Melissa is one inspiring mom, woman, and wife! 

Melissa is a mom to 3 busy children, married to a farmer, lives in a rural community, commutes and works full time, and has still managed to make time for herself over the last year. Now that is one inspiring woman! We chatted with Melissa to see how she stays motivated, makes time for it all, and what advice she has for other women living in a rural setting or struggling to make healthy changes. 

What is your secret? How do you do it all?! 

To be honest… planning. Lots and lots of planning. 

In the past, I would say our family had unhealthy habits simply due to convenience - but when it comes down to it, it was really just a lack of planning and organization. Now, planning is a part of my weekly routine, and it is what helps all of us to feel better and live healthier. 

Living in a rural community 30 minutes outside of Estevan, while working in Estevan, and having kids attend activities in Estevan while still farming means a LOT of time on the road for Missy and her family. 

In the past, we would grab fast food quite often, because it was convenient and easy. I’d pick the kids up from school, we would grab fast food, and then head to the rink. Now, I have a plan instead. I know that if we need to be in town or on the road, that I need to prepare something ahead of time - whether it's crockpot meals, meals that can easily be reheated, or even sandwiches or wraps some days, I now prioritize making something ahead of time. 

That sounds like it’s more work for you… has it made a difference? 

If it’s planned, it’s a success. As long as I have groceries and I know what is coming up, it actually makes it so much easier. Now, I can have things ready and I don’t feel like I am rushing, and I can even look at the flyers and plan meals around what I know will be on sale. It’s a lot less costly not going out to eat all of the time, and everyone feels better and has more energy too. 

Of course, we do occasionally get fast food as a treat or once in a while, but I am so much more aware and now it is a conscious choice for me, or a treat. Sometimes I will have it with the kids, and sometimes I wont. But now it is a choice and not a default. 

You make it sound easy! Has it always been this way? 

Oh gosh, no! 

In the past, it was so easy for me to give in to my excuses. Running with kids and living out of town I used to make a lot of excuses for myself. Things like 

• “It’s been a long day and I’m tired”

• “I have a headache”

• “I got home late, so… I don’t have time to exercise”

• “I got home late, so… I need time to relax and watch tv”

• “I got home late, so… I don’t want to get up early and do a workout”

I honestly used to dread it - fitness, exercise, planning, all of it. But now I actually enjoy it and look forward to it”. Now I think - when can I get to the gym? When do I have time to prep? How can I make sure I get everything done for myself and not just how can I get the kids where they need to be? I dread the planning part a lot less - now it’s become a normal part of my week. The switch was hard - I didn’t WANT to cook a pot of chili, but once I made the change of “wanting to” it got easier. It’s made life easier, grocery shopping easier, and I’m less impulsive. I know what we need for the week - it’s organized. 

That’s a big change! What happened? 

Once I actually just started, I started to feel better all around. I had more energy and I didn’t just want to laze around - now I can get through the afternoon and supper without crashing and I want to do other things and not just sit around and watch tv in the evenings. 

I am so much more patient with my kids and others, and it’s really improved my mood and makes me a better person. It’s just me time that I realized that I needed to be able to function better. It’s so important for my mindset and mood. 

And I find exercising makes me want to eat better, and eating better and exercising allows me to keep up to my kids and just do so much more. Now I look for more ways to be active with my family at home - getting outside more, doing more active things, and I am more confident that I can keep up to them and be more involved with them - I’m not winded walking up the stairs anymore and I just feel so much better. 

**You guys - Missy said that her PVR is now full because she is out doing things with her kids and her family instead of watching tv - now THAT is a win! The PVR will always be there - memories and moments with others won't be. 

What advice can you give to other women in rural communities and settings? 

You just have to start. Once you start you will see the changes. 

Living in a rural community, you don’t want to make a trip into town if it’s not necessary.  I found that the online classes made it so easy to ease into exercise. They are efficient and so convenient to do on my own time - but to also still get that support. Find something that works for you - for me, it was the Encompass nutrition program and then the fitness classes. 

Fun fact: Missy started working out at home with us during the pandemic! Now, she attends classes over her lunch break.

Also, to stop focusing on the scale. By taking the focus off the scale you can notice all of the other great changes. Like a more positive mindset, feeling more confident, positive, and happier overall, and just not being so tired or giving in to excuses. 

I think we can all agree that Missy is an inspiration! With some changes to her schedule and routine, incorporating some planning, and making sure she is taking time for herself and not just her family, she is healthier, happier, and is able to do more and enjoy life more. Sure, planning might take some work, but we’d argue that more confidence, more self-control, more energy, and more mindfulness are all worth it. 

Kudos to you, Missy! You’re an amazing inspiration to your family, and to all women struggling to balance health, family, commuting, and life in general.