Why I’m Chasing Strength—Not a Smaller Size

Somewhere along the way, I stopped chasing skinny.
After three babies, countless body changes, and more “bounce back” pressure than I care to admit, I decided enough was enough. I didn’t want to be smaller—I wanted to be stronger.

A Conversation That Hit Home

This post was sparked by a recent conversation with a fellow mom—and fellow CrossFitter—at my gym. We were talking about the frustration that creeps in when you’re showing up, lifting heavy, eating well… yet the number on the scale doesn’t budge—or even goes up.

We realized we weren’t alone in that internal dialogue. That quiet discouragement that whispers, "Why isn’t this working?"—even when we know we feel better, move better, and are stronger than ever.

But the more we talked, the more we both agreed: It’s taken time to cut through that noise. To see the big picture. To recognize that this—the strength, the energy, the ability to keep going—is the win. Especially when we look around the gym and see men and women in their 50s and beyond, showing up and crushing workouts with consistency and grace.

That’s what we’re building toward. Not a smaller body. A stronger future.

Postpartum Perspective: My Body Did Something Amazing

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum left me in awe of what my body could do—but also, if I’m honest, a little lost in a body I didn’t fully recognize. For a while, I was fixated on chasing the number on the scale—getting back down to pre-baby weight.

But I didn’t feel strong. I didn’t feel energized.
I felt stuck.

Then I Found CrossFit

I never imagined I’d be the kind of woman who loved lifting heavy weights or tracking workouts on a whiteboard—but here we are. CrossFit changed everything for me. It taught me that:

• Strength is built, not born.

• Progress looks like lifting a little heavier each time, not losing one more pound.

• You can be a beginner at any age and still thrive.

CrossFit isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s scalable, modifiable, and meets you where you’re at. It always gives me the push I need—without pressure to be anyone but my best self. And the community—hands down—compares to nothing I’ve been a part of before.

Why Muscle Matters in Your 40s

As I’ve stepped into this new season of motherhood and womanhood, I’ve realized how vital it is to build and maintain muscle—not just for how I look, but for how I live.

• Muscle helps protect your joints.

• It increases metabolism and supports hormone balance.

• It keeps you strong, stable, and mobile as you age.

• And it gives you the energy to keep up with your kids—physically and emotionally.

I want to be the mom who plays, runs, lifts, and leads by example. I want my kids to grow up seeing strength as beautiful, not something only men or athletes pursue.

Letting Go of the Scale Mentality

It took time, but I finally ditched the scale as my primary marker of success. Some weeks I weigh more—but I feel unstoppable. I’m fueling my body with whole foods, prioritizing protein, and training to live well, not just to fit into a smaller pair of jeans.

The payoff?

I recover faster. I have more energy. I feel more grounded in my body.

And best of all—I get to model a healthy relationship with fitness and food for my children.

Strong is the Goal. Always.

If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and wondering if it’s too late to start strength training, I’m here to tell you: It’s not. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in my early 40s deadlifting way more than my own bodyweight.

There is so much power in reclaiming your health on your own terms. And it doesn’t have to look extreme.

Start small.
Start where you are.
But start building strength—not shrinking yourself.