The Mommy Arms

We went grocery shopping as a family last weekend. We had left it too long and so had a lot to buy. The Frenchman gallantly offered to carry our two giant Bags-for-life that were filled to the brim leaving me to push Eloise. I let him at first, because, hey those bags were heavy, but then as we started walking towards home I told him to let me carry them. I don't think you understand Frenchman, I am really strong now, I said. He scoffed. I often try and pretend that I am stronger than him, yet he always beats me at arm wrestling. But this time I meant it. I am really strong now.

A few years back a friend at work had a baby and when she came back into the office with her little girl I jumped at the chance to hold her little girl. She was only a few months old, but after holding her for 20 minutes I could feel my arm wobble and had to giver her back to her mother. How do you do it? I marvelled at her strength. You just adapt she said.

Now I know what she was on about. I could hold Eloise while running a marathon. Ok. No I couldn't because I can't run nor do I have a desire to run a marathon, but I could hold Eloise at the sideline while cheering on someone else running a marathon and my arms wouldn't wobble a bit. See? STRONG.

What? All Muscle builders wear leopard print scarves, right?

The mommy arm. Some days I'll pick her up and think, whew, you've gotten heavy. And then by the end of the day, my arm muscles will have adapted to her weight gain and I'm back to super mom status again. Forget Spinach. Forget Pilates. Forget Dumbbells. Have a baby. Best way to tone your arms. I'm currently carrying around a little under 18lb from 7 in the morning to 7 at night. I can feel her making me a little bit stronger every day.

...and scarier too apparently.

The Frenchman still carried the groceries all the way home. I guess he needed to work on his Daddy Arm to ensure he's fighting fit before our next arm wrestling match.