As a mom and health addict, I am adamant about teaching my children a healthy lifestyle. Yes, it’s hard. I get it. They love the junk and fast food like any other kids, but ultimately, I am in control of that. How I shop, how I exercise, how I cook… my choices will be their choices. I can only hope that what I teach them will one-day matter enough to them to continue the cycle.

My athlete of the week is my daughter. My 9-year-old, Elliot, whom is the most determined little girl that I know. She amazes me daily with her enthusiasm for life.   I see a lot of myself in her, from dance to eating habits, to daily struggles… Genetics is a huge part of life. That is a fact.

What I cannot control is how she is fed when I am not around. Grandparents, no offense, are the worst. She, as I, will have to find a balance with her diet. I can foresee the tears, throwing of clothes, tantrums and all the other things that comes with growing up.

As a mom, it’s all I can do to guide, love and direct her on the right path.   She is my heart.

She gives 100% of herself to everything she does. And if you have ever seen her dance, her smile says it all. In her words, “Don’t cry about it, work about it.”

This is her story… I did not change, or alter in any way. These are her words.

STRONG MIND STRONG BODY

Mitzi

Elli’s Story at 9yo

My mom says, “strong mind, strong body” every time I get out of the truck. I like sports, like dance and gymnastics.

I like dance because my teacher pushes me to my best ability. You might not like dance, but it is my passion and it calms me down. I like gymnastics because I get to flip. Now you know what I like to do.

When I think of Strong, I think of my mom working her butt off. I want to look like her one of these days. I like being healthy but sometimes I just can’t. I am not allowed to say, “I can’t”. Shhhhhhhh!!!! When I say it mom says, you have to try.

I am 9 years old and I feel like I can lose weight and eat healthier. Mom shops healthy, eats healthy, and lives healthy. I am going to try to work hard to shop, eat and live healthy in my life.

I have a saying in my room that says, “don’t cry about it, work about it.” To me that means, if you’re crying about it, you’re only making it worse and not trying your best. If you work about it, you are trying to be better. Crying is feeling sorry for yourself, just get up and work.

STRONG MIND – STRONG BODY

Elli Fairbanks