Because I Can.

It's taken me a long time to feel like I actually want to take care of my body. It happened quickly after baby #1 was born, probably in part because we lived in Tokyo and I walked literally everywhere. So my "exercise" was built in to my everyday life. After baby #2, I just wanted to sit and snuggle and nurse and enjoy having a newborn and I was, and still am, perfectly happy with that decision.

But there comes a time when you have to make a decision to carry on and be sedentary, or push yourself to be more. I chose to make a change, not because someone told me I had to or flashed a sparkly, magical smoothie or wrap in my face, but because I can.

I wake up before my boys almost every morning. I go to the basement and do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred 4 days a week and I go to boot camp with my best friend once a week. I get at least 10,000 steps in daily because I love that buzz from my fitbit when I reach my goal and because I can.

I drink smoothies and eat salads but I also eat Chinese takeout and order pizza. Because I can.

I have running races with the 4 year old because I can.

I lift heavy things because I can.

I enjoy the feeling of my muscles changing and strengthening, even if it hurts, because I can.

And I want to teach my kids that they can do these things, too. Because it matters.

And because I can.