My workout today…with my son…
No school today, no problem. The kids know my routine. When I go in the basement to workout, the rules are…if you are going to join me….no talking to me, no yelling, please just let me do this…etc. So I began my upper body workout and my 7 yr old son decided to use the ellipitcal. Today I realized I have inspired him. He pedalled away on that thing for a half an hour. Then, proceeded to make a chart and write down his time and calories burnt. So he sits down on the carpet and tells me he wants to beat it tomorrow. So I ask him what he means. He answers "you know Mom, burn more calories". Keep in mind my son is very thin and needs to gain a few pounds 
. So I move onward and spend a minute or two logging in some of my weights/reps in my book…I turn around and he is under the Smith Machine rowing. I had 140 lbs of weight on the thing that I just did close grip rows with. He proceeds to pull the thing all the way back, slowly lowers it down. He turns around with the biggest sh*t eatin grin I ever saw. I almost fell down. All I can think is…OMG, his back…OMG…he’s hurt for sure. He stands up and says " oh yeah Mom…that was great". Once again we had the discussion about safety and to please NOT touch my stuff without asking. But I realize I am inspiring him…who knows, the next Layne Norton maybe????
January 19, 2009 at 9:39 pm
My daughters come down stairs while I workout to (age 3 and 6) and always say look dad I am excercising. They are usually doing step arobics or jumping rope or some other cute excercise. I always feel good because we as parents lead by example. Good work and I am glad you boy didn’t hurt himself.
January 20, 2009 at 5:04 am
Great story. It’s wonderful how you touch his and our lives. May you both keep moving forwards and enjoy your journey.
January 20, 2009 at 6:42 am
LOL, that was so cute. I love how he wants to challenge his skinny little self and I got a kick out of him saying "oh yeah Mom…that was great.", like he had an incredible workout, LOL.
My oldest son (he’ll be 9 in a couple of weeks) saw me working out when we were snowed in and said he wanted to do it too. So he’s curling 5# weights and said he hopes he’s PUMPED and strong for his basketball game the next day.
January 20, 2009 at 6:46 am
Kids are awesome like that. My 4 year old girl always wants to hang with dad. I can’t wait to get home.
January 20, 2009 at 8:53 am
Shan, if I could get him to eat ANYTHING healthy….I would have him start real training now!! Thanks for sharing
January 20, 2009 at 11:26 am
I recently wrote about the same thing. A year ago I was role modeling sitting on the couch and being miserable. Now I’m role modeling healthy eating and fitness and he is following suit. I’m so grateful I got ahold of myself early in his life (he’s just three) so that he can know this going forward. I love to see him with his 1 pound weights doing bicep curls and telling me he needs to do his "cardios" or eat his "protiens". It’s awesome. Great story.
January 20, 2009 at 11:32 am
My two year old son is a beast….He is the king of cable exercises. He’ll move the plates back and forth from the machine to the weight rack. He can lift more than half of his weight!! My older son (5) is the sugar police. He watches out for my mom to make sure she’s not eating too much crap!!
Great story
January 20, 2009 at 11:34 am
I am happy I shared this story, thankyou for your input! It does the heart good to know you are having a positive influence on your children. Especially with the obesity rate on the rise..it’s never to early to start thinking about fitness!
January 20, 2009 at 12:01 pm
My 4 year old is trying to do push ups, only it’s his bum that goes up and down
January 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm
That’s wonderful betty! He’s trying and that’s a great thing.
January 20, 2009 at 12:34 pm
LOVE your story! it is so incredable the influences we have on our children!my son is also trying to be all buff and "get healthy" as he calls it-he is 5 and can crank out 8 pushups (real ones,then he gets silly and will do like 5 crazy ones-trying for the one arm p-up!) he also does ab work with me and eliptical when im not on it..he really enjoys spending time with me during the workouts at home-he curls his 5# weights,loves plyo moves and tries to teach his little sister how to do things. amy,i think it is so awesome you are leading by example and are able to have found it within yourself to make the changes in your life necessary to be the healthiest,fittest,best supermom ever! again, you never cease to inspire me as im sure with many others as well- keep up your great work!
January 20, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for all your support Melissa! Sounds like you are being a wonderful inspiration for your son too!