She did it all (and still does) - A Mother’s Day Reflection

The influence of a mother on physical activity can be profound and long-lasting.

Research has shown that mothers play a critical role in shaping their children's attitudes and behaviours towards exercise and physical activity. A mother's encouragement, support, and active participation in physical activity can help instill a lifelong love of movement in her children.

On this Mother's day, you may be thinking about your own mother and her role in shaping your own physical activity habits.

I know I am.

For those of you who know my mom, you will know that she is an "all in" kind of person. She did it all and still does!

When I was a child she was a huge supporter of physical activity. She would have taken me to most of my sports practices be it rhythmic gymnastics, t-ball, swimming lesson, tennis, you name it, she was all in with getting me to be physically active. I have fond memories of going on bike rides with her around my childhood neighbourhood and playing all sorts of games that made us move our bodies.

An elementary teacher by training, she is a natural coach, although she would argue with you that she is not athletic at all. She was even my soccer coach, although she doesn't love sports nor had she ever played soccer before. My mom definitely supported the idea of team spirit and the community that sports brings.

My mom even went so far as conquering her fear of deep water on one of our family summer vacations to Edmonton (where we both live now). It was the late 1980s and all kids dreamed about the wave pool at West Edmonton Mall.

She planned ahead and rightfully surprised me when she came into the wave pool with my brother and I. Her plan was to strap on her glasses with an elastic headband that she brought along from home.

For the woman who is deathly afraid to put her head underwater and equally scared with not being able to touch the bottom of the pool, this was a large feat to come into the wave pool!

Her biggest fear was losing her glasses (and maybe drowning). She had a trusty little elastic headband to keep her glasses in place.

I can still see a snap shot in my mind now, of us being in the water, riding the waves on an inflatable mat and shouting for joy (I think!) with each wave that rolled into shore.

Now as an adult, her commitment to physical activity continues. We have covered many, many miles of walking whether it be with traveling, walking together in our respective neighbourhoods or pounding the pavement on our marathon shopping adventures. Cha Ching!

For the woman who doesn't believe that she's very athletic. She sure does physical activity well.

Who is your supporter? It may not be your mother that was your role model. It may be another strong female force that currently supports you and your physical activity.

My mom does it all. Even when she may not even love it as much as me.

Case in point. She showed up at my recent free yoga class this past week. She didn't have to do that. But she always does.

This cannot be understated. A mother's influence can have significant implications for her children's health and well-being, both in the short and long term.

I know you're reading this mom. I love you. Happy Mother's Day to you and all the other women who demonstrate what is possible with physical activity!

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa

Exploring Victoria, British Columbia