LETTER TO MY YOUNGER MOMMY SELF

Dear Sara aka “The New Mommy,”

I’m sooooooo proud of you Mrs. New Mommy…look at you gettin’ it in! You’re out of school, married to your college sweetheart, and now blessed with 2 beautiful baby boys.

As a New Mommy, you now understand what it feels like to be willing to sacrifice it all for someone else. You’ll do anything to ensure your kids are loved and protected, even if it means sacrificing your own life. Welcome to the special sorority of motherhood. You’ll forever have the unconditional gift of a mother’s love, and that special kinda Super Mommy Power!

But…Sara, I’m worried about you.

 If you continue to neglect yourself for the sake of your kids – you’ll lose your happiness, your beauty, and ultimately YOURSELF. You’ll look in the mirror and have no clue who she is.

What is it about women and mothers, where we’re preconditioned to think of others first before ourselves, ESPECIALLY when it comes to our children? As a mother you’ll always struggle with this. Don’t get me wrong, our children are intertwined with every fiber of our being – 9 months plus the rest of our lives…and that’s why we can love so deep. 

However, I remember 7 years ago being in your exact same situation – smacked by this epiphany as I looked in the mirror to realize…

I DIDN’T RECOGNIZE THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME. 

WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO ME?

WHERE DID I GO..AND WHEN?

I hadn’t slept in weeks, I had on my husband’s 4x shirt, my hair hadn’t been combed in 5 days, and it would be lunch time and I still hadn’t brushed my teeth or showered. I felt gross, unhealthy, and unhappy at who was staring back at me. 

What happened to me? How did I not notice I got lost somewhere, and where do I find her? Could I get her back? 

Baby Girl I know how you feel…but let me tell you…GIRL YOU GOT IT! 

Sis it gets better...WAY BETTER. That deep place of depression gets better. The laziness and lack of motivation you feel will be no more. The depth of despair because things are out of your control - let it go! It’s all going to work in God’s plan and timing. Although that dark tunnel seems endless, there is a light at the end of it, which is near. 

Plus that body you thought you lost and that sexy woman you thought was long gone ...you’re gonna get her back!

In fact, not only are you going to get her back, you’re going to get her at an even happier, healthier, wealthier and sexier state. SIS you’re like fine wine, you only get BETTER with time! Your upcoming self-discovery journey mentally, spiritually, and physically is going to blow your freakin mind!

All you gotta do is start living your life for YOU! Be patient and kind to yourself. Perfect parents and perfect children don’t exist. But a healthy happy you makes the best children.

So unapologetically DO YOU! At first you’ll feel guilt, you’ll feel selfish, but you have to because your well-being depends on it. You can still be a bomb Mom, but start doing things that make YOU happy. 

Create some alone “me time” for a morning walk and workout at the gym. Get a babysitter so YOU can go out with your homegirls you’ve been neglecting.  Make plans for YOU to be loved on, pampered and spoiled – even if it’s YOU doing all the loving, pampering and spoiling. 

When you start doing this and getting your life back, guess what I can promise will happen? 

You’re gonna set up the most magical date with A SUCCESSFUL-EMPOWERED-BADAZZ WOMAN IN THE FUTURE… WHO’S YOU! She will be YOU AT YOUR BEST…AND SHE CAN’T WAIT!

Love,

Your Future YOU

P.S. And because you’re gonna commit to doing these great “Get It Back” at-home workouts TODAY... that future body of yours is gonna be sooooo #FYE!

4 sets of 10 lunges

4 sets of 20 body squats

4 sets of 20 pulse squats

4 sets of 20 jump squats (watch form and knees)

Half-Mile Walk/Jog/Run

...AND SMILE MORE (yes work those cute dimples and cheek bones too lol)

MOMMY LOVESara Hood