Move it and Lose it – Why Moms Matter

A woman who takes good care of herself is a more powerful mother – at least that is the way I see it.  If we are willing to settle for ‘nothing but the best FROM ourselves’, that will carry over into our parenting. A Mom Matters when she cares enough to be a good example – in word and action to her children.

Take Leah Segedie for example (many of you may know her as Bookieboo!)  What you may not know is Leah’s story.

bookieboo2Three years ago, when Leah gave birth to her first child, a son, she weighed 253 pounds.  While she was pregnant, her father was diagnosed with cancer and given only 6 months to live.  Five days a week, Leah helped her mother to care for her dying father. Watching him suffer was tremendously painful and Leah found solace in food. 

Like so many of us, she believed the weight would come off after she had the baby.  But, also like many of us, that wasn’t the case.

When her newborn son was only 3 months old, Leah’s father lost his battle with cancer.  Though she had prayed for an end to his suffering, she was devastated.

But with the devastation came a ‘moment of clarity’, as she calls it.  She didn’t want to be the ‘fat mom’.  She wanted to ‘model healthy behavior’ for her family.  In that moment, Leah decided to make a change.  So, she stood up and started walking.  At first it was once a day and then twice.  She joined Curves and began to practice Taebo. Five pounds at a time, Leah began to see a difference.

Working at a healthy lifestyle the traditional way, with  diet and exercise, Leah lost over 100 pounds.

It is this weight loss journey, and Leah’s desire to motivate those around her that inspired her friend Kelly Loubet to nominate her for Why Moms Matter.

After losing the weight, Leah decided to create a ‘go-to place where moms could share their struggles staying or getting into shape”, and Bookieboo.com (named after her son) was born.  The site has over 40 contributors, many are certified personal trainers, but all are moms.

leah-after1Knowing how tough it can be to balance being a mom with taking care of yourself, Leah is reaching out – hoping to give a little extra resolve to one mom at a time. Having recently had a second son, Leah is on the ball with getting back into shape one more time – and she has the support of whole bunch of moms on Bookieboo – doing the exact same thing.

Join us on Why Moms Matter on Blog Talk Radio, Friday at 12:30PST/2:30CST to learn how Leah stays motivated to keep up with her healthy lifestyle and how she balances work with family.  You’ll also learn about her new Blog Talk Radio Show – MomActive – launching on June 19th.

Do you know a Mom Who Matters?  An ordinary mom doing extraordinary things?  Nominate her today.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

  • http://www.loulousviews.blogspot.com Loukia

    That’s an amazing story and very inspirational! She looks fantastic! Way to go!

  • http://www.crazyadventuresinparenting.com Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting

    What an amazing story. Wonderful girl (and beautiful!)

  • http://www.banteringblonde.com fiona

    Leah rocks and is definitely one of the most motivated and inspirational people I know!

  • http://sandierpastures.com Grace @ Sandier Pastures

    She looks great! I would have loved to read more about her but her site is blocked (inaccessible) here in Dubai! :-(

  • Lindsey

    That’s an awesome article. It was very inspiring and motivational. Way to go Leah, you are a very strong person and great role model!

  • Lori

    This is a great motivation. I need to lose about 50-60 lbs but have been struggling with work, kids and other excuses. I will have to look at her blog and see what she ate and how she did it. I could use a little success in this area to feel better about myself.

  • Bookie’s YaYa

    Leah continues to inspire me and I’m her Mom! Her influence has changed my lifestyle 100%. I am so proud of how she took something that overwhelms almost everyone and turned it into something that can help almost everyone who accesses her site. Her willingness to help people is so refreshing. She is a genuinely nice person whose only motivation is to help other Moms. Remember, us Grand-Moms have a place at Bookieboo.com! The site is there to support Moms, without regard to age.

  • Keith

    I believe all of us are a hunk or a babe hiding under the fat waiting to burst out. Because all of this is learned behaviors, we also find that it is harder to unlearn the same behaviors. Anxiety, Depression, eating improperly. By the time we figure out the problem, we’ve also created for ourselves an uphill battle to change. Some, like Leah, succeed in the climb out and oh my gosh! Quick! Call the Fire Department! Some one is smokin!