What behavior are YOU modeling?

Aug 5

Exercise and fitness have been core values of mine for as long as I can remember. I did not grow up in a sports family. My siblings didn't participate in sports. We primarily valued family, education, hard work, and nature. So when I think back to where I get my value for fitness, I am reminded that my dad played tennis and my mom used to ALWAYS do aerobics as exercise. She worked two jobs but she found/ made time to exercise. I vividly recall she used to do Jazzercise. Jazzercise was an exercise class similar to modern day Zumba.

As a single mom, she would take me with her to class. I would sit in the back and watch. While watching I would learn the dance moves and follow along with them. I would usually make fun of my mom as she danced because, that's what kids do. She wasn't a dancer; that's not what the class was about. It was about dancing as a form of exercise and she enjoyed it. (And so did I)

Fast forward to when I became a mom. I thought about all the things we as parents teach our children. From birth, we teach them how and when to eat and sleep. We show them what love looks and feels like with our hugs, kisses, words of encouragement, and loving discipline. And we show them how to treat people, even ourselves.

I thought about how health and fitness has been a value to me most of my life. I would like for her to see it as a value in her life too. So, what did I decide to do, show her, not just tell her.

As a result, I've run full and half marathons. For years, I have walked and jogged around the neighborhood. When she was a baby, she would join me in her stroller. As she got older, I would often invite her to join me. When she did, she often wanted to race. I would just let her run fast to the corner, and I would catch up as she waited to catch her breath.

Now, she is my high school basketball star. (She honestly gets her athleticism from her dad's side of the family) But when she's not playing basketball, she lifts weights, runs, swims, does pushup and planks at home.

Now, when I am in an exercise slump, it is Kennedy that encourages me to keep it up. She is the one that holds me accountable to my fitness goals. I am proud to say, she picked up what I intended to model for her. I pray she will decide to continue into her adult years.

I am reminded of a verse in the Bible. John 5:19 - "Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."