Fit mother attacked on Facebook

[Xithras]

13. As a health nut, I took it a bit differently.

Society has this weird notion that a woman's fitness and health should take a backseat once she has a child, and that loss of cardiovascular fitness is something that should just be accepted. Many people (myself included) argue that maintaining ones own health is one of the most important things a parent can do, because it helps to ensure that the parent will be around longer to participate in their childrens and grandchildrens lives. It can mean the difference between dying of a coronary when you're 65 and your grandchildren are toddlers, or living long enough to watch your grandchildren graduate college, marry, and start families of their own. Most people want their elders around as long as possible, and the only way to accomplish that is to keep some focus on your own health and fitness.

I couldn't tell you the number of times I've heard, and ALWAYS from women, that they were "in great shape when I was younger, but I had kids"...as if "having kids" is really a reason to neglect your own health.

All the gold in the world won't buy you more time on this life. Working out a few times a week WILL. I took her comment as a shot at the societal assumption that women are "expected" to be unfit after having children.