Here's to all the Strong Moms this Mother's Day | Unbrokenshop.com

I’m honored to be chosen as UnbrokenShop.com’s role model Mother athlete for Mother’s Day. When a company like theirs sees me as an athlete and a role model it makes me happy that the hard work and the heart I put into my workouts and raising our kids has been recognized. But seriously, I was shocked that I was even on their list. I mean, I am a Mom who is just trying to be fit so I can be here a long time for my family. 

I have always said that I would never run with a weighted vest. However, last year I needed something that would challenge me, was pretty portable and easy to use so I got a vest from Unbrokenshop.com. They are local, and I remember when Fernando dropped it off for me. Talk about great customer service! Really? Who does that?

I remember thinking, "Oh boy, what have I done?" Am I really going to run in this thing? I did what any Mom would do - I figured it out. I started with my soft dive weights that were collecting dust because you know... kids. LOL 

I came up with a workout that scared me and got a friend who is a complete badass to do it with me for support. All Moms know about the buddy system. 😊 Actually, I was thinking if I fell down he would be there to help. We ran 200 meters at a time, and I'm not gonna lie it sucked and was one of the hardest things I have ever done. We finished the workout, and I did what any Mom over 40 would do, I went home and took a nap.

My family thought I was crazy but I kept at it because our gym was closed, and I needed to do something with some weight to maintain all my hard work. My husband who is always trying to help got me two 8 lbs. plates to put in my vest. 😮 What a guy, I just went from 6 lbs. to 16 lbs. in my vest. I guess he thinks I am strong. It's kind of like when I get my 9-year old daughter's underwear in my folded laundry pile. I am like, "Do you really think my butt will fit in those?" Love you, honey.

After that initial workout I was pretty discouraged so I looked for other ways to use my new vest that I thought would not be as much torture. That brought me to the hero WOD, Chad which is 1,000 step ups onto a 20-inch box. Never have I been so happy NOT to have a 20-inch box or any box for that matter. 

However, I was determined to work my body in new ways, use my vest and honor a hero the best I could. I couldn't just let my vest sit in the corner of my closest. That wasn't going to do. That led me to my front steps. We have 2 flights of stairs to get to our front door. What better way to get some functional fitness in? I had the great idea to put my vest on and just go up and down the stairs for 1,000 steps. Easy, right?

I proceeded to get out my little whiteboard and count how many steps we have. The kids were looking at me with curiosity so I told them what I was doing and asked if they wanted to join me. Remember the buddy system works, I swear by it. Haha.

Our son actually said YES. That's a Mom Win right there. He didn't have a vest so he grabbed a pair of my dumbbells. Doesn't it make you happy when your kids think on their own and use their creativity? I told him that was a great idea and off we went. We marked our steps on the whiteboard every time we came upstairs. We got to the targeted 1,000 steps at 13 minutes (my Mom's favorite number). At that point I thought that the workout wasn't hard enough because we weren't stepping up onto a 20-inch box. Guess what we did? 

Naturally, we kept going. My son ended up stopping at about 2,000 steps. I was so proud of him and happy he was by my side as I saw the neighbors looking at us like we had lost our minds. I got to over 3,000 steps and thought that was a good burn but wasn't so bad. That was until the next day. I never realized how much taking the stairs works your calves. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?

Many times Moms put their kids and their families first and don't really think about themselves. I know my Mom went through a rough time when she had me but still took care of my Dad and my 3 older brothers. I'm sure it wasn't easy but she never complained. That is just what Mom's do. If you want to find true strength just look at a Mom. 

I usually do a workout in May to honor my Mom, who I lost to breast cancer when she was 62. Her birthday was May 13th and many times it fell on Mother's Day weekend. This is the workout I have created for this year. Of course, it includes a vest but you can do it without. The 5 push-ups represent the month of May and the 13 squats the day she was born.

Enjoy! Please comment if you do the workout. Tag a friend and share on social media. Please tag me too @kmarraffino on InstaGram and Facebook. 

I want to say thank you to Unbrokenshop.com for this amazing opportunity. I've never been more excited about my health and what it means not only for me, but for my family as well. I use your products every day and they help me in more than you know. 

My Mom passed away from breast cancer when she was in her early 60s - that doesn't mean though that until then I wasn't interested in taking care of myself or eating healthy; quite the contrary actually! But losing a loved one at such a young age really made me think about how precious life is, which has inspired me to make lifestyle changes so that we can all live healthier lives together with our families by our side for as long as possible.

Exercise and eating right have been a big part of my journey the past decade. I continue to challenge myself every day by learning new skills in the gym and the kitchen. I have been tested and fallen down both mentally and physically, I have had days where I didn't feel like working out and other days where I wouldn't have made it without my workout. 

What happened after my Mom passed has been nothing but an inspiration in every way possible as it drove home how short our time on Earth can be sometimes—but also showed me just what kind of legacy someone like us leaves behind if they take care not only their health but those around them. 

This is for all the Moms out there. In case no one has told you lately you are doing a great job! It’s not easy being a Mom but it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Hug your babies. -- Kerry Marraffino