Last Wednesday night, my 3 year old cried for me not to leave him with his father. “I don’t want you to go to the gym!” he wailed. My heartstrings were pulled so hard I might as well have left my entire heart in his tiny hands. There’s no question that feeling guilty comes naturally with being a mother.

My husband peeled our human fruit roll-up out of my already sweating arms and assured me he would be fine. I gave him the are-you-sure look, and bless his heart, he mouthed back a silent, “Go babe.” I kissed Thomas’ tear-stained cheek and left for another weight training session with my trainer, Homie G.

If there’s one thing I could tell you to take away from this column, it’s to not cave to negative feelings. Laziness, fatigue, being too busy, and putting off exercise due to family demands can all weigh heavily on a Mom’s ability to get her butt out the door to the gym or outside for a run or walk.

Now of course you don’t have to go gangbusters like I did - I’m at the gym 3 times a week, run with my running group twice a week and once on my own. Even if you commit to a half hour walk, run or cycle every other day - you need to commit to that for yourself. Start small. A yoga DVD in the morning. Lift a couple cans of soup in various ways for a count of 15. Walk briskly for 30 minutes after dinner. Yes, even if it’s raining. You won’t melt.

What I’m finding is that I am handling life’s demands better than I used to. Confession: I used to be Yelly Mom. The fireball of anger would sit, spinning in my chest and while I held it together most of the time, my oldest protesting a decision or the youngest throwing a tantrum would be enough to make me angry enough to yell. I hate yelling. I don’t want my kids to have a Yelly Mom.

Now as I settle into a run, there’s a calm that washes over me and makes me feel as though I can handle anything. I’m juggling more in less time (due to training so much) and my stress levels, though still moderate, are more manageable. I look at problems objectively and solve them one at a time, rather than freaking out and giving up as I used to do.

Another confession: This is the longest I’ve ever stuck with working out.

Dear New Lifestyle: I can’t quit you. I can’t quit moving, weight training, running…it’s mandatory. I have to move. I have never felt better. I have never felt so capable and confident in my entire life.

Your turn: Write a plan for your weekly fitness. Commit to yourself. Share it here or on your blog. Let me know how it goes - I want you to feel as good as I do!