Being a mother is arguably the most difficult role in the world. Between caring for little ones, running a household, and often holding down a demanding career, mums rarely have a spare moment to call their own. When the temporary closure of schools and childcare centres due to COVID-19 restrictions pushed so many families into a stay-home routine, that balancing act became even harder. Parents everywhere found themselves juggling full workdays from the kitchen table with a toddler or two in the mix, and the precious “me time” that kept them going shrank to almost nothing.

Yet even in the middle of that chaos, some mums refused to let their health take a back seat. In this special Mother’s Day feature, we caught up with our Fit Mums from RAW Active Personal Training to find out how they are coping emotionally, staying active, and making the most of this stay-home period with their children. Their stories are honest, warm, and inspiring — living proof that with the right support, motherhood and fitness can absolutely go hand in hand.

Celeste Lim — Motherhood Journey

Teacher and Mother of 1

Pregnancy is a time of immense change, and for many women the biggest worry is whether their fitness will survive it. The good news is that staying active through pregnancy — with the right guidance — is not only safe, but genuinely beneficial for both mum and baby. Celeste’s story shows exactly what is possible when you have a trainer who understands your body’s needs at every stage.

“Finding out that I was going to be a mother was an incredibly thrilling yet scary discovery. I had life going well for me and now the news of a baby; life was going to be very different indeed.”

One thing was certain — Celeste did not want her fitness to go downhill completely. “RAW personal trainer Glenn was one of the first to find out that I was expecting and he catered a new workout plan that would be safe and beneficial for me. The exercises were gentle but still challenging. I was able to do some of the exercises from before but at a relaxed pace.”

Pregnancy brings about intense fatigue, and getting up as early as she used to quickly became a struggle. “I fit in my workouts when I had a long lunch period so that way I get more sleep in the evenings. And when the workout was over, we always had our victory fist bump for a job well done.”

Being in her late 30s, Celeste carried all sorts of worries — especially about the recovery stage of delivery. “It’s been a month since my baby boy has been born and maybe it’s genetics, or the softer approach of exercise that I took, a lot of baby weight has shed off. I was also able to go out for a walk with baby in tow at week 2. It may have only been for 10 minutes but I take that as a win.”

“I feel that all the steps I took with the guidance of RAW has made my journey to motherhood a happy and healthy one.”

Celeste’s experience is a beautiful reminder that pregnancy is not a reason to stop moving — it is a reason to move smarter. With a trainer who adapts every session to how you feel on the day, you can protect your strength, support your recovery, and come out the other side of motherhood feeling more capable than ever.

Susan Raj — Staying Active Together

Private Chef and Mother of 1

Fitness is often seen as a solo pursuit, but for Susan Raj it became a family affair. When her daughter came to stay, what started as a worry about a young woman’s health turned into a shared love of training — and a habit that followed her daughter all the way back to London.

“I moved from London to Singapore about 4 years ago, and I have been training at RAW with Glenn for a little more than 3 years. I have been able to slowly reduce my percentage of body fat, thus decreasing my body weight. My training sessions are customized and flexible at the same time.”

So when her daughter visited for three months last December and was remote working from home, Susan worried for her physical fitness and well-being — especially since she was working UK hours from Singapore. “I suggested she take sessions with Glenn, and he was able to work around her challenging working hours.”

“Training at RAW helped her working stamina improve and gave a boost to her energy levels, which helped her cope with the late working hours. She, who had never trained before, developed a love for gym training. The positive experience at RAW with Glenn was the reason she did not waste any time joining a gym when she got back to London.”

“As a mother, I am very pleased that my daughter has made physical training a part of her everyday routine, all thanks to Glenn.”

Susan’s story is a wonderful example of how the habits we build can ripple outward to the people we love. When a mother models consistency and self-care, her children notice — and often, they follow. Fitness is one of the greatest gifts you can pass on to your family.

Kathy Lim — Motherhood Journey

Civil Servant and Mother of 3

作为三个孩子的职场妈妈，我的时间和精力都在工作和陪着孩子的成长。不知不觉地三个孩子也大学毕业工作了，我以为可以像匹马自由自在地四处奔跑了。但是我发觉我的体力大不如前：走路容易累，做家务和爬楼梯容易喘，上斜坡更不用说，做事力不从心。
年老的恐惧和不安让我意识到我必须立刻行动改变自己的生活。

机缘巧合地认识 RAW 教练Wee Hoe , 这是我人生的转捩点。

健身房常是年轻人的健身中心，像我年过半百的我寥寥无几，Wee Hoe 耐心地鼓励我锻炼身体是不分年龄，什么时候都不算晚，只要动起来总比不动要好。Wee Hoe根据我的体能，设定一系列为我量身制定的力量，增肌和心肺训练。有趣和不呆板的训练让我克服了对运动的心里障碍，也提升了我对自己的信心。

经过一段坚持运动训练的日子·，我发觉爬楼梯已不再气喘喘了，我进步了。

感谢RAW 教练Wee Hoe 让我明白只要我愿意改变，任何时候开始健身都不晚。

How to Stay Active at Home with Kids

One of the biggest lessons from our Fit Mums is that you do not need a perfect hour in a gym to stay healthy — you need a plan that fits the life you actually live. Here are their top strategies for staying active when the kids are home:

Schedule your workout like an appointment. Celeste trained during her lunch break so she could sleep in longer in the mornings. Block out a time that works for you and protect it.
Keep sessions short and consistent. A 20-minute workout you actually do beats an hour-long session you keep postponing. Small, regular wins build momentum.
Get outside when you can. A short walk with the baby in tow counts — Celeste’s 10-minute walk in week two after delivery was a victory worth celebrating.
Involve the kids. Turn exercise into play, and you will model healthy habits your children carry for life — exactly what Susan’s daughter took back to London.
Let a professional adapt the plan to you. Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, or simply time-poor, a trainer who customises every session takes the guesswork out of staying safe and effective.
Be kind to yourself. Some days will be harder than others. Progress is not linear, and every small step counts.

Why Personal Training Works for Mums

Motherhood rarely fits into a rigid schedule, which is exactly why a one-size-fits-all fitness plan so often fails. At RAW Active Personal Training, every session is customised around your goals, your energy levels, and the realities of your day. Whether you are training through pregnancy like Celeste, rebuilding strength after childbirth, or simply looking for a flexible routine that fits around family life like Susan, our coaches meet you where you are — and adapt as your life changes.

From safe pregnancy-friendly programming to sessions that slot into a busy working day, the goal is the same: help you feel strong, energised, and in control, no matter how full your plate is.

A Happy Mother’s Day to All Our Fit Mums

To every mother reading this — whether you are navigating pregnancy, recovering from delivery, or simply trying to squeeze a workout into a day that never seems long enough — we see you, and we are proud of you. You are doing an incredible job, and every small step you take for your own health is a gift to yourself and to your family.

Happy Mother’s Day from the whole team at RAW Active Personal Training. Here’s to strong mums, happy mums, and the beautiful journey of motherhood.