Recently, my fitness business has really been taking off. I have been enjoying some nice momentum driving people to my site, and becoming more well-known in the fitness industry. However, I did not start blogging to be famous, or to be praised. My motivation for maintaining my fitness business and my site is simple — I have a passion for health and wellness, and I believe that there is a lack of “good” information on the web regarding fit pregnancy and parenting.
I believe that it is important to debunk the myths surrounding pregnancy and parenting.
- It IS possible to continue working out throughout pregnancy.
- It IS possible to eat well and prevent excess weight gain.
- It IS possible to bounce back quickly after delivery.
- It IS possible to maintain a workout schedule and eat well when you are a parent.
- It IS possible to get your pre-baby body back.
However, many women do not want me to debunk these myths. Unfortunately, many women actually want to use pregnancy as an excuse to be smug and lazy. And because of that reason, I am being criticized — some behind my back, and some to my face, and some both. I have even been “unfriended” by one or two new moms who do not want to hear that it is possible for them to workout during pregnancy or shortly afterwards.
So, what am I going to do about it? Absolutely nothing. I am going to keep moving forward and influencing women to be healthy. I refuse to be judgemental of the women criticize me for being happy and healthy. God does not give me the luxury of harboring judgemental, unforgiving thoughts toward another. For every 1 person who criticizes me, 16,232 come to my site and are influenced and encouraged to be healthy.
I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to be healthy — to put good food into our bodies, and to exercise. I have trained clients in the gym for 8 years, and I have seen women transform their physical body, and emotional and spiritual state by developing a healthy lifestyle. And I will continue to preach health until the day I die because I want to influence women to be healthy and happy!
If you are currently in a situation where you are not healthy, and you want to change, please contact me! I would be thrilled to develop a wellness plan for you and help you become healthy and happy. You will find no judgement here.
Fit Pregnancy and Parenting 
I’m new to your site, however, I really respect what your mission is. I’m not a mom yet, but I know women who have exercised throughout their pregnancy and it made me realize–Yeah I can do that too. Why not? So basically, good luck and keep moving ahead!!
Wow, thanks so much!!! That is very encouraging. Thanks so much for visiting my site and taking the time to comment! I hope you have an awesome night, and I look forward to connecting again!
Thanks Amanda for sharing. We can apply this in many aspects of our life.
Yes, for sure! I was almost in tears yesterday after being ignored by a former friend who does not share a passion for health, and who chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle during pregnancy and afterwards. I have peace in knowing that I cannot harbor judgement, and I have already forgiven, her, but it is still hard sometimes. Thanks for reading, Erin!
Same as the previous comment! I’m not a mother yet but I’m 100% positive I will continue with my healthy lifestyle during and post pregnancy! I would think that eating healthy is even more important during pregnancy since your nutrients are what is absorbed by your baby. So many women use pregnancy as an excuse and I don’t plan on being one! My trainer at the gym works out till just a few weeks before birth with every child! (5!) She’s definite proof! Good luck, I love your site ❤
Thanks so much Gina!! I am 100% confident that you will have a fit and healthy pregnancy if you are already committed to it now! Yes, I agree — it is even more important to eat healthy when you are pregnant. I honestly do not understand how some women can use it as an excuse to put junk food into their bodies. I took “eating for two” seriously, but I ate even more healthy when I was pregnant and was sure to log my food and make sure I was getting the proper nutrients. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you have an awesome night!
Amanda, I wish I had been challenged by you 20 years ago…when having kids! There are a lot of myths out there…and you are “de-bunking” them. I was a client when you were pregnant and continue to be….because you live out what you believe about health. I was sucked into the myths for two decades….and now am retraining my mind and body! Thank you for helping me to move towards “become the best version of myself”. Hold fast to the calling you have been given. You are changing the lives of people…including mine.
Aw, Kim this brought me to tears! YOU are the reason I am passionate about personal training. I am so impressed that you did a 5k yesterday and pushed through physical obstacles to make it happen! Thanks so much for this encouragement!!!
Awesome post! Never stop encouraging people to be healthy and fit!
Thanks so much Tara!!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to read 🙂 I’m headed over to your site now 🙂
This is great Amanda and I agree they they are all myths!! Excited to be a SPA with you and get to know you better 🙂
Thanks so much Katie!!! I am excited to be an SPA with you too and I’ve already had so much fun getting to know the girls! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment — it is appreciated!
I think it’s fabulous what you are doing. It IS possible to get your pre-baby body back…even after *2* babies! Most women, like you said, use pregnancy as an excuse to let themselves go and then don’t want to put in the time and work it takes to get back to where they used to be. Thank you for the encouragement and challenge to keep going even when it hurts, I’m tired, etc. Keep it up!
Yes, Krista, you are SO RIGHT! I hope I can prove that it is possible to get my pre-pregnancy body back after 2 babies as well 🙂 Keep inspiring others by being a fit mom!!! Thanks so much for the support and encouragement to me too!
Awesome post! I wish I had read your blog when I was pregnant…I was one of those lazy ones unfortunately. Good for you for standing up for what you believe in!!!
Thanks Mindy! Well, it sounds like you are certainly a fit mom, and that is something to be proud of!!! Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
It makes me so sad that anyone would want to ignore you or criticize you for any of this. You do such an amazing job promoting a healthy lifestyle, one that I believe that God would want us to hold to. I think sometimes people can’t bear the truth of their reality so they simply put all things that remind them of it out of sight and mind. I hope this friend comes around and can apologize to you and maybe seek your wisdom. If not, I hope they can find peace in whatever is causing them to harbor these bitter feelings. You’re amazing and don’t you dare stop 🙂
Thanks so much Hillary! You are right, and that is very well said! These comments and everyone’s support has completely turned my day around!!! 🙂 You are doing an awesome job being a fit mama! Keep it up!!!
When I was having babies, I didn’t have a clue about fitness and exercise. Back then, I though that because I was thin, that was enough. Now so much information is available, it is a shame that some women still don’t “get it.” It’s really for them (and their babies), to be healthier, feel better, and recover faster.
It’s really their problem, though, if they don’t want to listen. You just do what you can do.
Thanks girl! I agree — so much information is avaiable. It still shocks me the amount of women who would ask me if it was safe to exercise when they saw me running while pregnant. But, most of them were much older, and I feel like there is no excuse for younger women who are pregnant now with all the information and research studies out there! Thanks for reading and commenting!!
Amanda,
I very much relate to your post. I too am very silently criticized and judged, mostly by other moms, about training so hard on triathlons. That’s were a lot of guilt comes in from as well. I understand them though, for x or y reason they have not made a commitment to fitness and the way to feel better is by putting others down. I wanted, with my blog, to show them that I too have fears and insecurities and that i don’t have it all figured out but that by putting one foot in front of the other a path is being made and this one is mine. Theirs might be different and I respect it, but i ask for respect on mine. Keep on, I enjoy your blog very much!
Thanks Cristina! Aw, I am sorry to hear that you are criticized and judged too. You are so inspiring with your committment to your tough training schedule! I like how you are willing to write about your fears and insecurities on your blog too though. Thanks again for the guest post this weekend and thanks for reading my blog! Keep up the awesome job being a fit mom!!!
You go girl!!! There will always be haters but you stay true to yourself and to your passion. You are an inspiration to so many women!!! You are 100% committed, dedicating so much time and energy to helping others and for that I think YOU are amazing. Keep up the good work. 😉
THANK YOU Tonya! Right back at ya girl! I am so excited to see where your nutrition business takes you! We need to get together now that I’m back from Vegas! Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to comment! 🙂 It is so encouraging!!!
I’m so sorry that people have treated you that way. You’ve been a great encouragement to me.. And it makes me want to be an even more fit mommy. Keep it up Amanda!!
Thanks Brittany! I am so glad that you have been encouraged by my fitness business, and I’m thrilled you are committed to being a fit mommy for your adorable little family! You have proven that it’s possible to bounce back after 2 kids!!! I’m impressed 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting, it means a lot!
I’m new to your blog- I found you last week after having a mild anxiety attack from the weight that my scale read. (I’m 23 weeks pregnant-just had my first weight spike). It’s been a challenge for me to find good sites for moms to be who for working out. I can’t tell you how much I’m glad to read that exercise is recommended during pregnancy- there is no way I could ever use this time as an excuse to eat what I want and be useless. If anything, I feel like now is even more important to make sure I’m eating right and staying active. If I don’t eat my veggies, I feel like my baby is not receiving important nutrients too. And even though I’ve always been one to have a nightly dessert, I feel incredibly guilty for eating a scoop of ice cream instead of a pile of fruit. Keep your head high and keep doing what you’re doing! There are plenty of Moms and Moms-to-be out there who want to be healthy and in shape and we NEED awesome blogs like this to keep us encouraged!
Thanks Jen!!! I am so glad you found my site! And I remember being super concerned about my weight on the scale when I was pregnant as well. Don’t worry though — if you are eating right and exercising, you will not gain excess weight. Your body will do what it needs to do to make a baby. Some weeks I gained 3 pounds, and other weeks I didn’t gain anything. The second trimester I gained most of my weight though, and then I didn’t gain much of any in the third trimester (don’t think I even gained a pound my last month). Thanks again for taking time to comment and be an ecourgement to me! I hope you continue to find my site useful! I am working on making a fit maternity apparel line (I had the hardest time finding tasteful, and reasonably priced maternity fitness clothes). Would you be interested in something like that?
Thank you for the encouragement!! I’d absolutely be interested in a a fit maternity apparel line. It’s soo hard to find!
This is a phenomenal blog! I have had the same reactions from many friends. As much as it hurts, I know that my journey is for me and my family! You inspire many more than you make jealous. 😉 I applaud not only your ability to shrug off the negativity, but also the fact that you took a higher road about it! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks girl! And It’s great to know that other people can relate 🙂 Thanks for reading. I look forward to checking out your blog too!! 🙂
Reblogged this on SPORTS BRAS AND SIPPY CUPS and commented:
I can relate to this blog! Please read!!!! 🙂
I can so relate! I was teaching TurboKick up until I was 35weeks pregnant and people gave me looks and rude comments all the time about it.
Keep spreading the word about all the positive things about being a fit & healthy mama! And its so nice to “meet” like minded passionate healthy people!!
❤ Lina
Thanks Lina! Yes, I got major glares when I was still working out hard at 35 weeks pregnant too. Lol. I will keep spreading the word! And it’s great to meet you too. Sometimes I get lonely in this industry, but it’s so awesome to find people on the web who share my passion!!! Thanks for reading :)_