Comments on: Strong Enough To Be Your Mom – Part 2

By: Julie Bo Boolie

Julie Bo Boolie — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:00:48 +0000

I read this blog when you originally posted it and bawled my eyes out. You are SUCH an inspiration. I’m ashamed to say that despite the truth in your words it took a few months for it to really sink in and for me to start making changes in my life.

I am morbidly obese (highest 330lbs) and suffering medical complications due to my weight — complications that would mean a much shorter lifespan than I should have and complications that meant that I wasn’t being the kind of mother I knew I should be for my 10 and 6 year old.

But always at the back of my mind, this blog entry. This knowledge that I had to be stronger, fitter, healthier and that I owed this to my daughters.

I finally found the strength to start my journey in October 2010. I’ve lost 45lbs since then (99 days ago) and I’m still motivated and energized and PROUD to finally be making myself strong enough to be their Mom. I still have over a hundred pounds to lose, but I WILL do it and I will remember your words every time I feel like giving up.

Thank you Rachel.

By: These Mommas are My Heroes | Creekside Learning

These Mommas are My Heroes | Creekside Learning — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:05:17 +0000

[...] You can read more about Rachel Coleman’s family here. [...]

By: Kathi

Kathi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:28:12 +0000

I discovered your blog via Ellen Stumbo today and understand your motivation. My son is 19 as of yesterday and totally dependent on us for all his ADL’s. I, too, worked out with a personal trainer and now on my own 3-4 times a week. When I started, I told the trainer, “I need to be able to keep lifting Tim. If any part of my body happens to look better in the process, that’s a bonus.” Thanks so much for encouraging others and sharing a bit of our world.

By: Rachel Coleman » Blog Archive » Strong Enough for Nina

Rachel Coleman » Blog Archive » Strong Enough for Nina — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:57:13 +0000

[...] me from the Ukraine where she was in the process of adopting a little girl. Her email shared how my “Strong Enough” post had arrived in her inbox with perfect timing, timing that changed her family and changed their [...]

By: She's Not Heavy... | ohamanda.com

She's Not Heavy... | ohamanda.com — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:20:14 +0000

[...] the entire way. Lucy experienced it as if she had no disabilities. A year later Rachel wrote Strong Enough To Be Your Mom Part 2. She tells how she and her husband hired a personal trainer to make them stronger—so they can [...]

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:44:08 +0000

Hi Rachel, I just found your website through your blog at Athleta. This was such an inspiring post, you are a wonderful mother and an amazing person. I hope all four of you have a great half marathon on Saturday, I wish I could be there to cheer you on.

By: Rocio

Rocio — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:28:19 +0000

Rachel, you are amaizing. I wonder if I´ll be able to do the same for my daughter with spina bifida. She is only 17 months (almost 18), but I keep wondering what her life will be like in the future.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:41:53 +0000

We’ve been watching BST 1&2 for quite some time now…we received them as presents from a friend, for our daughter Natalie’s first birthday. She loves them, and now cradles when she wants to watch! She’s caught on to quite a few of the signs. Because of this, for Christmas we bought her BST 3&4.

The first thing that jumped out at me when we popped in BST 3: your weight loss. The first thing I said to my wife was “OMG, look at Rachel, she looks terrific!” Not that you looked bad at all beforehand, but as someone who also works out, it was immediately obvious to me that you’d been doing some serious work! Upon reading this blog (I actually did a search – Rachel Coleman weight loss – to see how you pulled this off), I’m glad to see that, instead of obsessing over weight, you were more concerned with health and strength. THAT’S the way to go!

One mild criticism, regarding BST 3&4…don’t get me wrong, we enjoy them, as does Natalie, but sometimes it feels like the signs are taking a backseat to the music and your vocal chops. Not in a overly blatant way, but I never got that feeling from watching BST 1&2. I’ll say this much…and I’m sure other watchers can attest…those songs sure have a way of staying in your head…and making you smile.

By: rachel

rachel — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:53:56 +0000

hi, as mom to 6 kids, 5 with special needs and 3 of which are cerebral palsy, i understand and felt your post deeply. a co-worker told me the other day that i would have to stop lifting my 5 y.o. who can not hold her head up because she is getting so big and will hurt my back…. and i just looked at her like she was crazy. i will do anything for this child. i am taking your training as a challenge. i have been focusing on my children for a long time, but also need to take care of myself so i can continue to take care of them. thank you for the reminder and the inspiration. we LOVE your videos! rachel

By: sara

sara — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:38:40 +0000

rachel i love this post,
i have tears still in my eyes. i have been following your blog for a while now, i have two children lilly who will be 3 in jan., and max who was 1 in oct., max was born with Down syndrome. so on some level i feel the same way of being in shape and healthy, i told my husband “we need to live forever” i need to be around as long as possible. i need to be here for max, don’t get me wrong lilly to just in a different way. so i am trying really hard to get healthy.
i wanted you to know i heard about signing time from other moms in my Down syndrome family network. lilly loves it and you should see her with max… signing to him its so sweet. max already is signing more and all done:) i truly feel your dvds made a huge difference:) so thanks for that:)
oh and we are super excited to meet you… i am a member for our first annual Down syndrome awareness walk in neenah wisconsin and you… “Rachel from Signing Time” are going to be the big entertainment!!!
so again looking forward to meeting you and beautiful post:)
-sara pingel