Currently, Courtney & Company.

          Currently I am sitting here writing to you drinking coffee listening to all the G-Eazy songs on Spotify aka The coldest white rapper in the game since the one with the bleached hair. As of lately the Killam house has been non stop, and I mean any mom with toddlers or children for that matter, can relate I am sure. When I first started Confidently, Courtney I was mainly focusing on myself (selfish I know) and my own fitness goals. I would workout when my children were distracted doing their own things, visiting my mother or mother in-law, or when my oldest was at school and my youngest would be reading in her "secret hide out" aka the towel closet. I didn't really push them nor want them to think they "HAD" to workout and to be honest I associated my workouts with the mentality that I wanted a visual change in my body's appearance, not necessarily just for the fact of being healthy.

        Since last October I have enrolled both my littles in gymnastics, they both go once a week and absolutely love it. When we finished our second session, we got a paper taking about physical literacy and how it is just as important as any other literacy for children. For me, this not even half a page of newsletter hit home. Working out shouldn't only be something I do to prepare for trips, or the summer, or because I had felt uncomfortable in how I looked compared to others. But for the fact that it simply keeps me healthy and active. That it is good for my whole health all around. That working out and being fit should be for our whole family, not just Courtney.

What is Physical literacy?

 

As defined by Physical and Health Education Canada:

Individuals who are physically literate move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person (PHE Canada, 2010). 

Physically literate individuals consistently develop the motivation and ability to understand, communicate, apply, and analyze different forms of movement. They are able to demonstrate a variety of movements confidently, competently, creatively and strategically across a wide range of health-related physical activities. These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others, and their environment.

 

PHE Canada also endorses the International Physical Literacy Association's (IPLA) definition: Physical literacy can be described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities(Whitehead, 2016).

      After reading that newsletter, I felt as if I seen physical literacy signs everywhere. From the public health office, the bulletin at our local coffee shop, to the schools office. Physical literacy was everywhere. I began to research it, because well that's just what I do. I had come across that our province has started a  Be Fit For Life - Moving Alberta initiative. Their mission - To work collectively to inspire, educate and support Albertans to lead healthy, physically active lifestyles. After spending hours on their website reading any and everything possible,I was completely inspired to say the least. Knowing that I have the power and recourses to educate my children on leading healthy active lifestyles.

 

       To say this epiphany or what ever you would like to call it has been life changing would be an understatement. Every day we aim to do something active whether it be going to the indoor track for a run, going for a walk outside (weather permitting), going sledding at our neighbourhood hill, attending gymnastics or swimming lessons, or simply venturing to our local indoor playground. Being active with my children everyday verses randomly when our "schedules" allowed it has brought us closer as corny as it may sound. It offers us quality time to talk about our day, to talk about what we want to do, or learn new ways our bodies move. With the winter months coming to an end sooner than later, I cant help but to think of all that the Spring and Summer months have in store for us, from soccer games, to hikes, to walks, to going to outdoor playgrounds, jumping on the trampoline, riding our bikes, walking the dog, going to the outdoor waterpark, and everything in between. I'm so excited to share our journey of both physical and non-physical literacy with all of you! Here's to the new beginnings of Confidently, Courtney xo