What We'll Teach Our Daughters About Exercise
Carly is unlearning how to exercise for women, for herself and her daughters.
We’re the Balanced Beyars, three sisters in different seasons of womanhood and motherhood, sharing what’s working for us right now.
Each week, you’ll hear from just one of us, offering a real-life tip pulled straight from our current phase, whether that’s postpartum survival, pregnancy must-haves, cycle support, or mom life hacks. One sister, one tip, every week—simple and to the point.
Carly - 3 Months Postpartum
“I’ve been thinking about my mindset around movement and exercise lately, and our recent Just a Phase podcast episode really brought it home.
I spent years training like a D1 athlete… because it’s literally all my sisters and I knew?! Obsessed with pushing harder, addicted to performance…and always chasing the next benchmark. I thought that’s what fitness was…intense, all-in, never enough. EW.
No one ever taught me how to SLOW DOWN and MOVE out of love for my body.
I vow to change this for my daughters!!! I’m rewriting the script I was handed so my girls grow up seeing movement as a tool for love and connection, not punishment. I want them to have a healthy relationship with exercise because they deserve that.
Here are just a few things I plan to teach my daughters about exercise:
There’s a lot of noise about what women’s workouts should look like on social media. It’s time we make it personal again with shifting the focus to what makes YOU feel connected, happy, and healthy!
You can absolutely have aesthetic goals, but they should come from loving your body, not hating it. Let’s find a balanced way to help you get there without feeling pressure.
You don’t need to be drenched in sweat for the workout to “count.”
You don’t need to burn X amount of calories for the workout to “count”, either.
That whole “burn it off” mindset is unhealthy. You don’t have to earn your dinner or dessert.
Short workouts count.
Exercise isn’t just about body composition goals, it’s actually incredible for mental release…and sometimes that’s all you may need that day!
Slow, mindful movement isn’t less effective; it’s smarter, more sustainable, and honestly more enjoyable sometimes (especially, depending on which phase of the cycle you’re in.)
Your pelvic floor and breath matters when you exercise. It’s important to be aware of how to relax and activate your pelvic floor.
Nonstop intensity leaves you depleted and disconnected. Just like anything else, you need to find balance with it.
Slowing down isn’t lazy, it’s powerful, intuitive, and gives you results that last.
Rest days should be built into your plans because that’s where the positive change happens as your body rebuilds. Rest days are not optional.
Strength starts from within. We need to strengthen our core and foundations before adding in the harder movements to reduce risk of injury and burnout.
If your workouts are wrecking your mood or nervous system, you need to adjust your routine. Doing less can actually be doing more.
You deserve to feel good in your body, and have fun moving it! I want you to love moving your body!!
I’m still growing, learning (or shall we say unlearning), and figuring this all out in real time as I go, but if you're ready to unlearn the old way too, don’t miss our latest podcast with Lia Bartha. It’s truly a breath of fresh air and exactly the kickstart we needed to start shedding some of these toxic mindsets!”
That’s all for now, but we’ll be back before you know it with more real talk, gentle reminders, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from being in it.
Whether you’re in your flow, counting down to baby, or in the thick of toddler life, we’re so grateful you’re part of this space. You’re not alone, and you’re always welcome here.
xoxo,
Alaina, Carly & Julie
BALANCED BEYARS HEALTH