Ever asked a mom what the number one thing standing in between her and losing weight was? Michelle Williams is willing to bet it's your kids. And she means that in the kindest way.
The Blue Valentine star is arguably one of America's most famous single moms, and she has got a rocking body. Which she realizes she can maintain thanks to her lifestyle (hello nannies to keep Matilda busy while Mom hits the exercise routine!). So now she's giving back to other American mamas.
She's co-founded the The Yoga for Single Moms Project, a free class that even offers, get this, childcare for your kids! Says the project's vision statement:
Single moms take care of everything. So, we take care of you .... Through free yoga classes, along with simultaneous (but separate) childcare, moms enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of yoga without financial or childcare constraints. In the meantime, kids enjoy a fun place to explore, create, play, and learn, through yoga.
I've never taken yoga, but it sounds like heaven even for this married mom. Finding the energy and the time to go to an exercise class was long my biggest hurdle. Then I found a Zumba class where the owner has a child around my daughter's age, a kid who sometimes takes part in the class. She's been open on the days when I didn't have childcare to let my kid stand in the back and copycat the class. It's taken a load off of my mind, and my mom bod is already feeling better a month into the classes. I have definition in my thighs again! And my neck cracks again (although the stress is still there).
It's hard as a mom to put yourself first -- even harder, I'm willing to bet, as a single mom -- but sometimes you have to do it as much for your kids as for yourself. They need a mom who feels good about herself and who's healthy enough to take care of herself.
And who better to remind us of that than Michelle Williams? I have to say I love what she's doing here, acting as a role model for other single moms, yeah, but even more so putting her money where her mouth is. And while she's out talking it up, she's taking a backseat in Massachusetts, where the first program is getting off the ground, to give the program some real credibility. She's referred to on the site only as "Michelle, a single mom from New York who has long appreciated the benefits of yoga in keeping her grounded and calm." The top billing goes to the instructors, Chanel Luck and Bonnie Argo, who will be serving the moms. You can hit their site and contribute to help them keep the project going for all the other moms out there.
Do you ever feel like you'd be able to work out more if it wasn't for your kids?
Image via Facebook
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
Comments 28
If I didn't have kids, I wouldn't have a medical problem that made me need to lose weight either. :) I have home videos, but my toddler finds them offensive. She turns off the TV, stands in front of me and screams... it's just lovely.
i won't lie, so yes.
No I dont blame my kids for that I blame myself for my lack of willpower
I manage pretty well even with the kids at home, but certainly I'd have more options if there was free (or any) child care. Then again, maybe not, since my younger boy has special needs and is a serious handful for people who don't know his quirks (and mad manipulation skills) - if my yoga studio offered child care, I don't think I'd ever be comfortable leaving him there, and then the yoga would be pointless.
Anyway - awesome idea - go Michelle!
Lmao...no one is bIaming kids. It's called sacrifice, giving up, reprioritizing etc. etc. etc.
Yup, I'd work out tons more if I weren't exhausted from a full time job, being a wife and a mommy. I'm able to switch days with my husband to exercise at the gym. On my off days I've been able to do turbo jam dvds, and on my days I go to Zumba at the gym.
I would lo0ove if I had a yoga class like that in the podunk military town we're stationed at.
Another GREAAATTT workout resource is Baby Bootcamp! This was godsent, being with my little one and working out with other mommas was amazing.
That is awesome!
My girls want to exercise with me, more then once we have almost tripped over each other because they get in the way.
I workout at the gym on base in the tiny family room. My son gets really bored in the even tinier kids' area. Just thankful we even have a room! Even more so for the television so he can watch cartoons.