Jackie's Mom•Logic: Everything I need to know I learned from my pilates friend.

"She's 52 years old, still happily married after decades together, and looks absolutely fantastic. She just spent the holidays with her grown kids, their significant others, and her grandchild—who she just can't get enough of. She exudes peace and contentment, and I want to be like her. Every Saturday morning, she works out next to me while I bust my mother-of-two-small-kids butt, trying to get my 36-year-old body in shape. Last week, in the middle of class, I heard myself blurt out, "You're 52, I'm 36—what would you do differently if you were my age?" She wasn't alarmed by my sudden personal question. In fact, she just smiled and gave it some thought.

What she told me wasn't a shock, but it has opened my eyes. She worked full-time while raising her kids—I had to know, did she regret it? No. Although she wishes she had more time with them, she told me that her kids are now successful adults who have a great work ethic, possibly due to seeing her work hard while they were growing up. She also told me three very important things that all young Moms should try to establish now and not wait:

• Just be. Spend more time playing, reading, and talking with your kids, rather than worrying about all that needs to be done. As we've heard time and time again, you blink and they're grown. Appreciate them now.
• Establish healthy habits NOW. Eating well and exercise will make all the difference through the years. While she feels like she's now catching up in her 50s, it would be even more beneficial if she'd begun making changes when she was younger.
• Feed your soul. Whether it's volunteer work, yoga, religion, or something else, it's important to do something that makes you feel like you're making a contribution to society or yourself. A happy Mommy is a good Mommy.

That class was the perfect reminder for me, and I hope others could benefit from it too."