LeAnn Stephens Fitness

11/30/2022

1️⃣1️⃣ She FINALLY gets to say it’s her birthday!

She’s been counting down the days for WEEKS! I love that she’s finding her style. She used to be a minnie me, but she’s kind of gravitating toward a Cadence minnie. ☺️ Too cute!

11/29/2022

Her hair is getting so long! 😍

Longer than any of the other kids’ hair at this age.

I don’t fully know why…

It could be that I’m still nursing her. I didn’t make it this long with the other kids. I always had to go back to school or work and ended up pumping, getting tired of it and stopping.

It could be that I had better nutrition and drank a superfood shake everyday when I was pregnant with her and while nursing.

It could be that she’s eating a more wide variety of foods than the other kids at this age, thanks to learning about baby led weaning. Grateful for it on numerous levels!

It could be all of it! I don’t fully know. It reminds me of when I started drinking the superfoods shake…my hair grew like crazy! I just know that nutrition matters. It matters for her and it matters for me.

That’s why I’m doing a 4 week Mommy and Me Nutrition group starting next week. And I’ve invited a baby led weaning expert to join us! The same one who created the course I took to learn all about it when Melody was 6 months old.

The group is truly for you, though. You need nutrition just as much as your baby does. Maybe even more so that you can have the energy, brain power, and “get up and go” it takes to raise these babies.

So we’re going to make sure you get your proper nutrition as well. I’ll advocate for you everyday, mama! I know you’ll do it for your baby. And I know I didn’t always do it for myself. But thankfully I can do it for both myself AND you now (most days 😉).

I’m finalizing this group on Wednesday, so you can feel ready to start on Monday. I’ve got 10 spots, but some are already filled, so if you want to do this, message me now or comment below so I can tell you what you need.

Because you need more than coffee and their leftovers. And they need more than puréed fruits and vegetables.

11/26/2022

Ah yes! I did it! I still need to finish this running program. Because I know enough about myself now, that it’s going to bug me if I don’t, know info there are only 6 days left (5 now).

But it was my kids who encouraged me to finish strong in this run. 🥰

My daughter, Makayla, finished her soccer season, but also not. Her team won first place and is going to what’s called the Commissioner’s Cup. So the team has still had practice. Well, soccer hasn’t been her favorite this season. She kind of dreads it when we tell her to get ready for practice. So this one, having finished a 5K, but not this program, is for her. 💗

11/23/2022

f you’re a mom who has had sick kids and is exhausted taking care of everyone.

Who hasn’t done the regular laundry because the throw up laundry has to be done first.

Who is hosting Thanksgiving at her house and definitely doesn’t feel ready.

I feel you, girl! 😩

BUT…let me encourage you…us.

This is temporary. Your kid’s bodies are healing and this will be over.

You don’t have to do it all, your family will understand. (And if they don’t, you’re doing your best so don’t let them get you down.)

Create moments in your day that are just for you. Today, for me, it was my favorite pumpkin spice creamer I made and my favorite iced coffee 😋 It was sleeping in. It was a slice of pizza with salad. And it was kicking butt in my workout, my last run before the Turkey Trot on Thursday. 🙌🏼

We got this!

11/21/2022

Mommy and Me Nutrition group is goin’ down!! Plus, I’m super excited to announce I’ve invited a baby led weaning expert to join us as a resource!! 🙌🏼 But really, this is for you momma!!

This is for moms who have a baby, who are embarking on feeding them real food, and who also want to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need too, by eating real food.

Because you need more than coffee and their leftovers, and they need more than puréed fruits and vegetables.

If you or anybody you know would be interested, message me or comment below.

I’m only taking 10 mommas in this group. And it’s only happening in December for 4 weeks (Dec 5th-Jan 1st). Super exclusive opportunity here!! And I’m PUMPED about it!!

11/20/2022

Today my sister and her family moved 2/3rds across the country away.

I didn’t realize until it was too late last night just how sad I was about it. When I knew today was the day and I knew I wouldn’t be able to see her to give her a hug. I was just devastated, to put it frank!

For a moment it felt like I’ll never see her again. Because I don’t know when I will.

In another moment I had so much regret over the past so many years when I didn’t go see her when she was closer, or I didn’t text her when I was thinking about her, or I let past arguments and thoughts and feelings keep me from doing so.

But I read, just this week, one of the best things we can do is ask “Where are we NOW?”

Now, in this moment, I miss her, I want her to know I love her, and I DID text her, I did tell her I was sad.

The other thing I read, is that the next best thing we can do is decide to look to the future.

And so it helped that she reminded me that there’s a good city for a girl’s trip super close to where she’s moving. Even if it never happens, it helped me know it’ll be okay, she’s not dying (dramatic side of LeAnn, calm down, there is more time to continue to stay in touch with her.)

Stay in touch with people you love. Don’t let the past dictate the present. Decide what YOU want the present to be and just act on it. Like I did today when I just told her, I’m sad you’re moving so far away.

And so sister, here’s the hug I wanted to give you today. Our girls, in mom’s lap, hugging (your daughter a little more aggressive than mine…it fits 🤣). And mom’s face is just the best. 💗

P.S. Why is it that when you feel like you have a lot of needs, then your kids also feel the same and you have to…you know…parent 😒 But Melody DID sleep for 2 hours and I did some extra journaling to get my emotions sorted, talk to my mom, and workout. 🙌🏼 That helped!

11/15/2022

My sweet girl is right at that age where she can sense she is growing up and wants to, but also knows she’s not quite ready yet.

I told Peter I can tell she wants to cuddle sometimes in the evenings, and I do my best to notice and give her what she needs, but after the day with Melody, it’s not always something I want to do.

Well, this morning, as I was reading during my quite time, she comes out to the living room crying. She had a bad dream. And actually I think it was about our relationship. She told me about it and just cried.

It was in that time that I was able to be there for her, cuddle her, reassure her, and I was oh so grateful I was right where I needed to be in that moment.

You see, after two days of baseball over the weekend, in the cold, in the sun, with Melody, I was tired last night! And I seriously questioned waking up to have my quiet time. But I set my alarm for 5am anyway and told myself I’d decide in the morning.

It was out of pure habit that I just went with it this morning. I just kept doing the next thing I normally do. I’m so glad I did. Because I know her well enough that if I were sleeping and she had that dream, she would not have wanted to disturb me.

When you decide to take care of yourself, you automatically put yourself in the time and space to be able to be there for others when they need you.

You think it’s going to take away from the ones you love, but I’ve found the opposite to be true.

Mamas, take care of yourself first, and you will, by default, put yourself in such a place that you’ll be able to give more to your family.

If you need somewhere to start, reach out to me and ask me about my morning routine and the group of ladies I have doing this with me. It’s so cool to hear their stories like this one. Lights my heart on fire! ❤️‍🔥

11/11/2022

First run he’s done with me. And he signed up to do the Turkey Trot with me. He said “I’m an athlete, mom. I train all the time.” Yep! He’s not wrong. I could tell he could have gone a lot faster if he wasn’t with me.

11/10/2022

11/04/2022

So excited to start this book with the ladies in my group next week.

The ladies are starting to join the group and introduce themselves. I just got giddy in my heart when I read what one of them said:

“In all honesty, these groups really motivate in my journey. It’s the only time during the day I get to be truly selfish and and just focus on me.”

🙌🏼 Yesssss!! That’s exactly why I run these groups every month! Women need a place where we are celebrated for taking care of ourselves! 🥳

If you’d like to join us, check it out in the link in my bio and request to join!

10/28/2022

Last football game of the season for this kid. He had lots of fun for his first time playing tackle football! And I had fun watching when he did get on that field.

I know he’s kinda sad the season is over, but I’m kinda looking forward to just focusing on baseball again. 🙌🏼