megan  mom to Jackson (4 ½ years)  and Ainsley (12 weeks)

I am 33 years old from Southern California. Our family (which also includes 2 golden retrievers - Freedom and Sammie) moved to Washington two years ago to pursue a job for my husband. Although we miss our family and the sunny So Cal weather, we really love the fresh, clean air and friendly people in the Pacific Northwest. I am currently in the process of starting my own speech therapy private practice, and I will be working two days a week beginning in February.

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How are you going to get moving this year?

I just bought the infant car seat converter for the BOB jogger stroller and have used it to start jogging again. It's been over a year since I've been jogging, and although my body is laughing at me (by being SUPER sore after my first run), it feels really good to exercise outside again! 

How are you going to start?

I plan to walk/jog at least a few times per week and hope to join Stroller Strides as well. 

What are your fitness goals?

I am going to sign up for the Mercer Island 10k at the end of March. I also want to start eating healthier (we've started making smoothies for breakfast filled with fruits and veggies). I like vegetables but don't eat nearly enough, so masking them in a smoothie works well. 

Why is fitness important to you? 

I feel better (both physically and emotionally) when I am exercising and eating well. I also want to teach my kids the importance of taking care of their bodies.

What have your children taught you?  

The mundane, superficial things in life truly don't matter. I feel like I am better able to live in the moment and enjoy the "little things" - smiles, laughs, new discoveries and creations, etc. that my kids give every day.

What do you enjoy most about breastfeeding?

The bonding time with my kids (and the convenience of always having their meals perfectly prepared and ready on demand).

What challenges have you faced with breastfeeding?

My son had a difficult time latching when I began nursing him. I had to use "nipple shields" for the first 3 months to get him to latch (which were a huge pain). When he was 3 months old, I wanted to stop using the nipple shields and a friend (who is part of La Leche League) gave me some pointers. He began latching properly (which was great) but soon thereafter I got mastitis from cracked nipples. However, once those healed, my experience breastfeeding him was great. When my daughter was born, she was able to latch properly without any difficulty. However, as soon as my milk came in I became extremely engorged (to the point where my boobs were rock solid for 3 ½ days straight - very painful). Although she nursed through it, I ultimately ended up developing mastitis, but was able to get medication for it right as it was developing. Since that cleared up, breastfeeding with her has been great. 

What advice/wisdom can you share with other new moms?

They will live. I was very uptight and constantly worried about every little thing when my son was a baby. I also had a lot of guilt about needing some personal time away from him. Now that I have had my daughter, I feel more confident in my "mothering" abilities, and know that if I can't meet her every need right away (and she might whine for a minute or two before I can get to her), she will be just fine☺ I also know that taking some personal time makes me a better person, and thus, a better mom. 

When you have a chance to "treat" yourself to something, what is it?

I love to get a pedicure or a massage. Going out to a good dinner is also high on that list.

What are your thoughts on milkmakers and how have you used them?

I think milkmakers is a fantastic idea. I have been eating the chocolate chipo cookies, and they are so yummy. I love that they taste fantastic and are also healthy!

Megan will be posting on our Facebook page about her personal fitness journey. Follow her and see how a real mom gets moving!  

Something great happens when moms share stories: they learn, they laugh, they love even more. Share your stories today and help support a culture that celebrates breastfeeding, motherhood, and family.