity you loved because of how you felt about your body and let them know how you think moms/role models can better support girls to participate in activities. You have until June 13, 2013 to enter. You could win $2,500 for yourself and $2,500 will be donated to help raise a girl’s self-esteem.
Check out more stories on YummyMummyClub.ca about amazing unstoppable moms:
http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/family/mummy/unstoppable-moms-for-unstoppable-girls
You are unstoppable! Great post! I think every woman struggles at some point with body image. I sometimes even catch myself saying something derogatory about myself and one of my kids will pipe in “Mom, you’re not fat” or “Mom you look good”. I forget that my self talk affects them – both my boys and my step girl. We set the tone for their future images….
Leah Davidson recently posted..My Big Boys
So true Leah – it really is often all of the things we say and do when we think our kids aren’t watching/listening.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..From Stopped to Unstoppable: How I Became an Unstoppable Mom #GirlsUnstoppable
Thanks for your post! I am so sorry for what happened to you with rowing. It’s unfortunate some experiences that should be positive turn out to be so negative.
Some days I too hesitate to jump in the pool with my daughter. But she get so much joy from swimming I put my body issues aside and focus on her happiness.
It’s been hard to adjust to a body after pregnancy, but I hope I will be able to be a good role model to my daughter and hope she never sits out of anything!
Sarah Lynn recently posted..On Gender (AKA Why I Let My Daughter Play With Any Type of Toy)
Good for you Sarah – isn’t it wonderful to see how kids faces light up when they are in the pool. I love getting the chance to swim with my boys.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..From Stopped to Unstoppable: How I Became an Unstoppable Mom #GirlsUnstoppable
I can’t imagine being weighed in front of people like that! I’ve always been self-conscious about my weight so that would have been terrible for me.
Cheryl recently posted..Games with Parachutes
Cheryl, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It truly was demoralizing.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..From Stopped to Unstoppable: How I Became an Unstoppable Mom #GirlsUnstoppable
thank you so much for sharing my friend. You are unstoppable and i am proud of you
You are awesome and truly unstoppable! No one should ever determine how we should look and what’s best for us. Only you can know the true answer. And I’m SOO glad you got involved in your kid’s activities anyways, because we can be the hardest judges on our own bodies after suffering from other’s opinions, and it’s important to embrace ourselves and get involved! :)
Thanks Brandi – it is so important to be involved, I know my boys are the better for it :)
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
What a brave post. Body image is something many of us fight with. I had a boy in high school say I was on his list of ‘pretty girls with big boobs’ list. He probably thought it was a compliment. I internalized it negatively and for over a decade felt subconscious of my chest size and dressed to hide it. Amazing how a single event, inconsequential to someone else, can have such a profound impact. Dove is doing great work.
Susannah recently posted..A Blissful “Yoga” Birthday – Namaste
Susannah – it is amazing how other’s words and actions can affect us for so long. I was so excited to be a part of this campaign, really important work.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
This was a great post. Thanks for sharing your story. Beautiful picture of you and your boys!
I had a similar experience with my daughter’s swimming lessons. For some reason, my hormones get out of whack periodically and I get acne on my back. (It seems to get extra bad early in my pregnancies and then clear up in the second trimester.) Early on when pregnant with my son, part of me wanted to avoid the swimming lessons because I was self conscious about my back, but I went anyway and my daughter’s enjoyment was definitely worth it!
Manager to Mom recently posted..5 (More) Differences Between the First Child and the Next One
So true. The thing I kept thinking every time we have swimming lessons is that the other parents are too busy enjoying the moment with their own kids to worry about me and any insecurity I might have.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
Wow. Just wow. This was such an amazing post. I think you’ve touched on something so many of us can relate to. Have I mentioned to you lately how much I love your blog…and you??
Christine (@chancesmommy) recently posted..Filipino Bistek (Beef Steak) @CanadianBeef #LoveCDNBeef
Thanks Christine! You are the sweetest :)
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
Bravo, you are absolutely an unstoppable woman and mother. You share a personal story that so many can relate too. I’m so glad that you shared this post….we MUST change the trajectory for young girls and sharing stories like this helps to pave the way.
Thank you Monica for your kind words. It is so important that our young women feel empowered and beautiful in their own bodies.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
So weird, I have some similar issues. I feel more confident and happier in my skin now (100lbs overweight) than I did at a healthy weight. I think age helps
gingermommy recently posted..SUBWAY® Spinach and Avocado Launch
I hope age keeps continuing to help! Then I’ll only keep feeling better and better about myself!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..P & G Fathers Day #Giveaway
Wow what an amazing post! I can totally see your trials with your rowing experience! You are unstoppable for sure and this post proves it!
Kelly @ City Mom recently posted..The Importance of Fibre: Are you getting enough? {Free Product Coupon}
This was a very moving post and I heart ranching. Women do struggle constantly with their weight and I think this is something most can connect to. You are brave for sharing and admirable for the feat you accomplished.
Jillian recently posted..Virtues Pick … Devotion.
You are definitely unstoppable. :) What a great post and your twins are so cute. :) I think my role model is my mother too. :D
Wow! I can’t believe that was allowed to happen. That experience would affect anyone. I too had that inner monologue about swimming with the kids and being seen in a bathing suit.
Shannon recently posted..Artsy Play Wednesday June 5 ~ Daddy & Me Father’s Day Footprints
…And look at you now baby!!!! Amazing what horrors we can experience early on in life eh? What makes you unstoppable is the fact that you didn’t let that experience be your story and we are all better off for it , so are your children, family and friends! ROCK ON MAMA! Awesome post
Natalie @ PegCityLovely recently posted..Get Camp Ready with Oliver’s Labels Review & Giveaway
Kudos to you for posting this Kerrie and for becoming an unstoppable mom! I’m so glad you shared your story and makes me feel like I’m not alone when I don’t feel so great or confident about the way I look. Especially now that summer is here!
Cheryl @ Kids On A Plane recently posted..DK Canada Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining Book Giveaway
Thank you Cheryl! It has been quite a journey.
I just find that 6 out of 10 so disheartening. We need to do better than that. Great post Kerrie.
Candace recently posted..Cups – When I’m Gone
I had NO idea you were a competitive rower. I adore you, and I hope you know that. This just popped up on the You Might Like posts at the bottom of your content and I was like WOW!!! This is a whole new side of Kerrie. Beautiful post. Bravo.
Aw thank you Paula! Much love. Yes I was – such a fun and exciting time in my life. Loved every minute of it. Hope my boys find a sport they are that passionate about!