My birthday is Sunday, September 30th, which coincidentally is the same day as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. So, I've decided to make the 5km run my birthday party. And you're invited.
Cancer sucks. Breast cancer made my dad an orphan when it took my grandmother's life when my dad was 16. Fast forward to today where breast cancer continues to affect the lives of too many women. So I'm going to run in support of my friends who have had mastectomies, radiation, hair loss, and those who've lost their lives. I'm also runing for my daughter, your daughter, all our daughters who should never have to battle cancer when they get older.
So, I've started a YMC Team and I'd love you join me on the morning of my birthday. I can't imagine a better party—a bunch of like-minded women coming together to run 5km, sweat, laugh, cry—you know, really live life.
If you'd like to join the Ontario team, here's the link to the CIBC Run for the Cure sign up page for my team. Since this event happens in 60 sites across Canada, our Community Manager Eileen Fisher is leading a YMC team in Abbotsford, BC. If you live in that area and want to sign up, here's the Abbotsford team page link. If you live in other parts of the country and want to be a team leader for your area's Team YMC, you can email Eileen here and she can get you organized. Best birthday gift ever? Having YMC Teams coast to coast.
When I invited a few friends to run with me, they nervously responded with, "Do you I have to actually run????"
My answer is this: You can hop, cartwheel, or walk. It doesn't matter. Just do it! You'll feel better about yourself, you'll be with me on my birthday and you'll be raising much needed funds to go towards innovative research, education and awareness to create a future without breast cancer. Win. Win. Win.
Chances are many of you are reading this and for whatever reason can't be with me on the 30th. In lieu of the birthday gift I know you were going to buy me, why not make a donation to our team! Here's the link to donate! No amount is too small. Seriously $1 to $1,000 or anywhere in between!
One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. One in twenty nine women will die from it.
Cancer sucks. Let's do something about it together on September 30th!
This is proudly sponsored by the Canadian
Breast Cancer Foundation, CIBC Run for the Cure.
www.cbcf.org/ontario/Pages/default.aspx
YMC is my baby. I launched it almost six years ago to connect with other moms so we could celebrate and commiserate the realities of modern motherhood. It's grown into a magnificent tapestry of mothers' voices. Through all the posts and articles we publish, you see life through the prism of motherhood. This site only exists because of you. If you don't read YMC, it withers and dies. And if you don't write for us, there are fewer voices and storytellers to for us to learn from.
I love getting feedback on what we're doing right....and wrong. If you have a complaint, we try and address it asap! As painful as it may be sometimes, that's how we learn and grow.
And the good feedback? Well, that's what makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Here are a few awesome comments from YMC readers I wanted to share. They mean so much to me and to the whole team who make YMC come alive every day. So thank you to every women below who took the time to comment.
"No one could prepare me for how lonely and overwhelming motherhood can be. I signed up, starting receiving the newsletter and found myself excited to devour the info. With hair full of comet vomit and Mum Mum's and not a single piece of clean clothing within reach, YMC got me through this phase and all the subsequent phases of Motherhood. This is such an edgy community of Moms who want and will have it all. It has provided me with hope, inspiration and a million new ideas for Motherhood. They say it takes a village to raise a child and YMC is my village. Thank you!"
Jacqueline in Toronto
"YMC first caught my attention because it's Canadian and it's so nice to have a mom-focused site that feels relevant to me. Most websites for moms are full of generic content you could find anywhere but YMC's not like that and it keeps me coming back."
Robin from farewellstranger.com
"I found the YummyMummyClub a few years ago while I had 3 very young children at home—all in diapers—and I was seriously questioning my sanity. I was originally drawn to YMC because of Erica Ehm- there was one of my teenage idols - beautiful, poised, successful and a MOM! If she could navigate the insanity of motherhood without completely losing her cool, maybe I could too! ...The YMC community is unique. So many mommy-communities are completely focused on shades of pink and baby blue and if it doesn't have to do with diapers or potty-training there doesn't seem to be much to talk about. Those topics are great and certainly have their place... but sometimes a mommy just wants to escape a little bit from the world of spit-up and tantrums. That's where YMC comes in!
Tara from tarasviewoftheworld.com
"I love YMC because, although it's made for moms, it still speaks to "woman" inside me...I'm proud to be part of the YMC family."
Yukari in BC
"I’ve been a long time reader over at YMC because Erica curates quality content. Period. The newsletter headlines ALWAYS draw me in, and get at least one click through from me every time. "
Deanna T. from www.mapleleafmommy.com
"As an old married couple, my husband and I have a few routines that no one could break us of. He opens the front door and grabs the newspaper and I open my laptop and begin my morning read. The Yummy Mummy Club was one of the very first online magazines / virtual communities that I ever joined. You have been a consistent part of my daily routine for a few years now. Thank you Yummy Mummy Club for providing such a wide range of interesting topics, fabulous contests and cool products.
p.s. I'm totally loving your new look!"
Shannon, Yummy Mom of 4 - Kitchener, Ontario
Shasherslife.com
"I have met some wonderful women through your Club"
Marcy B. in Ontario
"As a busy SAHM mama of 4 wee ones 6 & under my day is filled with spilt milk, sticky fingers and cartoons, as it has been for over 6 years now. During these amazing years of juggling family, dinner, and chores mama has been so grateful to find YMC, as my central hub to all things mommy. When I need a laugh it has some giggles for me, when I need a cry it has a bit of those too, tips, advice, a chance to win a contest. YMC has been a very important part of my routine as a SAHM, you can think of it like my soap opera (since All my Children has been cancelled) "
Tammy M from inrdream.com
Want to have your say? You can always "spill it" here—tell us if there's something missing from the site, if you like what you're doing (or not) or anything else that strikes your fancy on this page. I'm listening.
I've decided to make my healthy a priority and start incorporating some small changes. I'm already seeing a difference.
I heard it was coming—that at a certain age you magically develop belly fat and lose mobility. I'm at that stage where I stopped buying new clothes, started spending as little time in front of the mirror and am finding it difficult to bend over without pain. My circumference is expanding. My back is locking. I need to take care of myself.
I haven't weighed myself in a long time. There is no need. My super tight jeans told me I was putting on a lot of weight around my middle, which by the way, is the most unhealthy place to store fat.
First step was to sign up for Yoga/Pilates classes. Three months ago I found a little studio that has easy parking and classes that fit my needs. I schedule my class into my calendar and haven't missed one in three months, aside from my week at the Olympics. The deep relief I experience during and after every session is a gift I give myself. I'm starting to rediscover my belly muscles and my arms are showing some slight definition.
Next I booked an appointment with Marina at Zen Beginnings. Marina is a nutritionist and her passion for healthy living rubbed off on me as we spent a couple of hours going over my less-than-spectacular eating habits. First thing to go: my morning bagel and cream cheese. Sigh. For the last three weeks I've been making morning smoothies with fruit, kale, protein powder, coconut milk and flaxseed in my new Little Bullet one cup blender. You know, it's not half bad. To shake things up, I'll make some yummy eggs.
Then I discovered a kooky little workout class at Zen Beginnings—which can only be described as "faux-ga," basically using some moves from yoga but it's waaay more aerobic. We do boot camp moves and yoga stretching to loud tunes from the 80s and 90s. I only push myself as far as I can safely go. I walk out of there drenched.
I read this post about eating when you're hungry which is harder than it sounds, so I'm trying really hard to be aware of my hunger cues.
And then there's bread. I'm trying hard to avoid it, saying no to sandwiches and bagels whenever possible. I'm not 100% there but I'm eating significantly less bread than I did three weeks ago.
When I was on a romantic vacation in Portland with my husband last week, we made a point of doing a ton of walking together - with an emphasis on uphill climbs to get our hearts pumping. Talk about sexy :)
And finally, I'm starting to run again (slowly). I've committed to running the Run for the Cure 5k which happens on my birthday September 30th. So, my birthday party is to invite YOU to join my "team" and run or walk the race with me! Wanna join the party?!! Let me know in the comments below and I'll give you all the details.
Soon I will try my jeans on again. I imagine they will be a little less tight.
I'm not on a diet. I love to eat. And my body simply feels better when I work out. I'm making small changes and paying attention to my health. I feel better about myself. And that's a big difference.
What about you? What do you do that I can add to my list of small changes?
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