What does summer look like to you? What does it smell like? Taste like? Sound like? Early summers for me were spent in California where almost everyone had a pool in the backyard and if you didn’t, your neighbor did. Putting poolrings on our ankles and pretending to be mermaids. Diving, jumping, holding my breath, staying in the pool as long and as late as we could. It was carefree and smelled of suntan lotion. It was hot concrete and cool water. It was popsicles and the ice cream truck, flip flops and sandals, tan skin and rollerskating to loud music on our CD player (or tape player if we’re going way back!).

As years progress (which they always do even though we want time to stand still) memories of summer shifted slightly. Boys were introduced into the mix, freedom was explored, the beach became our “pool” and the nighttime was for play. BBQs on the beach, moonlight walks in the surf, crushes that made your heart heavy and friends that will last a lifetime. Road trips, tanning, magazines, music, dates,  movies, amazing food. It was also about this time (largely thanks to the magazines) that I became very aware of my body and how I didn’t look the same as my friends. No longer was I carefree in my bathing suit like they still were. I started wearing shorts or something ANYthing wrapped around my waist. I would get to the edge of the pool and take off my covering just before I got in. I would be so envious of not only the girls I felt had perfect bodies, but of those that were maybe a touch heavier than me but just didn’t CARE!!! I didn’t think for a second that my eating habits had too much to do with this, it was more that I probably wasn’t exercising like I should. I ate what my mom made and assumed it was good for me and didn’t question it.

In the year 2001 I left to live in Siberia for a year and a half and my summer there was unforgettable. I had stopped drinking (wow calories), mended my relationship with my Father in heaven and took off for a mission of service. There isn’t a lot of processed things over in cities like Omsk & Tomsk so coupled with more clean eating and walking everywhere I lost soooooo much weight! I helped people plant their gardens, till their soil, taught them to dance, do makeup, how to pray. It was a remarkable experience and I made friends to last a lifetime. It was the first summer that I was pasty white (HA!) and didn’t care about missing the beach. I felt confident in what I was doing and found myself.

I came home, got married, had children and bit by bit gained back and then some all of the weight I had lost in Russia but felt I could hide behind the attitude of “I’m a mom and it’s okay to have a roll or two….or eight.” Now DON’T get me wrong! Our bodies go through a lot to have children and I appreciate the “battle scars” I have earned because my sweet children are worth every one. What I was NOT acknowledging was that it wasn’t okay to be super unhealthy and teach my boys that lifestyle. I wanted to teach them from a young age that being healthy is beautiful. Think about it. Whatever weight I am at, if I am strong, I am toned and have nothing to fear come summer time aka bathing suit time. I can be like the girls I envied and just not care because I take care of myself. 

Since starting Revolt I have found a peace in knowing that I control my body and what goes into it. I can look in the mirror and like what I see. I can change bad habits and replace them with good ones. Better yet I can replace good habits with the BEST ones. I have more energy for this summer that is coming up. I will run around with my kids at Seven Peaks (yay water parks) feeling confident, lighter and more like that carefree kid I used to be. I am stronger now. I eat healthy foods but don’t restrict myself (yay cheat Saturdays!). I love what I am becoming and am actually happy that it’s slowly progressing so I know it’s not a fad and I will gain it all back, but it’s a lifestyle change and I LOVE it!!!